Thursday, July 30, 2020

On This Day...The Toast of New York (1937)

In the week that marks 100 years since Archie Leach landed in New York, and then went on to make a name for himself, it's fitting that on this day in 1937, we see the release of Cary Grant's 28th full length feature film, appropriately titled "The Toast of New York"!


Set at the outbreak of the American Civil War, it follows the dealings of medicine-show impresario come financial wizard, Jim Fisk (Edward Arnold). 


It is a romanticized biography of the real Jim Fisk whose actual life, if filmed accurately, would never pass the Hays Code guidelines.


Cary Grant plays Nick Boyd, one of Fisk's business partners.

With Frances Farmer and Edward Arnold

"The production is faultless and the morality of great wealth is a timely subject for a discussion..." 
- America 

With Edward Arnold and Jack Oakie.

"Frances Farmer...sings the new hit, "The First Time I Saw You." The scenarists have given Fisk two fictitious partners, Cary Grant for love-interest and Jack Oakie for comedy." - Literary Digest


Cast:

Jim Fisk                                Edward Arnold
Nick Boyd                            Cary Grant
Josie Mansfield                     Frances Farmer
Luke                                     Jack Oakie
Daniel Drew                         Donald Meek
Fleurigue                              Thelma Leeds
Vanderbilt                             Clarence Kolb
Photographer                        Billy Gilbert
Broker                                  George Irving
Lawyers                               Frank M. Thomas, Russell Hicks
Wallack                                Oscar Apfel
President of the Board          Lionel Belmore
Bellhop                                 Robert McClung
Janitor                                   Robert Dudley
Beef Dooley                         Dewey Robinson
Top Sergeant                        Stanley Fields
Major                                    Gavin Gordon
Mary Lou                              Joyce Compton
Virginia Lee                          Virginia Carroll


Lobby Cards:






Directed by Rowland V. Lee
Distributed and Produced by RKO Radio.
Running time: 109 minutes 

With Edward Arnold, Jack Oakie and Donald Meek.

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