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

 Cary Grant's 28th film was The Toast of New York,  released on today's date back in 1937.

Summary: 

Notorious robber baron financier Jim Fisk, who makes and loses fortunes, tries to corner the gold market as well as the heart of a beautiful actress.

Cast:

Edward Arnold...Jim Fisk

Cary Grant...Nick Boyd

Frances Farmer...Josie Mansfield

Jack Oakie...Luke

Donald Meek...Daniel Drew

Thelma Leeds...Fleurique

Clarence Kolb...Cornelius Vanderbilt

Billy Gilbert... Photographer

George Irving...Broker

Russell Hicks...Lawyer

Dudley Clements...Collins

Lionel Belmore...President of Board

Robert McClung...Bellhop

Robert Dudley...Janitor

Dewey Robinson...Beef Dooley

Stanley Fields...Top Sergeant

Did You Know?

Unlike the events in the film, Jim Fisk was shot and killed in a fight over a woman. Josie Mansfield was only one of his romantic interests.

No mention is made of Jay Gould, the notorious robber baron, who conspired with Fisk to corner the gold market in The Panic 1869, three years before Fisk's death.

Alexander Hall was the original director, but fell ill with pleurisy and was replaced by Rowland V. Lee after two-thirds of the film was shot. The length of principal photography suggests that Lee reshot or expanded most of Hall's material, resulting in many cast changes. It is not known how much of Hall's footage remains in the film.

RKO borrowed Edward Arnold from B.P. Schulberg's production company, and Cary Grant and Frances Farmer from Paramount for this film.

Quotes:

Josie Mansfield: [Referring to Mlle. Fleurique's dress] But these are her clothes. It's stealing.

James 'Jim' Fisk Jr.: Only little people call it stealing. Big people call it borrowing.

Nick Boyd: Even the right horse can't win if he's carrying too heavy a load.

Josie Mansfield: Besides, if you want something real bad, you gotta take some hard knocks to get it.

James 'Jim' Fisk Jr.: Say, you've learned a lot for a young lady. What are you after... reaching for the moon?

Josie Mansfield: No, just one little star on a dressing room door.

Press Stills and Posters:

Directed by Rowland V. Lee

Distributed and Produced by RKO Radio.

Running time: 109 minutes 

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36.

On This Day... Suzy (1936)

 Released today back in 1936, Suzy was Cary Grant's 23rd full length feature film.

Summary:

Believing a German spy has killed her new husband, a struggling chorus girl flees to Paris where she meets and marries a World War I pilot, whose carefree ways brings about unexpected results.

Cast:

Jean Harlow...Suzy Trent

Franchot Tone...Terry Moore

Cary Grant...Andre Charville

Lewis Stone...Baron Charville

Benita Hume...Diane Eyrelle

Reginald Mason...Captain Barsanges

Inez Courtney...Maisie

Greta Meyer...Mrs. Schmidt

David Clyde... 'Knobby'

Christian Rub...'Pop' Gaspard

George Spelvin...Gaston

Una O'Connor...Landlady

Theodore von Eltz...Revue Producer

Dennis Morgan...Lieutenant (as Stanley Morner)

Did You Know?

Three former WW I flying aces were killed and producer Howard Hughes was injured during aerial scenes shot for Hell's Angels (1930) and producer Howard Hughes was injured when he crashed flying in one of the scenes (it's not known if that footage was among the scenes used from that film for this one). Since only one out of every 249 feet of film shot was used in "Hell's Angels", there was more than enough left over to lease to other films like this one. It also helped offset the tremendous cost to Hughes of filming his movie.

One of the films that contributed to Cary Grant's lifelong protection of his screen image, as this was one of very few roles that depicted him as an amoral, unlikable cad.

Though not a musical, the film's indisputable highlight is Cary Grant and Jean Harlow's challenge duet to "Did I Remember?" The Academy Award-nominated song would become a standard, and the duo's performance of it was so charming that it was featured decades later in MGM's That's Entertainment! (1974).

