THE ROBERT DONAT BLOGATHON: The 39 Steps, 1935

Maddy Loves Her Classic Films is hosting The Robert Donat Blogathon on July 3 to 5. Click HERE to join in the admiration for the fondly remembered actor.

Robert Donat was an actor of great commitment and versatility. Over 25 years, Donat appeared in 20 movies, winning an Oscar for Goodbye, Mr. Chips, and cementing himself in the hearts of generations of movie-goers for his vivid and memorable characters. The only dream we have is the wish we could have seen Robert Donat on stage.

In 1934 he starred as Edmund Dantes in Dumas' The Count of Monte Cristo the quintessential historical drama. The following year, 1935 Donat was a contemporary adventurer in Alfred Hitchcock's adaption of John Buchan's The Thirty-Nine Steps. Richard Hannay lives!

Buchan's novel, the first of five "shockers" featuring the character of Richard Hannay was adapted by Charles Bennett (The Man Who Knew Too Much) and Ian Hay (Secret Agent). They followed the template of the wrongly accused man shadowing the spies who can clear him, adding their own Hitchcockian cinematic touches.

John Buchan
Governor General of Canada, 1935-1940

Buchan (1875-1940), the Scottish born soldier/statesman/author commented to director Hitchcock during a private screening of the movie, "Fascinating! I wonder how it will end."

Robert Donat, Lucie Mannheim

Richard Hannay, played by Robert Donat, shortly returned to London from Canada finds himself with the not unwelcome company of an attractive and mysterious woman calling herself "Annabella Smith" played by Lucie Mannheim. They leave a music hall and return to Hannay's borrowed flat. There the slightly bemused man hears a tale of spies and of sinister men keeping track of their movements. The next morning is not so amusing as the woman dies exclaiming "Be careful, Hannay. They'll get you next."

Robert Donat, John Laurie, Peggy Ashcroft

Using his wits to escape the police, Hannay follows the few clues he has to get to the next link in the chain, Scotland. He finds brief rest and shelter with a young farm wife played by Peggy Ashcroft and her greedy older husband played by John Laurie.

Madeleine Carroll, Robert Donat

The man with the tip of a finger missing is supposed to be able to explain much. Godfrey Tearle as this "Professor" has much important necessary information seeing as he is the master of the spy ring. Hannay is truly up against it but, again, he is able to outwit those who would see him dead. Only now, Pamela a beautiful and extremely stubborn blonde played by Madeleine Carroll is handcuffed to our fugitive. And, yes, that is literally handcuffed, not figuratively!

Audiences have enjoyed sharing Hannay's adventure since its successful 1935 release. Running just under 90 minutes, The 39 Steps takes us from a crowded musical hall and back again through Scottish location filming, a political rally, bridges shrouded in fog, and cozy wayside inns where the next person you meet may mean deliverance or may mean death. The fate of a very likable hero is at stake, not to mention the fate of the country. And, by the way just what are these 39 steps anyway?

Robert Donat

The cinematic great-grandfather of North by Northwest's Roger O. Thornhill and the great-uncle of James Bond and his literary and cinematic brethren, The 39 Steps works on many levels and for many reasons, but most importantly for the depth and humour in Robert Donat's performance as a man wrongly accused and hounded by villains on all sides.

Hannay: "I know what it is to feel lonely and helpless and to have the whole world against me, and those are things that no men or women ought to feel."

John Buchan, Alfred Hitchcock

Eighty-five years of cinematic spies and adventurers owe much to John Buchan's "shockers": "An adventure where the events in the story are unlikely and the reader is only just able to believe that they really happened." and to Alfred Hitchcock's "MacGuffin": "The thing that the spies are after but the audience don't care about."

CAFTAN WOMAN'S CHOICE: ONE FOR JULY ON TCM

Leo Rosten's 1961 novel Captain Newman, M.D. remained on the New York Times Best Seller List for 24 straight weeks. The film adaptation by Richard Breen (A Foreign Affair) and Phoebe Ephron and Henry Ephron (The Jackpot) was Oscar-nominated for Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium.

Leading man Gregory Peck is uncredited as a co-producer along with Robert Arthur (Operation Petticoat), and the movie was directed by David Miller (Lonely Are the Brave). Captain Newman, M.D. was nominated for the Golden Globe's Best Film Promoting International Understanding, a category they featured from 1945 to 1963.

