On This Day... Sylvia Scarlett (1936)

 Released today back in 1936, Sylvia Scarlett was Cary Grant's 21st full length feature film.

Summary:

When her father (Edmund Gwenn) decides to flee to England, young Sylvia Scarlett (Katharine Hepburn) decides to become Sylvester Scarlett to try and protect her father in his new life, with the questionable help of Jimmy Monkley (Cary Grant) and Maudie Tilt (Dennie Moore).

Cast:

Katharine Hepburn...Sylvia Scarlett a.k.a. Sylvester

Cary Grant...Jimmy Monkley

Brian Aherne...Michael Fane

Edmund Gwenn...Henry Scarlett

Dennie Moore...Maudie Tilt - the Maid (uncredited)

Did You Know?:

After a disastrous preview, director George Cukor introduced the Marseilles scene as an introduction to the original film, thus showing the feminine Sylvia Scarlett, with tresses and in a skirt, before showing the tom-boyish side of the character.

Despite the poor reviews of the movie, most critics noted the performance of Cary Grant. It has since been recognized as one of Grant's break-out performances.

Henry tells Jimmy the thirty yards of lace he is smuggling is worth 50 quid (pounds). That would equate to $250 at the time or $4,730 in 2019.

Quotes:

Sylvia Scarlett: Well, we're all fools sometimes. Only you choose such awkward times.

Sylvia Scarlett: You've got the mind of a pig.

Jimmy Monkley: It's a pig's world.

Posters:

Directed by George Cukor.

Produced and Distributed by RKO Radio.

Running time: 94 minutes.

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36.

On This Day... Destination Tokyo (1944)

Released today back in 1944, Destination Tokyo was Cary Grant's 44th full length feature film.

Summary:

In the early days of World War II, under the command of Captain Cassidy (Cary Grant), the U.S.S. Copperfin sails for Tokyo Bay. 

The submarine's secret mission is to enter the bay without being detected.  They must then place a landing party ashore to obtain vital information for the upcoming Doolittle air raid on Tokyo.

Cast:

Cary Grant...Capt. Cassidy

John Garfield...Wolf

Alan Hale...'Cookie' Wainwright

John Ridgely...Reserve Officer Raymond

Dane Clark...Tin Can

Warner Anderson...Andy

William Prince...Pills

Robert Hutton...Tommy Adams

Tom Tully...Mike Conners

Faye Emerson...Mrs. Cassidy

Peter Whitney...Dakota

Warren Douglas...Larry

John Forsythe...Sparks

John Alvin...Sound Man

Bill Kennedy...Torpedo Gunnery Officer

Trailer:

Did You Know?

The Copperfin submarine was an exact scale model of a real US Navy submarine. However, for reasons of military security, equipment and operating mechanisms were of varying kinds and varieties not found on US submarines so the enemy could not get an accurate picture of what the interior of a Navy submarine looked like.

Two members of the real-life US Navy submarine Wahoo were consultants and technical advisers on this film, according to a story in the "New York Herald Tribune". They were crew member Andy Lennox and Lt. Cmdr. Dudley Walker Morton. As a way of saying "thank you" the chili and canned pumpkin used by "Cookie" is labeled as being made by "Lennox".

Tony Curtis, in an interview aired on TCM, recounted the day when he went into a theater and watched this film and saw Cary Grant peer through a periscope at Tokyo Bay. That moment "took his breath away" and inspired him to become an actor. Other reports state that Grant inspired Curtis to join the navy. Grant and Curtis would later star together in the World War II submarine comedy Operation Petticoat (1959).

In the scene where the planes get ready for takeoff from the aircraft carrier to attack Tokyo, the music incorporates the first four notes from Beethoven's Fifth Symphony (dah-dah-dah-daaaa). During WWII the notes were a sign for victory because they translate into the letter V in Morse Code (three dots and a dash).

Quotes:

Worker on Golden Gate Bridge: [as the USS Copperfin, returning from its perilous mission, transits beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, inbound for San Francisco] Hey Eddie, ya' think that sub saw any action?

Other worker on Golden Gate Bridge: [Dismissively] Nah... Probably just out for a couple of practice dives.

Reserve Officer Raymond: How'd you happen to volunteer for the submarine service, Captain?

Capt. Cassidy: [Coyly] Well, when I was a kid, I used to get a kick outta' swimming underwater.