The cast list includes "George Spelvin," a name traditionally used to disguise the identity of the actor--for instance, when the role is played by one of the listed actors in disguise. In this case, the disguise is intended for the character, who is listed only by a first name. When he appears, he turns out to be a goat.

Quotes:

Terry Moore: Do you like onions?

Suzanne 'Suzy' Trent: Onions for two are delicious. For one they're a terrible hazard.

Andre Charville: Aha... Jealous?

Suzanne 'Suzy' Trent: [Looking at a photograph of a beautiful woman in Andre's room] Yes, terribly jealous. Jealous of all the years I didn't know you and jealous of everything that might take you away from me.

Andre Charville: This is my luckiest day but maybe you'll have regrets. Be disillusioned.

Suzanne 'Suzy' Trent: Darling, I don't even know how to spell those words.

On set.

Andre Charville: Did I remember, to tell you, you're delightful, you're everything I want you to be

[singing]

Andre Charville: You're eyes are lovely, And far beyond comparing, Especially when they're glaring, At me. I can't think up words to say, How swell you are, But I can tell you are, I know so well you are. I started falling, The moment that I saw you, Believe me I adore you, Cherie!

Baron Charville: Why did you marry this girl?

Andre Charville: Well, eh, well, she's young, pretty, blonde, romantic, trusting, has lovely ankles, affectionate as a kitten, has a beautiful hot temper, would make a charming widow, and, eh, and, eh, ah, you see, there's another reason why I married her. It's funny, it slipped my mind. I know - I love her!

Suzanne 'Suzy' Trent: I'm not so bad to look at, am I? I admit I don't dance much and I don't sing so well, but, I can be awful cute when I want to be.

Lobby Cards:

Directed by George Fitzmaurice.

Distributed and Produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

Running time: 95 minutes.

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36.

On This Day... Notorious (1946)

 On this day in 1946, Notorious, Cary Grant's 49th full length feature film, was released.

Summary: 

It is 1946 and while World War II might be over, Nazis still loyal to the Third Reich can be found. Alicia Huberman's (Ingrid Bergman's) father was such a man, and he has just been convicted of treason in the U.S. Ms. Huberman did not share her father's views, but has gained notoriety as the daughter of a convicted traitor. U.S. Intelligence, in the form of Mr. Devlin (Cary Grant), see this notoriety as an opportunity, recruiting her to infiltrate a group of Nazis living in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

 The group is lead by Alexander Sebastian (Claude Rains), an ex-flame of Alicia. Alicia manages to infiltrate the group, but her previous relationship with Sebastian complicates things, as does her developing relationship with Devlin.

Cast:

Cary Grant... Devlin

Ingrid Bergman...Alicia Huberman

Claude Rains...Alexander Sebastian

Louis Calhern...Paul Prescott

Leopoldine Konstantin...Mme. Sebastian (as Madame Konstantin)

Reinhold Schünzel...Dr. Anderson' (as Reinhold Schunzel)

Moroni Olsen...Walter Beardsley

Ivan Triesault...Eric Mathis

Alexis Minotis...Joseph (as Alex Minotis)

Wally Brown...Mr. Hopkins

Charles Mendl...Commodore (as Sir Charles Mendl)

Ricardo Costa...Dr. Barbosa

E.A. Krumschmidt...Hupka (as Eberhard Krumschmidt)

Fay Baker...Ethel

Did You Know?

After filming had ended, Cary Grant kept the famous UNICA key. A few years later he gave the key to his great friend and co-star Ingrid Bergman, saying that the key had given him luck and hoped it would do the same for her. Many years later, at a tribute to director Sir Alfred Hitchcock, Bergman went off-script and presented the key to him, to his surprise and delight.

Director Sir Alfred Hitchcock and screenwriter Ben Hecht consulted Nobel Prize winner Dr. Robert Millikan on how to make an atomic bomb. He refused to answer, but confirmed that the principal ingredient, uranium, could fit in a wine bottle.