Set in a military hospital in the American southwest during WW2 the episodic film focuses on Ward 7, the neuropsychiatric ward run by Captain Josiah Newman. Jo cares deeply for these troubled men and is relentless in working for their welfare.

Capt. Newman: "We're short of beds, doctors, orderlies, nurses, everything except patients."

Newman's devotion does not go unnoticed by Col. Pyser played by James Gregory.

Col. Pyser: "His Ward 7's got the lowest return-to-duty rate in the entire Area Command. Psychosis, he says. Neurosis!"

Tony Curtis, Gregory Peck

Whether it is supplies or personnel Newman finds a way to get what he needs and that is how a new orderly, Cpl. Jake Leibowitz played by Tony Curtis is misdirected away from his intended assignment.

Capt. Newman: "Leibowitz, this is a perfectly safe ward. There is no danger involved. Patients in my ward are not allowed to have matches or razors or sharp objects of any kind."

Leibowitz: "But teeth they got."

Angie Dickinson, Gregory Peck

It doesn't take long before Leibowitz adapts to Ward 7 and becomes as important to its running as Captain Newman himself. Angie Dickinson plays nurse Lt. Francie Corum who gives up fighting her attraction to Jo, and transfers to Ward 7 joining Jane Withers as Lt. Grace Blodgett.

The patients in the ward provide a cross-section of ranks and problems. If Captain Newman's methods do not always prove successful, he is resourceful enough to switch tactics, always with their protection and health in mind.

Eddie Albert

Eddie Albert gives a bravura performance as Col. Algate Norvel Bliss whose return to command is desired by the Pentagon. Col. Bliss's personality has splintered and Dr. Newman will not release the violent patient until they discover the basis for his illness.

Gregory Peck, Bobby Darin

Bobby Darin was Oscar-nominated as "Little" Jim Tompkins, an airman whose denial of his trauma could be disastrous. Robert Duvall is a soldier from a privileged background who is retreating into himself rather than face his actions during a crisis. Bethel Leslie is outstanding as his equally privileged and uptight wife.

The cast includes Dick Sergeant as a wry bureaucratic observer, Larry Storch as Gavoni, an apoplectic orderly (thanks to that rascally Leibowitz), and Vito Scotti as an Italian POW. Yes, a group of Italian POWs is assigned to Ward 7, the only ward that gets locked up. They arrive in time for Christmas. Such a Christmas party you have never seen!

Ward 7

Captain Newman, M.D. has memorable vignettes that run the gamut of emotions and features some excellent performances. Leibowitz is one of my favourite characterizations from Tony Curtis. I like to think that somewhere behind the intense young actor and the later over-the-top Hollywood facade, there was a kernel of Jake Leibowitz in his heart.

A 1972 TV movie of Captain Newman, M.D., produced by Richard Crenna and Danny Thomas starred Jim Hutton and Joan Van Ark in an unsold series pilot.

TCM is screening Captain Newman, M.D. on Monday, July 13th in primetime, following Some Like It Hot as part of the July salute to Tony Curtis as the Star of the Month. The remainder of the late night viewing is The Perfect Furlough, Who Was That Lady?, and The Great Race.

Of note:

This Monday night lineup on TCM can also be considered (I certainly consider it so) as a tribute to Larry Storch whose comedy performances enliven not only Captain Newman, M.D. but the fun spoof Who Was That Lady? and The Great Race. Three cheers and toast to Larry who turned 97 this past January 8th.

REMAKE AVENUE: Five Star Final, 1931 and Two Against the World, 1936

Mythologized, demonized, revered, and lampooned, the gentlemen and ladies of the press make for good copy. From real-life crusader Nellie Bly who became as famous as her exposes to the fictional Charles Foster Kane who thought it would be fun to run a newspaper, audiences are as fascinated with the purveyors of the news as -- well, as the newsmen are with themselves.

Reporter Louis Weitzenkorn turned his experience on the tabloid New York Evening Graphic into a popular Broadway melodrama called Five Star Final starring Arthur Byron (The Mummy) as the conflicted editor Randall and Berton Churchill (Stagecoach) as the unscrupulous publisher Hinchecliff.

Mr. Weitzenkorn obviously had a lot to get off his chest as he ripped open the lack of principles in the newspaper game when it comes to circulation and sensationalism. Five Star Final relates the devastating effect on one family needlessly put under the microscope, and the price paid on a man's conscience. 

