She Couldn't Take It
She Couldn't Take It | |
---|---|
C. Graham Baker Gene Towne | |
Produced by | B. P. Schulberg |
Starring | George Raft Joan Bennett Walter Connolly Billie Burke Lloyd Nolan Wallace Ford |
Cinematography | Leon Shamroy |
Edited by | Gene Havlick |
Music by | Howard Jackson Louis Silvers |
Production company | Columbia Pictures |
Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 77 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
She Couldn't Take It is a 1935 American
Plot
The film tells the story of the wealthy family Van Dyke: a frustrated patriarch Dan (Walter Connolly); his self-centered wife (Billie Burke); and his spoiled children Tony (James Blakeley) and Carol (Joan Bennett). They have constant run-ins for outrageous behavior.
Dan Van Dyke is sent to prison for tax evasion. His cellmate is bootlegger and fellow convicted tax evader Ricardi. The two men become friends and when Van Dyke dies from a poor heart, he puts Ricardi in charge of his interests.
Cast
- George Raft as Ricardi
- Joan Bennett as Carol Van Dyke
- Walter Connolly as Mr. Van Dyke
- Billie Burke as Mrs. Van Dyke
- Lloyd Nolan as Tex
- Wallace Ford as Finger Boston
- Alan Mowbray as Alan Hamlin
- Donald Meek as Uncle Wyndersham
- James Blakely as Tony Van Dyke
- William Tannen as Cesar
- Donald Meek as Uncle Wyndersham
- Frank Rice as Milkman
- Frank Conroy as Raleigh
Production
The film is based on a story by writers
Raft was loaned to Columbia by Paramount Pictures to make the film.[4] Writers Baker and Towne and actress Joan Bennett were under contract to Walter Wanger,[5] and Wanger had an agreement to distribute his films through Paramount.[6] Bennett was thus considered on loan-out as well.[7] Walter Byron was originally cast as Alec Hamlin, but was replaced by Alan Mowbray two weeks into filming.[8] Donald Meek and James Blakely were added to cast the third week of August.[9] Wallace Ford replaced Raymond Walburn a day later.[10]
The film was originally known as Rich Man's Daughter,
George Raft, Joan Bennett, Billie Burke, and Walter Connolly did an abbreviated version of the film's plot on Dick Powell's "Hollywood Hotel" radio program in late August 1935 to promote the film.[17]
Reception
The New York Times said the film "has a clinical interest as an example of the confused resentment against the idle rich which Hollywood has been displaying lately" in which the opening scenes "offer considerable promise for a bright-faced comedy of society foibles" but which went downhill once Walter Connolly's character died.[18]
The Los Angeles Times called it "George Raft's best picture" with an "inventive scenario" and "unexpected twists".[19]
After making the film, Tay Garnett went on an around the world cruise.[20]
References
- ^ Everett Aaker, The Films of George Raft, McFarland & Company, 2013 p 66
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (February 9, 2020). "Why Stars Stop Being Stars: George Raft". Filmink.
- ^ "Columbia News". Tensas Gazette. September 13, 1935. p. 1.
- ^ Parish & Whitney 1973, p. 101.
- ^ Bernstein 1994, p. 111.
- ^ Bernstein 1994, pp. 94–95.
- ^ Parsons, Louella (July 5, 1935). "Snapshots From Hollywood". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. p. D2; Skolsky, Sidney (July 30, 1935). "Hollywood". New York Daily News. p. 32.
- ^ Adams, Marjory (August 3, 1935). "Movie Facts and Fancies". The Boston Globe. p. 11.
- ^ "Picture Parade". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. August 20, 1935. p. 6.
- ^ "Picture Parade". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. August 21, 1935. p. 8.
- ^ Scheuer, P.K. (August 21, 1935). "Roma Gabriel, European Songstress-Actress, Will Star in Herbert Operetta". Los Angeles Times. p. 9.
- ^ "New Title". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. August 23, 1935. p. 6.
- ^ "Columbia Pictures Plans 52 Features". The New York Times. July 2, 1935. p. 24.
- ^ Stephens & Wanamaker 2014, p. 52.
- ^ "Studio Adds to Its Space". The Los Angeles Times. July 16, 1935. p. B2.
- ^ Day, Sara (pseudonym of Sally Richards; née Sara Lou Dague; 1904–2001) (October 13, 1935). "Joan Bennett Threatens the Laurels of Sister Connie With a New Flair for Elegance". The Fashion Parade. Screen & Radio Weekly. A nationally syndicated Sunday newspaper supplement published by the Free Press. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com; subscription required.
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- ^ "Introduces Movie Stars Over Radio". Minneapolis Star. August 23, 1935. p. 8.
- ^ Sennwalk, Andrew (November 7, 1935). "'She Couldn't Take It,' a Comedy of the Idle Rich, at the Center -- 'The Melody Lingers On.'". New York Times.
- ProQuest 164525085.
- ProQuest 150669900.
Bibliography
- Bernstein, Matthew (1994). Walter Wanger, Hollywood Independent. Berkeley, California: University of California Press. ISBN 9780520081277.
- Parish, James Robert; Whitney, Steven (1973). The George Raft File: The Unauthorized Biography. New York: Drake Publishers. ISBN 9780877495208.
- Stephens, E.J.; Wanamaker, Marc (2014). Early Poverty Row Studios. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 9781467132589.
External links
- She Couldn't Take It at the TCM Movie Database
- She Couldn't Take It at IMDb
- She Couldn't Take It at AllMovie
- Review of film at Variety