On This Day... Room For One More (1952)

Cary Grant's 57th full length feature film, Room For One More, was released today, back in 1952. 

Summary: 

The Rose family is anything but the average American family. With four children plus an assortment of stray animals, they still manage to find Room For One More. The parents of three children and two more adopted, George Rose (Cary Grant) and his enthusiastic wife, Anna (Betsy Drake), already lead busy lives. But when homeless children need love and understanding, this special couple open their hearts and their home. Inspired by a true story, this charming family comedy celebrates life and love.

Cast:

Cary Grant...George Rose

Betsy Drake...Anna Perrott Rose

Lurene Tuttle...Miss Kenyon

Randy Stuart...Gladys Foreman

John Ridgely...Harry Foreman

Irving Bacon...Mayor Michael J. Kane

Mary Treen...Grace Roberts (as Mary Lou Treen)

Iris Mann...Jane Miller

George Winslow...Teenie

Clifford Tatum Jr....Jimmy John Wilson

Gay Gordon...Trot

Malcolm Cassell...Tim

Larry Olsen...Benji Roberts

Did You Know?

The $25.00 for Jane's formal gown equated to nearly $250.00 in 2020.

When George opens the book of "collected poems" he gave his son as a birthday present, the visible pages are clearly prose, not poetry.

Instead of the traditional "The End", this film ends with the French word "Bonsoir", which means "Good Evening" and is repeatedly said by the Cary Grant's character during the movie.

Quotes:

George 'Poppy' Rose: [to the dog after the kids give an anonymous vote] It was anonymous eh? Who did you vote for?

George 'Poppy' Rose: [Trying to get past a boy and Jane eating donuts on a crowded staircase] I hate to come between you and the donuts, but that's life.

George 'Poppy' Rose: [as raft self inflates under his desk and he's trying to hold it down] I'm holding down more than I can handle as it is.

Anna Perrott Rose: This child has been through a lot. She's a disturbed adolescent.

George 'Poppy' Rose: I'm a disturbed adult.

Posters and Lobby Cards:

Directed by Norman Taurog.

Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Running time: 97 minutes.

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36.

On This Day... His Girl Friday (1940)

 Cary Grant's 35th full length film, His Girl Friday, was released on this day in 1940.

Summary:

Editor of The Morning Post, Walter Burns (Cary Grant), is about to lose his ex-wife and the newspaper's best reporter, Hildy Johnson (Rosalind Russell), when she moves to Albany with her insurance agent fiancé, Bruce Baldwin (Ralph Bellamy).  Hildy wants to leave journalism behind to live a normal life with someone who will never take her for granted.  To win back both his top journalist and the love of his life, Walter has to persuade Hildy into accepting one last story she won't be able to resist--the impending execution of  convicted murderer, Earl Williams (John Qualen).  Can Hildy renounce her passion for journalism, and Walter, the exciting man who never stopped loving her?

Cast:

Cary Grant...Walter Burns

Rosalind Russell...Hildy Johnson

Ralph Bellamy...Bruce Baldwin

Gene Lockhart...Sheriff Hartwell

Porter Hall...Murphy

Ernest Truex...Bensinger

Cliff Edwards...Endicott

Clarence Kolb...Mayor

Roscoe Karns...McCue

Frank Jenks...Wilson

Regis Toomey ...Sanders

Abner Biberman...Louie

Frank Orth...Duffy

John Qualen...Earl Williams

Helen Mack...Mollie Malloy

Alma Kruger...Mrs Baldwin

Billy Gilbert...Joe Pettibone

Pat West...Warden Cooley

Edwin Maxwell...Dr. Egelhoffer

Did You Know?

One of the first films (preceded by "Stage Door" (1937)) to have characters talk over the lines of other characters, for a more realistic sound. Prior to this, movie characters completed their lines before the next lines were started.

The film finished shooting seven days behind schedule. The delays were caused by the complexity of shooting the rapid-fire dialogue, which had to be carefully timed with business and movement. The restaurant scene in which Burns takes Hildy and Bruce to lunch took four days to shoot. The original schedule had only allotted two days for the scene.

To maintain the fast pace, Howard Hawks encouraged his cast to add dialogue and funny bits of business and step on each others lines whenever possible.

This motion picture was released nationally on Cary Grant's 36th birthday.

Quotes:

Walter Burns: There's been a lamp burning in the window for ya, honey... here.
Hildy Johnson: Oh, I jumped out that window a long time ago.

Hildy Johnson: A big fat lummox like you hiring an airplane to write: "Hildy, don't be hasty. Remember my dimple. Walter." Delayed our divorce 20 minutes while the judge went out and watched it.

Hildy Johnson: He's kind and he's sweet and he's considerate. He wants a home and children.

Walter Burns: Sounds more like a guy I ought to marry.

Walter Burns: You've got the brain of a pancake. This isn't just a story you're covering - it's a revolution. This is the greatest yarn in journalism since Livingstone discovered Stanley.

Hildy Johnson: It's the other way around.

Walter Burns: Oh, well, don't get technical at a time like this.

Lobby Cards and Posters:

Directed by Howard Hawks

Produced and Distributed by Columbia.

Running time: 92 minutes.

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley of Studio 36.

On This Day... The Philadelphia Story (1941)

Released today back in 1941, The Philadelphia Story was Cary Grant's 38th full length feature film.