Five Star Final ran for 175 performances in the 1930/31 Broadway season. Before the ink was dry on the Playbill, Warner Brothers released its film version in September 1931.

The editor of the New York Gazette, Randall played by Edward G. Robinson is in the midst of one of his campaigns to change the tone of the newspaper away from its tabloid success. Publisher Hinchecliffe played by Oscar Apfel needs to remind his editor that "shop girls don't want to read about politics." This conflict has led Randall to develop an OCD habit of constantly washing his hands. Randall's secretary Miss Taylor, played by Aline MacMahon in her first film, loves and encourages Randall. She is his conscience and he knows it.

Hinchecliffe, in what he thinks is a sure-fire circulation booster, decides to rehash a lurid murder case of 20 years past. A young and pregnant stenographer, Nancy Voorhees played by Frances Starr had murdered her boss/lover who had deserted her. Acquitted of the crime, she has disappeared into obscurity, but the Gazette is about to change all that. Nancy will become public property in a serial with a lot of moralizing for the young women readers of today. 

Unaware of the publicity headed their way, Nancy and her husband Michael Townsend played by H.B. Warner are celebrating the engagement of their daughter Jenny played by Marian Marsh to a sterling young man of a good family, Phillip Weeks played by Anthony Bushell.

Edward G. Robinson, Aline MacMahon

No amount of begging or pleading can stop the presses. Engaged in the unearthing of "news" are contest editor Ziggie Feinstein played by George E. Stone abetted by the despicable Isopod played by Boris Karloff and Miss Carmody played by Ona Munson. Stone wants to help his boss, Isopod is a two-faced lecher with no morals, and Miss Carmody is go-getter from Chicago. The lives of the Townsend family are just another feather in their caps. Disgusted he may be with himself, yet Randall persists in carrying out his duty. "This is one newspaperman who's going to retire with some dough."

Director Mervyn Leroy tells the story with great verve. The opening with the credits over the rattling of the giant presses, the use of split-screen, close-ups, wipes, and interesting angles enhance the fast-paced dialogue and the emotional storyline.

Particularly rough to watch is the desperate Nancy trying to get Hinchecliffe on the phone. Hinchecliffe keeps rerouting the call to Randall, who is even less interesting in speaking with her. Miss Taylor convinces him it is the humane thing to do, but Randall can only tell Nancy that it is too late. In despair, she takes her own life leading to a chain reaction of heartbreak. Heartbreak which becomes more fodder for the Gazette and more hand-washing for Randall. 

Five Star Final was nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards held in 1932. It was one of eight nominees, with the winner of the evening MGMs Grand Hotel. Of the famous and Oscar-nominated pictures of the decade, Five Star Final seems to have fallen through the cracks but perhaps its time has come in the 21st century.

Warner Brothers did a relatively quick turnaround on remaking its prestige picture of 1931. William C. McGann directed the 1936 First National programmer Two Against the World which clocks in at just under an hour compared to the hour and a half run time of the Five Star Final.

"There's only one thing I'm interested in and I don't care how I get it. All I want out of this business is enough money so that I don't have to worry about old age pensions and things like that." So says radio producer Sherry Scott played by Humphrey Bogart in his first lead billing. He works for the United Broadcasting Company - "the voice of the people." The owner of the station played by Robert Middlemass feels that of late, Scott's programming has been leaning toward the intellectual. They only make money when they appeal to those people on the company motto. To that end, he has had an idea to revisit the 20-year-old Pembrook case.

Beverly Roberts, Humphrey Bogart

Scott's secretary played by Beverly Roberts thinks her boss is meant for better stuff, but that message and hope fall on deaf ears. A team is assembled to write a 15 part serial, heavy on the moralizing. Harry Hayden, in his movie debut, plays Dr. Leavenworth based on the Isopod character in the play and earlier movie. He is as phony as they make them but he knows how to dig up dirt and spread the spiritual spiel. Helping with the woman's angle is Claire Dodd as a writer anxious to prove herself.

As in Five Star Final, we find the Pembrook woman living a happy life as Martha Carstairs. Helen MacKeller is Martha and Henry O'Neill her husband. Their daughter is played by Linda Perry and her well-heeled and agreeable fiance by Carlyle Moore Jr. Once the Carstairs hear of the imminent broadcast of Martha's past things happen quickly. Tricked by the nasty Leavenworth, they try to find someone of influence to help them shut down the serial.