Wolf: [During a particularly fierce depth-charging of the 'Copperfin'] I wonder how the invasion of Europe is getting along?

Lobby Cards:

Directed by Delmer Daves.

Produced and Distributed by Warner Brothers.

Running time: 135 minutes.

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36.

On This Day...Madame Butterfly (1932)

Cary Grant's 7th film, and the last film release of the year, Madame Butterfly, was released on today's date back in 1932. 

Summary: 

While on shore-leave in Japan, Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton (Cary Grant) and his friend,  Lieutenant Barton (Charles Ruggles), stop in at a local establishment to check out the food, drink and girls.  On meeting Cho-Cho San (Sylvia Sidney) Pinkerton immediately falls in lust. Barton advises Pinkerton that he can 'marry' this Japanese girl and freely enjoy himself, then sail on back to America unshackled, since in Japan abandonment equates to divorce.

 The years pass and Cho-Cho San still eagerly awaits the return of her husband and the opportunity to surprise him with their son.  When Pinkerton does finally arrive back in Japan to apologise to Cho-Cho San for his behaviour, he has his American bride by his side. 

Cast:

Sylvia Sidney...Cho-Cho San

Cary Grant...Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton

Charles Ruggles...Lt. Barton

Irving Pichel...Yomadori

Helen Jerome Eddy...Cho-Cho's mother

Edmund Breese...Cho-Cho's grandfather

Louise Carter...Suzuki

Sándor Kállay...Goro

Judith Vosselli ...Madame Goro

Sheila Terry...Mrs. Pinkerton

Dorothy Libaire...Peach Blossom

Berton Churchill...American Consul

Philip Horomato...Trouble

Quotes:

Madame Goro: So this is Cho-Cho-San; what distinction, what eyes, what teeth. And you speak also the English?

Cho-Cho San: Yes, I learned from visiting scholar. She teach me very high class Brooklyn accent.

Cho-Cho San: [Cho-Cho San has found Adelaide's photo in Pinkerton's trunk. She brings it to him with the pipe cleaners] I found them like this

Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton: Thank you very much, Cho-Cho San

[he puts the photo aside]

Cho-Cho San: She very beautiful, that American lady

Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton: Oh, I guess she'd pass in a crowd

Cho-Cho San: She some lady you know very well?

Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton: Sure, sure. We've known each other for years

Cho-Cho San: She love you very much, perhaps?

Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton: No, of course not

Cho-Cho San: [she picks up the photo and points to the inscription that reads 'To Bin with all my love always'] What this writing say?

Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton: Oh, that. That just says 'lots of luck'

Cho-Cho San: Oh. But maybe you very much in love with her?

Lieutenant B.F. Pinkerton: How can I have room in my heart for anyone but Madame Butterfly?

Taglines:

1933 Marches on!...with the great romantic drama of East and West NOW a MODERN love story! (Print Ad-Daily Star, ((Long Island City, NY)) 30 January 1933)

IT WILL BRING THUNDEROUS ACCLAIM...for a great love story done with consummate passion! (Print Ad- Greenfield Recorder, ((Greenfield Mass.)) 30 December 1932)

PARAMOUNT'S FOREMOST SCREEN PRODUCTION FOR 1933 

(Print Ad-Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, ((Pittsburgh, Penna.)) 8 February 1933)

Lobby Cards and Posters:

Directed by Marion Gering.

Distributed by Paramount Publix.

Running time: 86 minutes.

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36.

On This Day... Every Girl Should Be Married (1948)

 Released today back in 1948, Every Girl Should Be Married was Cary Grant's 53rd full length feature film.

Summary:

A wilful woman, Anabel Sims (Betsy Drake), concocts an elaborate scheme to trap a handsome pediatrician, Dr Madison Brown (Cary Grant), into marriage.

Cast:

Cary Grant...Dr. Madison Brown

Franchot Tone...Roger Sanford

Diana Lynn...Julie Howard

Betsy Drake...Anabel Sims

Alan Mowbray...Mr. Spitzer

Elisabeth Risdon...Mary Nolan

Richard Gaines...Sam McNutt

Harry Hayden...Gogarty

Chick Chandler...Soda Clerk

Leon Belasco...Violinist

Fred Essler...Pierre

Anna Q. Nilsson...Saleslady

Did You Know?

In a scene in his office between himself and his nurse-employee, Cary Grant performs a dead-on impression of his co-star Betsy Drake - whom he would soon marry in real life.

