Sunday, April 24, 2022

Quote From Today... Penny Serenade (1941)

  "I didn't know babies were so-so little. And then she took a-hold of my finger and I held onto it. She-she just sort of walked into my heart Judge"


With Beulah Bondi and Wallis Clark.     .

Penny Serenade was Cary Grant's 39th full length feature film.

Judge: [Judge firmly addressing two unseen attorneys] I'll give you an opportunity to better prepare your facts.

Man: [Hands Judge some papers] Adoption proceedings, the Adams case.

Judge: What?

Man: The Adams case.

Judge: [Looks disturbed] Oh yes, yes. Uh...

[turns back to attorneys]

Judge: ...if either one or both of you gentlemen conduct yourselves like you've been doing today I'll hold you in contempt, the both of ya!

Judge: [Walks into chambers, sees Roger, Miss Oliver, and the baby all seated. Sits at desk] Uh, oh this is the child in question. Ahem, let me see. Yes, I recall looking over these adoption papers. I see you have no income at present.

[Looks at Roger]

Judge: Is that correct?

Roger Adams: Yes your Honor.

Judge: Now what is this Miss Oliver? You know this case should never have come before me.

Miss Oliver: Well your Honor I feel that this is a special case. I kept hoping until the last minute Mr. Adams might be able to resume the operation of his paper or get a job. But unfortunately he hasn't been able to do either, so i thought...

Judge: Under these conditions I can't grant the adoption. This child will have to revert to the orphanage.

[Gestures to Roger]

Judge: Will you draw up a chair please while I prepare these release papers for you to sign? Just a matter of routine.

Roger Adams: If you please your Honor, it can't just be a matter of routine for people to have their baby taken away from them. This child is ours Judge...

Judge: [Interrupting] Those are the requirements of the law.

Roger Adams: Yes but you see we've had her since she was six weeks old. It just doesn't seem reasonable to give her back to-to-to strangers.

Judge: Mr. Adams, you're not here to plead your case. You've had the regular opportunity to prove your fitness to provide.

Roger Adams: We are *fit* Judge if you just look at the record.

Judge: Without any income I have no alternative. Didn't you make that clear Miss Oliver?

Miss Oliver: Yes your Honor I did, but I thought...

Judge: [Firmly] I'm sorry but that is the law.

Roger Adams: Look your Honor, she's not like an automobile or an icebox or a piece of furniture or something you buy on time and when you can't give up the payments they take it away from you!

[Baby starts to cry]

Roger Adams: Now sit still and be a good girl. Anyone could give up those kinds of things, but I ask you Judge how can you give up your own child? And she is our child just as much as if she'd been born to us!

[Baby continues crying]

Roger Adams: Now, now, Daddy's not going to go away.

[Baby stops crying and smiles]

Roger Adams: Look Judge, we've had her over a year now. Why we-we walked the floor with her when she had the colic. We've lost nights of sleep worrying every time she cut a tooth. We've gone through everything, everything real parents have with one of their own. Ask Miss Oliver here about the inspections we've had to have. Her-her weight charts, her vaccination certificates, h-her toys, her toothbrush! How many parents could keep one of their own and

[voice cracks]

Roger Adams: go through that? And you sit here and say it's a matter of routine for you to take her away from us.

Miss Oliver: Please! Mr. Adams...

Roger Adams: I'm sorry Judge, but we weren't as fortunate as most people. We would've had one of our own only-only... well you don't know how badly my wife wanted a child. It wasn't so important to me. I-I don't know, I suppose most men are like this but children never meant a great deal to me. Oh I liked them alright I suppose, but well what I'm trying to say is your Honor the first time I saw her... she looked so little and helpless. I didn't know babies were so-so little. And then she took a-hold of my finger and I held onto it. She-she just sort of walked into my heart Judge

[begins to cry]

Roger Adams: and-and she was there to stay. I didn't know I could feel like that! I'd always been well, kind of careless and irresponsible. I wanted to be a big shot. And I couldn't work for anybody, I had to be my own boss, that sort of thing. Now here I am standing in front of a judge pleading for just a little longer so that I can prove to you I can support a little child that doesn't weigh quite twenty pounds. It's not only for my wife and me I'm asking you to let us keep her Judge, it's for her sake too. She doesn't know any parents but us.

