On This Day...The Amazing Adventure of Ernest Bliss (1937)

 The Amazing Adventure of Ernest Bliss was Cary Grant's 26th film, and was released in 1937 on this date.

Summary:

Ernest Bliss (Cary Grant) is a rich young man with too little to do. Not realizing the depression he's in is due to boredom, Ernest consults a doctor. Sir James Aldroyd gives Ernest a prescription that he doesn't think Ernest can fill: Ernest must earn his own living for one year using none of his current wealth. Ernest bets him 50,000 English pounds that he can.

"Mr. Cary Grant helps it along with a smooth and tactful performance."

- The Times (London)

"Cary Grant looks and acts the part with deft characterization." 

- Joshua Lowe,Variety

Cast:

 Cary Grant ... Ernest Bliss
 Mary Brian ... Frances Clayton
 Peter Gawthorne ... Sir James Alroyd
 Henry Kendall ... Lord Honiton
 Leon M. Lion ... Dorrington
 John Turnbull ... Masters
 Arthur Hardy ... Crawley
 Iris Ashley ... Clare
 Garry Marsh ... The Buyer
 Andreas Malandrinos ... Guiseppi
 Marie Wright ... Mrs. Heath
 Buena Bent ... Mrs. Mott
 Charles Farrell ... Scales
 Quinton McPherson ... Clowes 

Did You Know:

The failure of the original copyright holder to renew the film's copyright resulted in it falling into public domain, meaning that virtually anyone could duplicate and sell a VHS/DVD copy of the film. Therefore, many of the versions of this film available on the market are either severely (and usually badly) edited and/or of extremely poor quality, having been duped from second- or third-generation (or more) copies of the film.

The film was re-issued in the United States in 1937 under the title "The Amazing Adventure" (also alternatively "Romance and Riches"), and was edited down from the original UK running time of 80 minutes, to 61 minutes. Most prints these days are the shorter one.

Quotes:

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!


Ernest Bliss: Rather difficult man to see, aren't you, Sir James?
Sir James Alroyd: Not for those who are punctual. Any other complaints?


Sir James Alroyd: What do you think's the matter with you?
Ernest Bliss: I don't know. That's why I came to see you. I can't eat. I can't sleep. I'm nervous. I never do anything, and I'm always tired.


Ernest Bliss: Well, then, what's the matter with me?
Sir James Alroyd: Money.
Ernest Bliss: Money. That' not an illness.
Sir James Alroyd: Mmmh. In your case, it's a disease.

Lobby Cards:

British release title : "Romance and Riches".

Directed by Alfred Zeisler.

Distributed by Grand National.

Running time: 70 minutes.

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley of Studio 36.