Sir Alfred Hitchcock got the shot where Ingrid Bergman is in the background and the coffee cup is in the foreground, with both in focus, by using a giant coffee cup placed farther away than it appears.

Sir Alfred Hitchcock claimed that the F.B.I. had him under surveillance for three months because this movie dealt with uranium.

The kissing scene on the balcony was largely improvised. Sir Alfred Hitchcock told Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman to just speak as lovers would.

This is the second adaptation of the story "The Song of the Dragon" by John Taintor Foote. The first being the silent movie, Convoy (1927).

While filming one shot, Cary Grant carped that he was supposed to open the door with his right hand, but he was holding his hat in that hand. "Have you considered the possibility of transferring the hat to the other hand?" Sir Alfred Hitchcock replied.

The movie Mission Impossible II, directed by John Woo and written by Bruce Geller and Ronald D. Moore seems a virtual remake of Notorious, in plot, characters, story line and some sequences are almost scene by scene.

When Alicia and Devlin are flying to South America, the movement of the clouds makes it appear that the plane is flying backwards.

Quotes:

Alicia: This is a very strange love affair.

Devlin: Why?

Alicia: Maybe the fact that you don't love me.

Devlin: A man doesn't tell a woman what to do. She tells herself.

Alicia: You're sore because you've fallen for a little drunk you tamed in Miami and you don't like it. It makes you sick all over, doesn't it? People will laugh at you, the invincible Devlin, in love with someone who isn't worth even wasting the words on.

Madame Sebastian: Wouldn't it be a little too much if we both grinned at her like idiots.

Alicia: I'm terrified.

Devlin: Just pretend you're a janitor. Janitors are never terrified.

Alicia: I have a feeling they're very slow.

Alicia: Dev, is that you? I am glad you are late. This chicken took longer than I expected... what did they say? Hope it isn't done too - too much. Of course, i-it caught fire once... I think it's better if I cut it up out here, unless you want a half of one for yourself. We're going to have knives and forks, after all, I've decided we're going to eat in style. Marriage must be wonderful with this sort of thing going on everyday.

Alicia: This fog gets me.

Devlin: That's your hair in your eyes.

Ethel: Where are you going?

Mr. Hopkins: Fishing.

Ethel: At this time of night? You're mad.

Mr. Hopkins: What's the difference? There's no fish, day or night.

Lobby Cards and Posters:

Directed and Produced by Alfred Hitchcock.

Distributed by RKO Radio.

Running Time: 103 minutes.

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36.

On This Day...Cary Grant Marries His Fourth Wife: Dyan Cannon.

On July 22, 1965, Cannon married actor Cary Grant, who was 33 years her senior. 

The two actors had been dating for a few years before they tied the knot in 1965, when Grant was 61 and Cannon was 28. But the age difference didn’t matter to the young actress – she was smitten with Grant and was ready to do anything to make him happy.

"[Catering to Cary] was the most important thing in my life - more important than working, more important than anything. That was the big flaw. I pushed aside everything that I'd desired to make him happy." - Dyan Cannon

They had one daughter, Jennifer (born February 26, 1966), who also is an actress.  They were divorced on March 21, 1968.

On This Day... That Touch Of Mink (1962)

 Released today back in 1962, That Touch of Mink was Cary Grant's 69th full length feature film.

Summary:

Cathy Timberlake (Doris Day) is an old-fashioned country girl who meets the man of her dreams, Philip Shayne (Cary Grant), after his Rolls Royce splashes her with mud on her way to a job interview. Philip is a romantic businessman who is taken by Cathy's honest heart. There's one problem, he's not interested in marriage while Cathy has never thought of anything else.