[starts sobbing]

Roger Adams: She wouldn't know what'd happened to her. You see there's so many little things about her that nobody would understand her the way Judy and I do. We love her Judge, please don't take her away from us. Look, I'm not a big shot now, I-I'll do anything, I'll work for anybody.

[Starts to break down]

Roger Adams: I-I'll beg, I'll borrow, I-I'll... please Judge I'll sell anything I've got until I get going again. And she'll never go hungry, she'll never be without clothes not so long as I've got two good hands so help me!

[Camera fades out as Judge, Roger, and Miss Oliver all ponder what has just been said]

Friday, April 8, 2022

Quote From Today... This Is The Night (1932)

  "Didn't you ever go in for athletics?"



With Charles Ruddles.

This is the Night was Cary Grant's 1st full length feature film.


Stephen Mathewson: Didn't you ever go in for athletics?

Bunny West: I used to jump at conclusions.

Sunday, April 3, 2022

Quote From Today... Big Brown Eyes (1936)

"Well, I just told ya. I don't know where I'm going."

With Joan Bennett.

Big Brown Eyes was Cary Grant's 22nd full length feature film.


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.

Friday, March 25, 2022

Quote From Today... Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)

It sounded less expensive to say, No!"



With Myrna Loy and Melvyn Douglas.


Mr Blandings Builds His Dream House was Cary Grant's 52nd full length feature film.


Carpenter Foreman: On them second floor lintels between the lally columns, do you want we should rabbet them or not?

[Long pause as Jim and Muriel look at him with puzzled frowns on their faces]

Jim Blandings: The, uh, second floor lallies?

Carpenter Foreman: Second floor lintels between the lallies.

Jim Blandings: Oh, the lintels between the lallies?

Carpenter Foreman: Yeah, from the blueprints you can't tell. You want they should be rabbeted?

Jim Blandings: No, no. I guess not.

Carpenter Foreman: Okay. You're the doctor.

[He calls out to his workers]

Carpenter Foreman: Hey fellas. If you got any of them rabbeted lintels set, rip 'em out.

[Sound of nails being pried out, and scene of pieces of wood dropping onto the floor around Jim and Muriel]

Jim Blandings: It sounded less expensive to say, No!

Friday, March 18, 2022

Quote From Today... Bringing Up Baby (1938)

 

"When they find out who you are they'll pad the cell."


With  Katharine Hepburn.

Bringing Up Baby was Cary Grant's 30th full length feature film.


Susan: Anyway, David, when they find out who we are they'll let us out.
David: When they find out who you are they'll pad the cell.

Sunday, March 6, 2022

Quote From Today... The Amazing Adventure of Ernest Bliss (1937)

 "Here's to us!" 

The Amazing Adventure of Ernest Bliss was Cary Grant's 26th full length feature film.

Ernest Bliss: Here's to us!

[They drink the wine as she laughs softly]

Ernest Bliss: Ah, but it's good!

Frances Clayton: It's lovely!

Ernest Bliss: So cheap, my goodness, I thought it would taste like red ink. Fancy, it's magic. Yes, it's your magic too! It's you who turned this cheap wine, this cheap food into a feast for the gods. 

Sunday, February 27, 2022

Quote from Today... When You're In Love (1937)

  "Can I Help it?"



When You're In Love was Cary Grant's 25th full length feature film.


Hotel Manager: You have already made of me one picture. You make me look like a bum.

Jimmy Hudson: Can I help it?

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Quote From Today...The Woman Accused (1933)

 "..How about three times around the deck before breakfast?"


With Nancy Carroll.

The Woman Accused was Cary Grant's 9th full length feature film.



Jeffrey Baxter : How are you my Sweet?..How about three times around the deck before breakfast?

Quote From Today...Gunga Din (1939)

"What do you think I want to break out of - a bloomin' pudding?"


With Sam Jaffe.

Gunga Din (1939) was Cary Grant's 32nd full length feature film.

Sgt. Archibald Cutter: Now get me some tools. Something to rip these blinking bars out.
Gunga Din: Already bring all tools could find. Is this satisfactory, sahib?