Summary:

After getting a divorce from C. K. Dexter Haven (Cary Grant), Philadelphia heiress, Tracy Lord (Katharine Hepburn), prepares to marry George Kittredge (John Howard). 

Days before her wedding, however, Haven and reporter, Macaulay Connor (James Stewart), show up at her doorstep. From there, Tracy is forced to choose among her past love, her present love, and her new love.

Cast:

Cary Grant...C. K. Dexter Haven

Katharine Hepburn...Tracy Lord

James Stewart...Macaulay Connor

Ruth Hussey...Elizabeth Imbrie

John Howard...George Kittredge

Roland Young...Uncle Willie

John Halliday...Seth Lord

Mary Nash...Margaret Lord

Virginia Weidler...Dinah Lord

Henry Daniell...Sidney Kidd

Lionel Pape...Edward

Rex Evans...Thomas

Did You Know?

Cary Grant only agreed to appear in the film as long as he got top billing. As Katharine Hepburn was dubbed "box office poison" at the time, this demand was readily agreed to.  His salary, $137,000, a huge amount at the time, he donated in its entirety to the British War Relief Fund.

Cary Grant was given the choice of which of the two male lead roles he wanted to play.

During the conversation between Mike and Dexter at Dexter's mansion, Mike hiccuped and Dexter said, "Excuse me." This was ad-libbed by Cary Grant, and caused James Stewart to reply, "Huh?" and smile. Grant then turned his head to stifle his laughter and said, "Nothing."

Quotes:

George Kittredge: But a man expects his wife to...

Tracy Lord: Behave herself. Naturally.

C. K. Dexter Haven: To behave herself naturally.

[George gives him a look]

C. K. Dexter Haven: Sorry.

Tracy Lord: Dexter, say something.

C. K. Dexter Haven: Well, I...

Tracy Lord: Oh, Dexter, I'm such an unholy mess of a girl.

C. K. Dexter Haven: Well, that's no good. That's not even conversation.

Tracy Lord: You seem quite contemptuous of me all of a sudden.

C. K. Dexter Haven: No Red, not of you, never of you.

Elizabeth Imbrie: We've come for the body of Macaulay Connor.

C. K. Dexter Haven: I'm so glad you came. Can you use a typewriter?

Elizabeth Imbrie: No, thanks, I've got one at home.

C. K. Dexter Haven: Of course, Mr. Connor, she's a girl who is generous to a fault.

Tracy Lord: To a fault.

C. K. Dexter Haven: Except to other people's faults.

Margaret Lord: The course of true love...

Macaulay Connor: ...gathers no moss.

Lobby Cards and Posters:

Directed by George Cukor.

Produced and Distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Running time: 112 minutes.

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36.

On This Day...Enter Madame (1935)

 Cary Grant's 18th full length film, Enter Madame, was released on this day in 1935.

Summary:

Gerald Fitzgerald (Cary Grant) is an avid fan of opera.  He loves watching talented and beautiful Lisa Della Robbia (Elissa Landi). When they accidentally meet, the two end up falling in love. Having married quickly, Gerald soon starts to realize he is second place to his wife's career and it isn't much fun.

Cast:

Elissa Landi...Lisa Della Robbia

Cary Grant...Gerald Fitzgerald

Lynne Overman...Mr. Farnum

Sharon Lynn...Flora Preston (as Sharon Lynne)

Michelette Burani...Bice

Paul Porcasi...Archimede

Adrian Rosley ...Doctor

Cecilia Parker...Aline Chalmers

Frank Albertson...John Fitzgerald

Wilfred Hari...Tamamoto

Torben Meyer...Carlson

Harold Berquist...Bjorgenson

Diana Lewis...Operator

Richard Bonelli...Scorpia in 'La Tosca'

Ann Sheridan...Flora's Shipboard Friend (as Clara Lou Sheridan)

Did You Know?

Enter Madame was based on a play written by Gilda Varesi Archibald, Charles Brackett and Dorothea Donn-Byrne.  Charles Brackett also contributed to the writing of such films as Sunset Boulevard (1950) and Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959).

Featured Clara Lou Sheridan in an early role.  Clara Lou Sheridan would later change her name to Ann Sheridan, eventually starring along side Cary Grant in 'I Was a Male War Bride'.

Quotes:

Mr. Farnum: Think you can take it?

Gerald Fitzgerald: What do you mean?

Mr. Farnum: I mean, have you any idea what it's like being married to an opera singer?

Gerald Fitzgerald: Sure. I think I'm the luckiest man in the world.

Mr. Farnum: You'll have to be.

Lisa Della Robbia: Farnum, what a horrible thing to say.

Mr. Farnum: I'm not talking against you, madame. It's your job.

Archimede: Those truffles have come from my farm in Tuscany. Rigoletto and I hunted for them last June. He with his nose and I with my stick - to hit him on the nose when he find the truffle. He loves truffles, Rigoletto

Flora Preston: Mercy! Who is Rigoletto? Your son?

Archimede: No. My pig, Madame

[laughs]

Archimede: A great hunter of truffles, my Rigoletto

Flora Preston: What a strange name for a pig

Archimede: Why not, Madame? He enjoys it, poor fellow. It gives him some style before the other pigs. My cow, I name her Aida; my ox: Don Giovanni. Oh, they're all very pleased.

Posters and Lobby Card:

Directed by Elliot Nugent.

Produced by Paramount Publix.

Running time: 83 minutes.

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley of Studio 36.

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.