Wabash Avenue (film)
Wabash Avenue | |
---|---|
20th Century Fox | |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 92 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $2,050,000 (US rentals)[1][2] |
Wabash Avenue is a 1950 American musical film directed by Henry Koster and starring Betty Grable. The film was a remake of Grable's earlier hit 1943 film Coney Island.
Plot
Ruby Summers (Betty Grable) is a burlesque queen in a successful dance hall in 1892 Chicago. The owner of the dance hall Mike (Phil Harris) has cheated his ex-partner Andy Clark (Victor Mature) out of a half interest in the business. Andy schemes to potentially ruin Mike and also hopes to make Ruby a classy entertainer, as well as his own girl.
Cast
- Betty Grable as Ruby Summers
- Victor Mature as Andy Clark
- Phil Harris as Mike Stanley
- Reginald Gardiner as English Eddie
- James Bartonas Harrigan
- Barry Kelley as Bouncer
- Margaret Hamilton as Tillie Hutch
- Jacqueline Dalya as Cleo
- Robin Raymond as Jennie
- Hal K. Dawson as Healy
- Dorothy Neumann as Reformer
- Alexander Pope as Charlie Saxe
- Henry Kulky as Joe Barton
- Marie Bryant as Elsa
- Collette Lyons as Beulah
- George Beranger as Wax Museum Attendant
Background
Wabash Avenue, named from a major Chicago street, was reportedly conceived as a biopic of Chicago songwriter
The film became a vehicle for Betty Grable with Richard Widmark and Paul Douglas to co-star. The setting was to be the 1893 Chicago Exposition.[3] Eventually Widmark was replaced by Victor Mature.[4] Eventually Paul Douglas dropped out and was replaced by Phil Harris.
Filming started on 9 May 1949.[5] It was the first in a three-picture contract Koster had with Fox.[6]
The film featured five new numbers in addition to some old favourites. 87 sets were constructed included a recreation of Wabash Avenue.[7][8]
Grable enjoyed working with director Henry Koster so much she insisted he direct her next film, My Blue Heaven.[9]
Awards
Wabash Avenue also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for the number Wilhelmina.
References
- ^ 'The Top Box Office Hits of 1950', Variety, January 3, 1951
- ^ Aubrey Solomon, Twentieth Century-Fox: A Corporate and Financial History Rowman & Littlefield, 2002 p 223
- ^ THOMAS F. BRADY (Jan 31, 1949). "METRO BUYS STORY FOR MISS HEPBURN: Studio Plans to Co-Star Actress and Tracy in Kanin-Gordon Comedy, 'Man and Wife'". New York Times. p. 14.
- ^ THOMAS F. BRADY (Mar 22, 1949). "M'CREA GETS LEAD IN METRO PICTURE: To Play Clergyman in 'Stars in My Crown,' Based on Novel -- Fitts Doing Scenario". New York Times. p. 31.
- ^ "Of Local Origin". New York Times. May 10, 1949. p. 29.
- ^ THOMAS F. BRADY (Mar 29, 1949). "BRYAN FOY IN DEAL WITH WARNER BROS.: Will Join Studio as Producer After Completing Eagle-Lion Films -- Has 3-Year Pact". New York Times. p. 31.
- ^ "Letter From Hollywood". Christian Science Monitor. June 17, 1949. p. 5.
- ^ "HOLLYWOOD GLAMORIZES OLD. Wendt, Lloyd". Chicago Daily Tribune. July 24, 1949. p. C4.
- ^ "GRABLE TO APPEAR IN 'BLUE HEAVEN': Star Ends Hold-Out Against the Fox Studios -- Koster Will Direct as She Preferred". New York Times. Oct 19, 1949. p. 37.
External links
- Wabash Avenue at IMDb
- Wabash Avenue at AllMovie
- Wabash Avenue at the TCM Movie Database
- Wabash Avenue at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- Wabash Ave film clip on YouTube