On This Day...In Name Only (1939)

 On today's date back in 1939, Cary Grant's 34th full length feature film, In Name Only, was released. 

Summary: 

Life starts to get complicated wealthy Alec Walker (Cary Grant), who falls for widow, Julie Eden (Carole Lombard)….but doesn’t tell her he is already trapped in a loveless marriage to gold digger, Maida (Kay Francis). The two women meet by coincidence but their reactions to each other are very different.

Cast:

Carole Lombard...Julie Eden

Cary Grant...Alec Walker

Kay Francis...Maida Walker

Charles Coburn...Mr. Walker

Helen Vinson...Suzanne Duross

Katharine Alexander...Laura

Jonathan Hale...Dr. Gateson

Nella Walker...Mrs. Walker

Alan Baxter...Charley

Maurice Moscovitch....Dr. Muller (as Maurice Moscovich)

Peggy Ann Garner...Ellen

Spencer Charters...Gardener

Did You Know?

This movie was intended to be a reunion for Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn, but following the failure of Bringing Up Baby (1938) at the box office from the previous year, Hepburn left RKO being after deemed "Box Office Poison". Carole Lombard was subsequently brought in as her replacement.  This film was a success at the box office, earning RKO a profit of $155,000 ($2.78M in 2019) according to studio records.

The front of the Walkers' home, used in the scene where Lombard's character arrives at the wife's garden party, is actually the front portico of the old Selznick Studio in Culver City, where Gone With the Wind was being filmed at the same time this was made.

According to contemporary articles in The Hollywood Reporter, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. was to play the role of Alex Walker.

"Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on December 11, 1939 with Carole Lombard, Cary Grant and Kay Francis reprising their film roles.

Quotes:

Suzanne: I told you I had to see you.

Alec Walker: Now that you've found me, what about it?

Suzanne: Honestly, Alec, you're so direct!

Alec Walker: You're not exactly oblique yourself.

Suzanne: Merely because I happen to think you're attractive, you want me to throw my whole life away. What kind of a person do you think I am anyway?

Alec Walker: An Easter bunny.

Alec Walker: You call that love, huh?

Suzanne: Who are you to be so high and mighty about love? You and that thing you've got with Maida! Of all the shams I've ever seen, that's the worst. You didn't think you could make a fool out of me, did you?

Alec Walker: I tried.

Manager - Tony's Cafe: Glad to see you come in so regular, Mr. Walker. You know, I like to have your kind of folks. You might drop the word to your friends.

Alec Walker: Tony, when my friends start coming here, I stop.

Maida Walker: Go on back. There's no reason for a goodbye scene, is there?

Alec Walker: Oh, I just want to thank you again. I do thank you, you know.

Maida Walker: It's all so sporting. The way it is in books.

Alec Walker: Or prizefights.

Julie Eden: Darling, I'm so hungry, I could eat a horse.

Alec Walker: Well, I doubt if they serve them; however, we'll try.

Posters and Lobby Cards:

Directed by John Cromwell

Produced and distributed by RKO Radio.

Running time: 94 minutes.

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36.