[holds up a fork]

Sgt. Archibald Cutter: Look... What do you think I want to break out of - a bloomin' pudding? Now go on, get something big.

[Din returns with an elephant]

Sgt. Archibald Cutter: What are you doing, Din?
Gunga Din: The large tool you asked for, sahib.

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Quote From Today....Wings In The Dark (1935)

"I was just thinking how crazy I was not to take a good look at you when I had the chance."

With Myrna Loy.


Wings In The Dark (1935) was Cary Grant's 19th full-length feature film.


Sheila Mason: What are you thinking about?
Ken Gordon: I was just thinking how crazy I was not to take a good look at you when I had the chance.
Sheila Mason: Don't you remember at all?
Ken Gordon: Pretty well, but I'm not sure. Tell me.
Sheila Mason: Oh, I'm a sort of low wing, single-motored monoplane type. You've seen hundreds of them.
Ken Gordon: I don't believe it. Tell me more.
Sheila Mason: Let's see. I have reddish hair, snub nose, freckles, plenty of freckles.
Ken Gordon: What else?
Sheila Mason: Well, a little under medium length, fair wing spread, stream-lined, so they tell me.
Ken Gordon: Sounds fascinating.


Thursday, January 27, 2022

On This Day...She Done Him Wrong (1933)

 Cary Grant's 8th full length film, She Done Him Wrong, was released on this day in 1933.



Summary:

Lady Lou (Mae West) - a successful saloon singer with many men interested in her - is interested in many men. She is warned by her jealous boyfriend and prison inmate, Chick Clark (Owen Moore), is in not to double cross him or he'll find a way out and kill her. Despite the warning, Lou takes an interest in head of the Salvation Army-type Mission located next door, Captain Cummings (Cary Grant). On hearing the mission can't pay their rent, Lou buys the building so they - and the Captain - can stay. Clark breaks out of prison and heads straight to Lou's saloon....

Cast:

Mae West...Lady Lou
Cary Grant...Captain Cummings
Owen Moore...Chick Clark
Gilbert Roland...Serge Stanieff
Noah Beery...Gus Jordan (as Noah Beery Sr.)
David Landau...Dan Flynn
Rafaela Ottiano...Russian Rita
Dewey Robinson...Spider Kane
Rochelle Hudson...Sally
Tammany Young...Chuck Connors
Fuzzy Knight...Rag Time Kelly
Grace La Rue...Frances
Robert Homans...Doheney (as Robert E. Homans)
Louise Beavers...Pearl



Did You Know?

The National Legion of Decency was formed in October of 1933, six months after the release of this film. Legion officials cited Mae West and the film as one of the major reasons for the "necessity" of the organization.

"Diamond Lil", the play on which this was based, originally opened Apr. 9, 1928 at the Royale Theatre and ran for 176 performances. It was revived 3 times between 1949 and 1951, each time starring Mae West.

Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania removed the song "A Guy What Takes His Time". Will H. Hays and Adolph Zukor went to New York to edit the song to an entrance by Mae West, one opening verse, and one closing verse to lessen the suggestiveness. Despite this, Ohio and Pennsylvania cut all of West's one liners.

Taglines:

"YOU CAN BE HAD!" she told him! (Print Ad- The Dispatch, ((Lexington, NC)) 6 February 1933)

The Darling of Broadway Gives a Hot Time to the Nation. (Print Ad-Newark Sunday Call, ((Newark, NJ)) 2 April 1933)

Quotes:

Captain Cummings: Well, surely you don't mind my holding your hand?
Lady Lou: It ain't heavy - I can hold it myself.

Captain Cummings: I'm anxious not to see you mixed up in it. But I guess I'm taking your time.
Lady Lou: What do you suppose my time's for?

Lady Lou: Why don't you come up sometime, huh?
Captain Cummings: Well, I...
Lady Lou: Don't be afraid. I won't tell.
Captain Cummings: But, eh...
Lady Lou: Come up. I'll tell your fortune.

Lady Lou: Yes, I wasn't always rich.
Pearl: No?
Lady Lou: No, there was a time I didn't know where my next husband was coming from.