Cast:

Cary Grant..Philip Shayne

Doris Day...Cathy Timberlake

Gig Young...Roger

Audrey Meadows...Connie Emerson

John Astin...Mr. Everett Beasley

Dick Sargent...Young Man (Harry Clark) (as Richard Sargent)

Joey Faye...Short Man

Laurie Mitchell...Showgirl

John Fiedler...Mr. Smith

Willard Sage...Tom Hodges

Jack Livesey...Doctor Richardson

Did You Know?

When Cary Grant noticed an ad for a raincoat that he thought would be appropriate for Doris Day to wear in the picture, he called the owner of the company who made it. After explaining who he was and what he wanted the coat for, he was given the brush-off by the manufacturer, Norman Zeiler, who later recalled that he didn't believe it was Grant. "So I told him if he wanted to see our collection, he'd have to come up himself. And he did." The much-imitated Grant, who usually made all his own calls and answered his home phone himself, often had that problem. People just couldn't believe it was really Cary Grant they were talking to.

Doris Day was 39 when this film was made, although her character was supposed to be in her twenties.

Rock Hudson had expected to be cast as Philip, but director Delbert Mann wanted Cary Grant.

In her autobiography, Doris Day wrote: "Of all the people I performed with, I got to know Cary Grant least of all. He is a completely private person, totally reserved, and there is no way into him. Our relationship on That Touch of Mink (1962) was amicable but devoid of give-and-take...Not that he wasn't friendly and polite - he certainly was. But distant. Very distant. But very professional - maybe the most professional, exacting actor I ever worked with. In the scenes we played, he concerned himself with every little detail: clothes, sets, production values, the works. Cary even got involved in helping to choose the kind of mink I was slated to wear in the film."

Cary Grant involved himself in many details of the production. For a scene that took place in his character's library, he arrived to work with boxes of items from the library in his own house and placed them about the set. According to Doris Day, this served not only to make the set more attractive but also made him feel more relaxed and at home, giving his performance "that peculiarly natural, suave quality that is the hallmark of his pictures."

The movie was filmed on location in New York. Some sources claim it was also shot in Bermuda, but others state that the scenes of the Bermuda resort were actually shot at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica.

Cary Grant was a huge fan of the New York Yankees, which likely made it easier for the producers to get Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris to appear in the film.

Quotes:

Cathy Timberlake: [very drunk] Do you like the way I walk?

Philip Shayne: Poetry in motion.

Cathy Timberlake: I learned when I was a baby, been walking for years.

Philip Shayne: The Four Horsemen now have a riding companion. There's War, Famine, Death, Pestilence, and Miss Timberlake!

Cathy Timberlake: Look, he doesn't love me. He just feels sorry for me.

Roger: Doesn't love you? He's compared you to the plague!

Cathy Timberlake: How would you feel? Here I am, he practically runs me down and then drives right away! And doesn't have the decency to apologise himself. Furthermore I have a job interview and have to go like this. He doesn't care.

On set.

Roger: Ohhh...

Cathy Timberlake: You know what I'd like to do?

Roger: Throw the money in his face?

Cathy Timberlake: Exactly! I'd like to throw that money right in his face.

Roger: Would you?

Cathy Timberlake: Yes, I would.

Roger: I've waited seven years for this moment. You come with me!

Philip Shayne: That's it, Roger. Now you have plenty of friends. Find her a husband. A simple, dull, unimaginative man who'll smile tolerantly when he comes home from work and learns she's misplaced the children.

Cathy Timberlake: [Cathy is rushing off to meet Philip, over Connie's objections] Connie, this is terribly important to me. I've got to *prove* to him that I'm a woman!

Connie Emerson: [calls after her] Well, there are easier ways to do it. Send him your birth certificate!

Cathy Timberlake: And I'm unstable. What kind of mother would I make for our children?

Philip Shayne: Well we'll try three or four if that doesn't work out, we'll breed poodles.

Lobby Cards:

Directed by Delbert Mann

Distributed by Universal-International

Produced by Granley Company-Arwin Productions.

Running time: 99 minutes. 

Artwork by Rebekah Hawley at Studio36.