Based on a short story by Eleanor Harris that was published in the October 1947 edition of the Ladies' Home Journal.

Quotes:

Dr. Madison Brown: How in the world did Eve ever get Adam when she had no other woman to help her with the subtle little touches?

Roger Sanford: I've been married three times. I like marriage. My wives didn't but I do.

Julie Howard: Anabelle! Do you mean you're going to deliberately set out to trap him?

Anabel Sims: Well, I know it's dreadful but this is the kind of thing men force us to do.

Anabel Sims: You don't happen to know any millionaires, do you?

Julie Howard: If I did I'd avoid 'em.

Lobby Cards and Posters:

Directed by Don Hartman.

Distributed by RKO Radio.

Running time: 84 minutes.

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36.

On This Day... Father Goose (1964)

 Released today back in 1964, Father Goose was Cary Grant's 71st, and penultimate, full length feature film.

Summary:

On a South Sea island during WW2, Walter Eckland (Cary Grant) lives a quiet life. Everything changes when he's persuaded by the Allies to serve as lookout for enemy ships. 

As his main interest is drinking, Eckland proves bad at the job and is sent to another island to fetch his replacement....Only to find a stranded teacher, Catherine (Leslie Caron), and her pupils. After bringing the group back to his island, romantic sparks fly between Eckland and the schoolmistress.

Cast:

Cary Grant...Walter

Leslie Caron...Catherine

Trevor Howard...Houghton

Jack Goode...Stebbings

Sharyl Locke...Jenny

Pip Sparkes...Anne (as Pip Sparke)

Verina Greenlaw...Christine

Stephanie Berrington...Elizabeth

Jennifer Berrington...Harriet

Laurelle Felsette...Angelique

Nicole Felsette...Dominique

Did You Know?

Cary Grant plays a scruffy, whiskey-swilling beachcomber in this movie. He is considered to be cast against type for this role, quite antithetical to his suave, sophisticated, debonair on-screen persona. Even so, it does hark back to the light comedy roles from early in his career.

Production took about eight weeks in Hollywood at Universal Studios and about four weeks on location at a coconut plantation in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Frank's remark to Walter that the Japanese had taken Singapore that morning fixes the date the film opens as February 15, 1942. The official surrender, however, did not take place until 5:15 in the afternoon.

Quotes:

Commander Frank Houghton RAN: [after explaining the Coast-watching service] It's ary important work, Walter. Damned important. You'd might like to volunteer.

Walter Eckland: Oh, I'd love to, Frank! But, I've just signer on for another watching service: the "Watch Out for Walter Eckland" Service!

Lieutenant Stebbings RAN: A great many lives are at stake, Mr. Eckland!

Walter Eckland: Now listen to me, both of you! Now, several years ago, I made peace with the World. Now, if the World isn't bright enough to make peace with ITSELF, it's just going to have to settle things without me!

[catching a fish barehanded. A fish swims toward them]

Walter Eckland: [In a hushed voice] Hey, here she comes again.

Catherine Freneau: How do you know it's a "she"?

Walter Eckland: Her mouth is open, now be quiet.

Walter Eckland: [on the radio on his island] When do I get off?

Commander Frank Houghton RAN: I told you, as soon as we find a replacement for you. In the meantime, try to relax. Oh, and I'm very sorry about your boat. I really am.

Walter Eckland: Is Big Bad Wolf *really* sorry? Because if he is, Big Bad Wolf and Little Bo Peep can DO something for Mother Goose. THEY CAN GO...

[Stebbings cuts the radio off before any profanity goes through]

Commander Frank Houghton RAN: [to Stebbings] I don't really blame him, do you?

Lieutenant Stebbings RAN: Sir, I don't think we've accomplished anything. I don't think he'll report in. I mean, you can lead a horse to water, but can you make it drink?

Commander Frank Houghton RAN: [calmly] When he gets thirsty, he'll drink, Stebbings. He'll drink.

Lieutenant Stebbings RAN: Mother Goose is requesting a chaplain.

Commander Frank Houghton RAN: A chaplain? Good heavens, he's killed her.

Lieutenant Stebbings RAN: No, sir. They want to get married.

Commander Frank Houghton RAN: Married? Goody Two-Shoes and the Filthy Beast?

Lobby Cards:

Directed by Ralph Nelson.

Distributed by Universal-International.

Running time: 116 minutes.

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36.