Frances: You know, ever since I sang that song it's been haunting me.
Rag Time Kelly: It SHOULD haunt you: You murdered it.


Posters:






Directed by Lowell Sherman.
Produced and Distributed by Paramount Publix.
Running time: 66 minutes.



Artwork by Rebekah Hawley of Studio 36.

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

On This Day... Room For One More (1952)

Cary Grant's 57th full length feature film, Room For One More, was released today, back in 1952. 


Summary: 

The Rose family is anything but the average American family. With four children plus an assortment of stray animals, they still manage to find Room For One More. The parents of three children and two more adopted, George Rose (Cary Grant) and his enthusiastic wife, Anna (Betsy Drake), already lead busy lives. But when homeless children need love and understanding, this special couple open their hearts and their home. Inspired by a true story, this charming family comedy celebrates life and love.


Cast:

Cary Grant...George Rose
Betsy Drake...Anna Perrott Rose
Lurene Tuttle...Miss Kenyon
Randy Stuart...Gladys Foreman
John Ridgely...Harry Foreman
Irving Bacon...Mayor Michael J. Kane
Mary Treen...Grace Roberts (as Mary Lou Treen)
Iris Mann...Jane Miller
George Winslow...Teenie
Clifford Tatum Jr....Jimmy John Wilson
Gay Gordon...Trot
Malcolm Cassell...Tim
Larry Olsen...Benji Roberts


Did You Know?

The $25.00 for Jane's formal gown equated to nearly $250.00 in 2020.

When George opens the book of "collected poems" he gave his son as a birthday present, the visible pages are clearly prose, not poetry.

Instead of the traditional "The End", this film ends with the French word "Bonsoir", which means "Good Evening" and is repeatedly said by the Cary Grant's character during the movie.


Quotes:

George 'Poppy' Rose: [to the dog after the kids give an anonymous vote] It was anonymous eh? Who did you vote for?

George 'Poppy' Rose: [Trying to get past a boy and Jane eating donuts on a crowded staircase] I hate to come between you and the donuts, but that's life.



George 'Poppy' Rose: [as raft self inflates under his desk and he's trying to hold it down] I'm holding down more than I can handle as it is.

Anna Perrott Rose: This child has been through a lot. She's a disturbed adolescent.
George 'Poppy' Rose: I'm a disturbed adult.



Posters and Lobby Cards:




Directed by Norman Taurog.
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Running time: 97 minutes.



Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36.


Tuesday, January 18, 2022

On This Day... His Girl Friday (1940)

 Cary Grant's 35th full length film, His Girl Friday, was released on this day in 1940.

Summary:

Editor of The Morning Post, Walter Burns (Cary Grant), is about to lose his ex-wife and the newspaper's best reporter, Hildy Johnson (Rosalind Russell), when she moves to Albany with her insurance agent fiancé, Bruce Baldwin (Ralph Bellamy).  Hildy wants to leave journalism behind to live a normal life with someone who will never take her for granted.  To win back both his top journalist and the love of his life, Walter has to persuade Hildy into accepting one last story she won't be able to resist--the impending execution of  convicted murderer, Earl Williams (John Qualen).  Can Hildy renounce her passion for journalism, and Walter, the exciting man who never stopped loving her?



Cast:

Cary Grant...Walter Burns
Rosalind Russell...Hildy Johnson
Ralph Bellamy...Bruce Baldwin
Gene Lockhart...Sheriff Hartwell
Porter Hall...Murphy
Ernest Truex...Bensinger
Cliff Edwards...Endicott
Clarence Kolb...Mayor
Roscoe Karns...McCue
Frank Jenks...Wilson
Regis Toomey ...Sanders
Abner Biberman...Louie
Frank Orth...Duffy
John Qualen...Earl Williams
Helen Mack...Mollie Malloy
Alma Kruger...Mrs Baldwin
Billy Gilbert...Joe Pettibone
Pat West...Warden Cooley
Edwin Maxwell...Dr. Egelhoffer


Did You Know?

One of the first films (preceded by "Stage Door" (1937)) to have characters talk over the lines of other characters, for a more realistic sound. Prior to this, movie characters completed their lines before the next lines were started.

