On This Day...Big Brown Eyes (1936)

 Cary Grant's 22nd full length film was Big Brown Eyes, and was released on this date back in 1936. It was his first of two films starring alongside Joan Bennett.

Summary:

Sassy manicurist Eve Fallon (Joan Bennett) is recruited as an even more brassy reporter and she helps police detective boyfriend Danny Barr (Cary Grant) break a jewel theft ring and solve the murder of a baby.

"The one faint disappointment was the work of Cary Grant, who seemed slightly ill at ease as the two fisted detective. Grant has turned in one capable performance after another. In this, he somehow didn't click. Perhaps it is that his innate good breeding subconsciously rebels against the role of a good-natured plebian. But don't misunderstand. His portrayal offered no point of criticism; it simply had, with the exception of one scene, nothing to recommend it. But watch for his brief little impersonation of a girl friend on the make, a clever bit of pantomime."

- Paul Jacobs, Hollywood Spectator

Cast:

 Cary Grant ... Danny Barr
 Joan Bennett ... Eve Fallon
 Walter Pidgeon ... Richard Morey
 Lloyd Nolan ... Russ Cortig
Alan Baxter ... Cary Butler
 Marjorie Gateson ... Mrs. Cole
 Isabel Jewell ... Bessie Blair
Douglas Fowley ... Benny Battle
 Henry Brandon ... Don Butler (as Henry Kleinbach)
 Joe Sawyer ... Jack Sully
 Dolores Casey ... Cashier
 Doris Canfield ... Myrtle
 Edwin Maxwell ... Editor

Did You Know ?

Cary Grant's first of two films with Joan Bennett. The second was Wedding Present released in the same year ,1936.

Quotes:

Danny Barr: [stopping Eve from telephoning] Wait a minute, will you, honey?
[Eve smacks his hand from the phone]
Danny Barr: Oh, how I wish you were a man!
Eve Fallon: Same to you.

Danny Barr: Why don't you listen to reason?
Eve Fallon: I'm not in the listening mood. My ears are tired.

Eve Fallon: Where are you going?
Danny Barr: I don't know yet. I haven't made up my mind.
Eve Fallon: Can I go with you?
Danny Barr: Where?
Eve Fallon: Where you're going.
Danny Barr: Well, I just told ya. I don't know where I'm going.
Eve Fallon: Well, when do you leave?
Danny Barr: I don't know that either.
Eve Fallon: Well, why can't you take me along?
Danny Barr: Where?
Eve Fallon: That's what I'm asking you.
Danny Barr: I'm asking you that.
Eve Fallon: Say, who's going - you or me?
Danny Barr: Where?
Eve Fallon: I don't know. I'm not going - you are.
Danny Barr: Well look, what time is it?
Eve Fallon: What time does your train leave?
Danny Barr: How do you know I'm going by train? I might be going by boat.
Eve Fallon: What kind of a boat?
Danny Barr: I don't know. I haven't seen it yet.

Lobby Cards and Posters:

"Big Dark Eyes" - Italian.

"Miss Detective" - Swedish.

Directed by Raoul Walsh.

Distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Running time: 76 minutes.

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley of Studio 36.