On This Day...Once Upon a Time (1944)

 Cary Grant's 45th film was Once Upon a Time and was released on this day in 1944.

Summary:

Small time crook and showman Jerry Flynn (Cary Grant) is desperately searching for a new act to promote in order to save him from ruin. He meets a boy on the street who claims to have a dancing caterpillar called Curly. Flynn seizes the opportunity for fame and fortune at Curly's expense.

"In spite of the good acting and characterizations by Cary Grant and Janet Blair, and especially by James Gleason as Flynn's assistant and Ted Donaldson as the beaming kid with great faith, there just isn't enough material here for a full length feature." - Philip T. Hartung, The Commonweal.

Cast:

Cary Grant... Jerry Flynn
Janet Blair... Jeannie Thompson
James Gleason... McGillicuddy aka The Moke
Ted Donaldson... Arthur 'Pinky' Thompson
William Demarest... Brandt

Did You Know?

Rita Hayworth was originally assigned the role of Jeannie Thompson, and when she refused to do it, was placed on a nine week suspension without pay by the head of Columbia, Harry Cohn, and subsequently replaced by Janet Blair.

"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on February 4, 1945 with Ted Donaldson reprising his film role.

Final film of actress June Millarde.

When Cary Grant goes down the spiral staircase, he descends clockwise. When the scene shoots to the "downstairs room" the staircase is turning counter clockwise as they descend to the bottom.

Quotes:

Jerry Flynn: What does the public need in times like these? Escape!

Posters:

'The Eternal Suitor' (Spanish title)

Directed by Alexander Hall.

Produced by Columbia.

Running Time: 89 minutes 

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley of Studio 36.