The Carstairs, being little people, do not have much luck. The Sims', Edith's future inlaws forbid the marriage, certain their son will abide by their wishes. Mr. Carstairs finds help at last in the minister who is to perform the marriage ceremony. Together, they approach a Broadcaster's Association, who will take the United Broadcasting Company up on charges before the FCC and revoke its license.

The same tragedy befalls the Carstairs as it did the Townsends. Despair leads to suicide and recrimination to Sherry Scott and the UBC. Unlike Five Star Final, the ending of Two Against the World finds Scott grabbing his secretary and leaving his employment after telling the FCC he would like to be their first witness.

The dialogue is as quick-paced as you would expect. The characters are interesting and offer possibilities for the actors involved if they were given the opportunity to develop. It is a lack of character development and colourful subplots that lets the film down. The time and budget put into this quickie, no matter how competently done, does not allow it to reach the height of emotion to be found in Five Star Final. Two Against the World is sometimes shown as One Fatal Hour.

The world of journalism and broadcasting hasn't changed in the intervening years. Every car accident or house fire seems to entitle every local broadcast to intrude on personal tragedies so they can film someone crying. That's news. Perhaps some enterprising producer will take a look at Louis Weitzenkorn's play and update it for the 24-hour news/internet world.


I hope you have found this recent ramble down Remake Avenue of interest. Here is a list of past strolls.

THE BASIL RATHBONE BLOGATHON: Tower of London, 1939

Pale Writer is hosting The Suave Swordsman: Basil Rathbone Blogathon on June 13th and 14th. Click HERE to read about the actor's exciting life and career. Thank you, Gabriela.

Richard III plays a dangerous game of thrones in Tower of London, 1939 from Universal Studios. The historical epic was directed by Rowland V. Lee (The Count of Monte Cristo) with a screenplay by his brother Robert N. Lee (Little Caesar).

From the forward:

"A web of intrigue veils the lives of all who know only too well that today's friends might be tomorrow's enemies."

Vincent Price, Ian Hunter, Basil Rathbone

These three men are brothers, Vincent Price as the Duke of Clarence, Ian Hunter as King Edward IV, and Basil Rathbone as Richard, Duke of Gloucester. Perhaps in another lifetime, they could depend upon each other but it is the time of the War of the Roses, pitting the Lancasters against the Yorks, and the Yorks against each other. Edward has the throne, Clarence has the money, and Richard has the ambition. 

Boris Karloff, Basil Rathbone

Richard is ably assisted in carrying out his schemes by Mord, the executioner. The sadistic and club-footed Mord worships his master as a god. He tortures, kills, spies, and with the poorer class under his thumb, spreads rumors and misinformation to benefit Richard.

Basil Rathbone

Tower of London has an exemplary cast performing to the hilt. The atmosphere of machinations and danger is palpable in the screenplay. Miles Mander is the feeble-minded deposed Henry VI. John Sutton and Nan Grey are the young lovers, John Wyatt and Lady Alice. Such characters are so necessary to the mind of producers and their story threads them throughout the years of Richard's ascent to the throne.

Ian Hunter, Barbara O'Neil

Ian Hunter is a boisterous and confident King. Vincent Price a petulant and grasping younger brother. Rathbone barely hides his contempt for all yet manages to fool many. Barbara O'Neil is a lovely Queen Elyzabeth, who fears her brother-in-law Richard, and Shakespearean history tells us with good reason.

The battle sequences at Tewksbury and later at Bosworth Field are very well done with crowds of extras, horses, rain, and the royal combatants. Despite its many ideal aspects, Tower of London falls short of its goal of creating a great screen epic, but I can't help but admire its goal and its effort. There is much for an audience to discover in the script and performances. The long history of stars Rathbone, Karloff, and Price and their place in the horror genre add to the enjoyment of viewing Tower of London today.

Basil Rathbone

Basil Rathbone's Hollywood career was tremendously busy during the 1930s. The golden year of 1939 saw not only the release of Tower of London, but also of Son of Frankenstein, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Rio, and The Sun Never Sets. It is a continual pleasure to discover and rediscover the versatility of Basil Rathbone over his five-decade screen career.