The film finished shooting seven days behind schedule. The delays were caused by the complexity of shooting the rapid-fire dialogue, which had to be carefully timed with business and movement. The restaurant scene in which Burns takes Hildy and Bruce to lunch took four days to shoot. The original schedule had only allotted two days for the scene.


To maintain the fast pace, Howard Hawks encouraged his cast to add dialogue and funny bits of business and step on each others lines whenever possible.

This motion picture was released nationally on Cary Grant's 36th birthday.

Quotes:

Walter Burns: There's been a lamp burning in the window for ya, honey... here.
Hildy Johnson: Oh, I jumped out that window a long time ago.

Hildy Johnson: A big fat lummox like you hiring an airplane to write: "Hildy, don't be hasty. Remember my dimple. Walter." Delayed our divorce 20 minutes while the judge went out and watched it.


Hildy Johnson: He's kind and he's sweet and he's considerate. He wants a home and children.
Walter Burns: Sounds more like a guy I ought to marry.

Walter Burns: You've got the brain of a pancake. This isn't just a story you're covering - it's a revolution. This is the greatest yarn in journalism since Livingstone discovered Stanley.
Hildy Johnson: It's the other way around.
Walter Burns: Oh, well, don't get technical at a time like this.


Lobby Cards and Posters:



Directed by Howard Hawks
Produced and Distributed by Columbia.
Running time: 92 minutes.



Artwork by Rebekah Hawley of Studio 36.


Monday, January 17, 2022

On This Day... The Philadelphia Story (1941)

Released today back in 1941, The Philadelphia Story was Cary Grant's 38th full length feature film.



Summary:

After getting a divorce from C. K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant), Philadelphia heiress, Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn), prepares to marry George Kittredge (John Howard). 


Days before her wedding, however, Haven and reporter, Macaulay Connor (James Stewart), show up at her doorstep. From there, Tracy is forced to choose among her past love, her present love, and her new love.


Cast:

Cary Grant...C. K. Dexter Haven
Katharine Hepburn...Tracy Lord
James Stewart...Macaulay Connor
Ruth Hussey...Elizabeth Imbrie
John Howard...George Kittredge
Roland Young...Uncle Willie
John Halliday...Seth Lord
Mary Nash...Margaret Lord
Virginia Weidler...Dinah Lord
Henry Daniell...Sidney Kidd
Lionel Pape...Edward
Rex Evans...Thomas


Did You Know?

Cary Grant only agreed to appear in the film as long as he got top billing. As Katharine Hepburn was dubbed "box office poison" at the time, this demand was readily agreed to.  His salary, $137,000, a huge amount at the time, he donated in its entirety to the British War Relief Fund.

Cary Grant was given the choice of which of the two male lead roles he wanted to play.


During the conversation between Mike and Dexter at Dexter's mansion, Mike hiccuped and Dexter said, "Excuse me." This was ad-libbed by Cary Grant, and caused James Stewart to reply, "Huh?" and smile. Grant then turned his head to stifle his laughter and said, "Nothing."


Quotes:

George Kittredge: But a man expects his wife to...
Tracy Lord: Behave herself. Naturally.
C. K. Dexter Haven: To behave herself naturally.
[George gives him a look]
C. K. Dexter Haven: Sorry.

Tracy Lord: Dexter, say something.
C. K. Dexter Haven: Well, I...
Tracy Lord: Oh, Dexter, I'm such an unholy mess of a girl.
C. K. Dexter Haven: Well, that's no good. That's not even conversation.


Tracy Lord: You seem quite contemptuous of me all of a sudden.
C. K. Dexter Haven: No Red, not of you, never of you.

Elizabeth Imbrie: We've come for the body of Macaulay Connor.
C. K. Dexter Haven: I'm so glad you came. Can you use a typewriter?
Elizabeth Imbrie: No, thanks, I've got one at home.

C. K. Dexter Haven: Of course, Mr. Connor, she's a girl who is generous to a fault.
Tracy Lord: To a fault.
C. K. Dexter Haven: Except to other people's faults.

Margaret Lord: The course of true love...
Macaulay Connor: ...gathers no moss.


Lobby Cards and Posters:





Directed by George Cukor.
Produced and Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Running time: 112 minutes.



Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36.