On This Day...The Toast of New York (1937)

In the week that marks 100 years since Archie Leach landed in New York, and then went on to make a name for himself, it's fitting that on this day in 1937, we see the release of Cary Grant's 28th full length feature film, appropriately titled "The Toast of New York"!

Set at the outbreak of the American Civil War, it follows the dealings of medicine-show impresario come financial wizard, Jim Fisk (Edward Arnold). 

It is a romanticized biography of the real Jim Fisk whose actual life, if filmed accurately, would never pass the Hays Code guidelines.

Cary Grant plays Nick Boyd, one of Fisk's business partners.

With Frances Farmer and Edward Arnold

"The production is faultless and the morality of great wealth is a timely subject for a discussion..." 

- America 

With Edward Arnold and Jack Oakie.

"Frances Farmer...sings the new hit, "The First Time I Saw You." The scenarists have given Fisk two fictitious partners, Cary Grant for love-interest and Jack Oakie for comedy." - Literary Digest

Cast:

Jim Fisk                                Edward Arnold

Nick Boyd                            Cary Grant

Josie Mansfield                     Frances Farmer

Luke                                     Jack Oakie

Daniel Drew                         Donald Meek

Fleurigue                              Thelma Leeds

Vanderbilt                             Clarence Kolb

Photographer                        Billy Gilbert

Broker                                  George Irving

Lawyers                               Frank M. Thomas, Russell Hicks

Wallack                                Oscar Apfel

President of the Board          Lionel Belmore

Bellhop                                 Robert McClung

Janitor                                   Robert Dudley

Beef Dooley                         Dewey Robinson

Top Sergeant                        Stanley Fields

Major                                    Gavin Gordon

Mary Lou                              Joyce Compton

Virginia Lee                          Virginia Carroll

Lobby Cards:

Directed by Rowland V. Lee

Distributed and Produced by RKO Radio.

Running time: 109 minutes 

With Edward Arnold, Jack Oakie and Donald Meek.

On This Day...New York, New York! (1920)

On this day, 28th July 1920, Archie Leach first glimpsed the New York skyline. Landing at Pier 59.

Pier 59.

R.M.S Olympic at Pier 59 in the 1920's.

After staying behind in New York, Archie was to spend the best part of a decade, in New York, appearing in numerous shows.

Introducing ...Archie Leach.

Better Times: 

Hippodrome Theatre,

Sixth Ave. bet W.42nd and W.44th, New York.

Exterior of the Hippodrome.

Interior of the auditorium.

Its revolving stage stretched virtually the entire distance between the numbered thoroughfares.

The ballet corps numbered eighty, the chorus contained one hundred members and required a backstage staff of around eight hundred.

It could also present water ballets.

Cover for the souvenir book for "Better Times"

In "The Land of Mystery" episode, Archie was one of The Joyful Girls.

In the twelfth episode he was one of the Meistersingers.

Opened: 2/9/1922

Closed: 28/4/1923

Total Performances: 405

Music by Raymond Hubbell and Lyrics by R.H. Burnside.

Golden Dawn:

Hammerstein's Theatre.

1697 Broadway at W.53rd Street.

Exterior of Hammerstein's (now the Ed Sullivan).

Interior of the auditorium.

Typical booklet cover.

Archie played Anzac in "Golden Dawn"

Opened: 30/11/1927

Closed: 5/5/1928

Total Performances: 184

Music by Herbert P. Stothart, Emmerick Kalman and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Otto Harbach.

Boom Boom:

Casino Theatre,

1404 Broadway (W.39th)

Exterior of the Casino Theatre.

Interiors of the auditorium.

Booklet cover. Archie played "Reggie Phipps, alongside Jeanette MacDonald.

Cover for the sheet music.

Opened: 28/1/1929

Closed: 30/3/1929

Total Performances: 72

Music by Werner Janssen and Lyrics by Mann Holiner and J. Keirn Brennan.

A Wonderful Night:

Majestic Theatre,

245 W. 44th Street.

Exterior of the Majestic.

Interiors of the auditorium.

Booklet cover.

Archie appeared as "Max Grunewald"

Opened: 31/10/1929

Closed: 15/2/1930

Total Performances: 125

Nikki:

Longacre Theatre,

220 W.48th Street.

Exterior of Longacre Theatre.

Interior of the auditorium.

Archie played "Cary Lockwood", the character from who he took his first name.

The show also starred Fay Wray.

Opened: 29/9/1931

Closed: 31/10/1931

Total Performances: 39

More Stage Appearances:

The Municipal Opera.

At the "Muny" (fifth from the left).

Archie is listed as appearing in:

"Three Little Girls"

"The Street Singer"

"Music In May"

"The Three Musketeers"

"A Wonderful Night" (See above)

"Irene"

and "Rio Rita".

In "The Three Musketeers".

Also appearing in a Pre-Broadway Premiere at the Shubert Playhouse in Wilmington, Delaware.

It was a flop!! Running from 31/10/1928 - 3/11/1928.

An early stage appearance.

On This Day...Suzy (1936)

Suzy was Cary Grant's 23rd full length feature film.

Cary Grant plays Andre Charville, a famous French aviator, who marries a showgirl, Suzy(Jean Harlow). Suzy has fled to France after her Husband, Terry Moore(Franchot Tone) is killed...or was he?

With Jean Harlow as Suzy.

"Performances are excellent...Cary Grant, too, is something more than just a leading man. Since his outstanding performance in Sylvia Scarlett, his talents for varied characterizations have been recognized, and in each new venture he makes good." - Hollywood Spectator

With Jean Harlow and George Davis.

"Direction by George Fitzmaurice is brilliant, and he has had the foresight to insist on new treatment for scenes which, otherwise, would be much like dozens of scenes in dozens of other spy and war films." - Literary Digest

With Franchot Tone and Jean Harlow.

Cast:

Suzy                            Jean Harlow

Terry                           Franchot Tone

Andre                         Cary Grant

Baron                          Lewis Stone

Madame Eyrelle          Benita Hume

Captain Barsanges       Reginald Mason

Maisie                         Inez Courtney

Mrs. Schmidt               Greta Mayer

"Knobby"                     David Clyde

"Pop" Gaspard             Christian Rub

Gaston                        George Spelvin

Landlady                    Una O'Connor

Producer                     Charles Judels

Revue producer           Theodore Von Eltz

Officer                        Stanley Morner

Publicity photograph with Jean Harlow and Franchot Tone.

Lobby Cards:

Directed by George Fitzmaurice.

Distributed and Produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Running time: 95 minutes.

With Jean Harlow.