Of note:

Vincent Price, Clarence in our picture, starred as Richard III for Roger Corman's version of Tower of London in 1962.

Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff, and Vincent Price in Tower of London, 1939.

Basil Rathbone, Boris Karloff, and Vincent Price publicity for The Comedy of Terrors, 1963 with Peter Lorre at the keyboard.

DISASTER BLOG-A-THON: The Hurricane, 1937

The Midnite Drive-In and Dubsism are hosting (cue: thunder and lightning) the DISASTER BLOG-A-THON!  Your journey to movie danger starts HERE and HERE.

Manakoora is a South Sea Island under the dubious protection of France. Governor Paul DeLaage played by Raymond Massey comes from a long line of bureaucrats who place their fidelity to duty above all else. The strict adherence to this foreign code does not harmonize with the carefree lifestyle of the islanders. The philosophical (read: alcoholic) Dr. Kersaint played by Thomas Mitchell loves and thinks he understands the people of Manakoora. Kersaint chides DeLaage: "You're a sensitive man. You'll do something to yourself if you govern these somewhat childish people according to your ideas instead of theirs. You'll destroy yourself."

The return to the island of the ship Katapua captained by Captain Nagle played by Jerome Cowan brings two much-loved passengers home. It is hoped that Mme. Germaine DeLaage played by Mary Astor will soften her husband's authoritarian heart. The first-mate Terangi played by Jon Hall is Manakoora's favourite son and his return means a celebration as he marries lovely Marama played by Dorothy Lamour. First, a church ceremony by Father Paul played by C. Aubrey Smith, a missionary who loves his congregation. Whether that love is good for them or not, is yet to be seen. Second is a traditionally joyous native marriage celebration performed by Chief Mehevi played by Al Kikume.

Terangi and Marama should have a gloriously happy future ahead of them. Yet Marama fears for Terangi's next trip on the Katapua. Her dreams portend sadness and danger. Terangi is proud of his first-mate position. The hat he wears makes him the equal of any white man on Tahiti. "You are married a few days and already you're an old wife full of worries."

Terangi was wrong about his first mate's cap. Standing up for himself against a drunk in a bar, he strikes a man of influence. Terangi is sentenced to six months in jail under the jealous eyes of a sadistic guard played by John Carradine. Captain Nagle's attempt to sway the courts did nothing to reduce the sentence or set Terangi free. Neither does Governor DeLaage do anything to help despite the pleas of his wife, his doctor, or the ship's captain.

It is more than Terangi can bear to be locked up. It is natural to his nature to try to escape. Each escape and there are many, adds to his sentence until 16 years loom large against him. It will be nearly half that until at last a successful escape brings him the long way back to Manakoora, to Marama and the daughter he has never seen.

Terangi's return also brings "the wind that overturns the world." No one on Manakoora can escape the wrath of nature. It is more powerful than governments or religions.

All of our characters, the people of the island, and the conflicting emotions are brought together in the thrilling hurricane sequence which runs approximately 20 minutes.

Samuel Goldwyn was Hollywood's most powerful independent producer of the classic era. He took a deeply personal interest in all of his films. He purchased the rights to the romantic action novel The Hurricane by Nordhoff and Hall, famous for their Bounty trilogy. Goldwyn and John Ford had worked previously on Arrowsmith from the Sinclair Lewis novel in 1931. Goldwyn pegged Ford as the right person to bring this ambitious project to the screen.

The Hurricane had an excellent cast and crew. Much of the shooting was done on Santa Catalina Island by Bert Glennon, the second of the eight films he made with Ford. Second unit backgrounds were shot by Archie Stout at American Samoa. The special effects team was led by Oscar-winning art director James Basevi. Thomas Moulton won the Oscar for Best Sound, recording, an integral part of the incredible hurricane in this movie. Alfred Newman was nominated for Best Music, score, and Thomas Mitchell for Best Supporting Actor.

Reviews for The Hurricane were mixed but audiences were receptive making the film a hit from a box office standpoint. Despite CGI and the number of disaster movies since 1937, I believe audiences will still be taken with the story and the astounding effects of The Hurricane.


Of note:

In films since 1934 under his real name of Charles Locher, the actor changed his name to Jon Hall to capitalize on his connection to the co-author of The Hurricane, James Norman Hall. Nice publicity for the picture.

Dorothy Lamour's next film with John Ford would be Donovan's Reef in 1963. Pictured above with co-star Lee Marvin. The theme of The Hurricane by Alfred Newman with lyrics by Frank Loesser has become a standard. Dorothy Lamour sings The Moon of Manakoora.

Moviegoers of 1937 were seeing double. Mary Astor and Raymond Massey, along with C. Aubrey Smith were also featured in The Prisoner of Zenda.

THE THIRD ANNUAL BROADWAY BOUND BLOGATHON: Blue Denim, 1958 and 1959

Rebecca Deniston is back with The Third Broadway Bound Blogathon which runs on June 5 - 7 at her wonderful site, Taking Up Room.  Day 1  Day 2  Day 3

Chester Morris, June Walker, Burt Brinkerhoff

Blue Denim, described as a comedy in three acts and four scenes by James Leo Herlihy (Midnight Cowboy) and William Noble was staged on Broadway by Joshua Logan (South Pacific) in 1958.

Teenagers Janet Willard and Arthur Bartley are faced with the prospect of unplanned parenthood. They do not find their own parents to be the source of comfort and information they seek. Instead, they turn to Ernie Lacey, a friend who boasts of his knowledge of such mature matters. After much soul-searching, they seek and obtain an abortion. The teens have grown much living through this traumatic experience.

Joshua Logan, Burt Brinkerhoff, Chester Morris, Carol Lynley

Opening Night - Blue Denim

Controversial for its exploration of teenage sex and abortion, the play ran for 166 performances. It won the Tony Award for Best Scenic Design, and 20-year-old Warren Berlinger received a Theatre World Award in the role of Ernie Lacey. 16-year-old Carol Lynley made her Broadway debut as Janet Willard opposite Burt Brinkerhoff as Arthur Bartley.

20th Century Fox bought the rights to the film which was adapted by Philip Dunne (How Green Was My Valley) and Edith Sommer (The Best of Everything) with Philip Dunne directing. Ms. Sommer's 1955 play A Roomful of Roses had featured Warren Berlinger who, along with Carol Lynley reprised their stage roles in this 1959 film release.

Neither Arthur Bartley played by Brandon de Wilde nor Janet Willard played by Carol Lynley has a very open relationship with their parents. Arthur's parents played by Macdonald Carey and Marsha Hunt don't seem to be able to talk to Arthur as he's going through a non-communicative phase. Janet's widowed father played by Vaughn Taylor sees in his daughter the image and characteristics of his late wife, not a teenaged girl.

Brandon de Wilde, Carol Lynley

Janet's unexpected pregnancy is something the kids feel they must deal with on their own. Their first thought is that they must marry, but find bureaucracy stacked against them. Next, they consider abortion. The term "abortion" was banned by the Production Code so it an "illegal operation" they seek, recalling that their friend Ernie once help a fellow with that very thing.

Arthur learns that Ernie has what he terms a "big shot complex." Most of the things Ernie brags about knowing are all boast. However, he has an idea of how to find a doctor. At the same time, showing the maturity he didn't know he had, Ernie tries to talk Art out of this drastic step as Janet could be hurt.

Marsha Hunt, Brandon de Wilde, Macdonald Carey, Warren Berlinger

Frightened at the prospects before him, Art tries to speak to his parents but the little things that get in the way, like his sister's wedding the next day, keep him from following through. The "illegal operation" is underway when there is a showdown with his parents. The rush is on to stop the abortion and then to settle the future for the wayward teens. Overhearing the conversation among the adults, Janet decides that she will move away and have the baby. Her determination convinces the parents to agree with her decision.

Arthur is kept in the dark about the decision until Ernie discovers and shares the news. Facing his responsibility, Arthur joins Janet at the end of the movie.

The play was described as a comedy and the movie as a drama. The serious nature of this film is evident and there is humor in the teenagers stumbling toward adulthood, and the adults and their way of communicating. Marsha Hunt is particularly and subtly funny as a seeming ditz of a mother, and Macdonald Carey's delivery as an exasperated father is on the money.

Certainly, the three young leads, Carol Lynley, Brandon de Wilde, and Warren Berlinger handle their roles naturally and impressively. Blue Denim may seem strictly a product of its time, but the underlying theme of communication within a family will never be out-of-date.

CAFTAN WOMAN'S CHOICE: ONE FOR JUNE ON TCM

John P. Marquand's serialized novel Gone Tomorrow was published in McCall's magazine 1940/1941 and released as a film by MGM under the name H.M. Pulham, Esq. in December of 1941. Marquand was the creator of Mr. Moto and the Pulitzer Prize winner in 1938 for The Late George Apley.

King Vidor and Elizabeth Hill

married: 1937-1951

The screenplay is credited to H.M. Pulham, Esq.'s producer/director King Vidor and his wife Elizabeth Hill. Hill was Vidor's script assistant since the 1930s and has writing credits on Our Daily Bread, The Citadel, and Northwest Passage.

Ruth Hussey, Robert Young, Hedy Lamarr

Robert Young (1907-1998) is an actor I easily take for granted, probably due to his "living room ease" on two popular series, Father Knows Best (1954-1960) and Marcus Welby, M.D. (1969-1976). Then I'll decide to rewatch the Chan picture The Black Camel from 1931 and see the appealing personality of Robert Young at the beginning of his career. Or I'll watch Crossfire, 1947, and notice how subtly he handles the speech given his police captain character. Maybe I'll come across They Won't Believe Me or The Enchanted Cottage or Claudia or The Canterville Ghost and muse on how suited Young seemed to each of these diverse films.

If put to the fire, I would name Harry Pulham as my favourite of Robert Young's performances. We meet the staid Bostonian dealing with a mid-life crisis and we journey with him down Memory Lane as he ponders his past, present, and future. Young plays Harry the naive college student at Harvard where his associations are formed. We see Harry as a lieutenant in France during WWI, awarded medals. We see Harry's bid for independence from a stifling history of societal expectations by beginning a business career at an advertising agency in NYC.

Robert Young, Bonita Granville, Charles Coburn

Harry's iconoclastic friend Bill King played by Van Heflin arranged the New York job and it is there that Harry has his great love affair with career girl Marvin Myles played by Hedy Lamarr. Marvin is unlike anyone Harry has ever known, a poor girl from an immigrant family, she has used her brains to get ahead. Marvin wants the good things in life and is willing to work hard to get them. When she and Harry fall in love her fear is that she will lose him to his old life. Harry doesn't understand that foolishness, just as he doesn't understand Marvin perhaps as well as she understands him.

Middle-aged Harry is accustomed to his routine at home and at work; walking the dog and walking the line laid out by his secretary played by Sara Haden and his wife Kay played by Ruth Hussey. Harry and Kay have known each other since childhood. Kay had her own fling at something different in the form of Bill King prior to marrying Harry, which was what their parents had always planned. Harry wonders if he and Kay ever really loved each other and if he ever truly knew happiness outside of his time with Marvin and Bill in New York.

Van Heflin, Robert Young, Ruth Hussey, Leif Ericson, Walter Kingsford, Fay Holden

The outstanding cast of H.M. Pulham, Esq. includes Charles Coburn, Fay Holden, and Bonita Granville as Harry's parents and sister. Leif Ericson as a college football star, Douglas Wood and Charles Halton at the advertising agency, and Walter Kingsford as an influential teacher. You are sure to spot Anne Revere, Connie Gilchrist, Grant Withers, and Byron Foulger as you take this journey with our Harry.

Harry Pulham is one of those roles which dominates the story and if we did not have Robert Young's completely committed and believable performance the movie would not work, and King Vidor's H.M. Pulham, Esq. works. Hedy Lamarr also turns in one of the finest performances in her film career, and Ruth Hussey is so consistently fine that you may overlook her contribution and have to watch the movie all over again.

How much time do we spend living our lives and how much thinking about our lives? Do we spend too much time thinking when we should be living or vice versa? What will Harry do at this critical point?

TCM is screening H.M. Pulham, Esq. on Sunday, June 28th at 1:45 PM. The afternoon appears to be devoted to couples at crossroads including Love Affair and Adam's Rib, with the primetime lineup of  Two for the Road and The Marrying Kind.


Movie/Television connection:

Robert Young (Harry) and Ruth Hussey (Kay) also appeared together in the following films: Rich Man, Poor Girl, 1938, Honolulu, 1939, Maisie, 1939, Northwest Passage, 1940, and Married Bachelor, 1941. Ruth guest-starred on Young's series Marcus Welby, M.D. in 1971, and in 1973 they starred as an engaged couple in the TV movie My Darling Daughters' Anniversary.