It Had to Be You (1947)

It Had to Be You(1947). A romantic/comedy. Cast: Ginger Rogers and Cornel Wilde. The main set with the beautiful staircase had been previously used in the film, Holiday. Producer Don Hartman attempted to rent the Hope Diamond for Ginger Rogers to wear but was unsuccessful.

Much to her parents dismay, Victoria Stafford has marched three times down the altar, each time leaving her groom standing there alone... Victoria's reputation as a "runaway bride", is no secret and the father of her current fiance, Oliver H. P. Harrington, suggests that she take sometime alone, to make sure she is doing the right thing.

After a month of sculpting in Cape Cod, Victoria, now thinking that she is ready for marriage to Oliver, boards a train back to New York. While on the train.. Victoria has a dream about an American Indian who, insists that he is the one that she is in love with.

As Victoria leaves Grand Central Station, she sees him at every street corner. After changing into a business suit, the Indian shows up at the Stafford's home as Victoria is trying to explain the reason for missing Oliver, at the train station.

Victoria, introduces her visitor as her sculpting model. When asked his name, Victoria sees a picture of George Washington, then notices that the Indian is wearing moccasins, and comes up with the name "George McKesson."

Mr. Stafford, Victoria's father, does not approve of his daughter's house guest, but when he tries to throw him out, George threatens to expose one of his affairs.

With less than a week to go before the wedding, Victoria, now determined more than ever to marry Oliver, warns George not to follow her. When a man who looks just like George, is shopping at the same store that Victoria is shopping, she calls the store detective to get rid him. The man, insists that he has never seen Victoria before. But.. he is hit over the head and dragged off.

Back at home, while watching old home movies, Victoria suddenly realizes that George is really Johnny Blaine, a childhood friend, who dressed as a Indian for Halloween. Victoria, then realizes that the man in the store was not George, but.. Johnny Blaine.

After getting Johnny's address from his store sales receipt, Victoria learns that he lives and works at a fire station. It is not long before they realize that they have, baseball, bowling, favorite songs, favorite foods, all in common...

George decides to help get rid of Oliver, by planting evidence that his fiancee has lied to him. His plans backfire and Johnny, believing to be the one deceived, breaks up with Victoria.

The wedding day arrives, Victoria, is heartbroken and ready to begin a loveless marriage with Oliver.

George, comes up with the idea to call Johnny to the wedding by placing an emergency call to the fire department. Just as Victoria is about to take her vows, Johnny bursts into the Stafford home, throws Victoria over his shoulder and saves her just in time...

This fun little movie gets better (after the Indian looses his silly costume) as it moves along and turns into a enjoyable movie for a rainy day.. with a surprising twist to the ending. A must see for all Ginger Rogers fans.

The actress listed below play Victoria, as a child:

Carol Lou Nugent (born July 7, 1937). Her father was a property master for MGM and her mother later became a talent agent, managing Carol's career along with that of her younger sister Judy Nugent.

Nugent was a child actor, first appearing on screen at age seven in, Secret Command (1944).

She played small parts in four more movies over the next three years and in one of these, she and her sister Judy portrayed the same character at different ages.

She was in a few popular hits: Cheaper by the Dozen (1950) and Belles on Their Toes (1952), but as a child actor never quite made the transition from bit player to larger roles.

In 1959 when she was 21 Nugent married actor Nick Adams after they dated for a short time. She appeared in a guest role for his television series The Rebel that year. They had two children together: Allyson Lee Adams (born 1960) and Jeb Stuart Adams (born April 1961).

In 1965, during a television appearance on the Les Crane Show Adams announced he was leaving her. This began a very public period of bitter separations and temporary reconciliations which lasted until his death in 1968.

In 2002 she renewed her acquaintance with John G. Stephens who was Production Manager on the television classic, My Three Sons. Her father Carl had been the Property Master on that show. Stephens' wife, actress Joan Vohs (1927-2001) had recently died from heart failure. They married in 2002 and they are still married.

Judy Ann Nugent (born August 22, 1940), first appeared on screen at age six in It Had to Be You (1947), where she and her sister Carol portrayed the same character at different ages.

A few bit parts in forgettable films was followed by her landing a regular role in television's first family sitcom, The Ruggles (1949–52).

Her film career then took off with supporting parts in several dramas:  Magnificent Obsession (1954) and There's Always Tomorrow (1956).

One of her best-remembered roles was as Jet Maypen for the Walt Disney Presents: Annette serial on The Mickey Mouse Club.

As she reached adulthood, her parts were mainly guest appearances on television shows. She gave up acting after getting married in 1961, but did cameos for two independent film productions during the seventies.

Judy married actor Buck Taylor in 1961. They divorced in 1983. The Taylors had a daughter Tiffany and three sons, Adam Carlyle Taylor (1966–1994), Matthew Taylor (born 1970) and Cooper Taylor (born 1975). The three sons were involved with acting, directing, or stunt work for motion pictures and television. The Taylors moved to Montana during the 1970's.

There Adam was killed in a road accident in Madison County three days before his 28th birthday. Adam was married to actress Anne Lockhart, daughter of June Lockhart.

George and Judy

Leave Her to Heaven (1945).

Gene Tierney, is best remembered for her performance in the title role of Laura (1944) and her Academy Award nominated performance for Best Actress in Leave Her to Heaven (1945). Film Noir. Cast: Gene Tierney, Cornel Wilde, Jeanne Crain, with Vincent Price, Darryl Hickman, and Chill Wills. It was adapted for the screen by Jo Swerling, based on the best-selling novel by Ben Ames Williams, and was directed by John M. Stahl. Tierney received an Oscar nomination as Best Actress in a Leading Role for this film.

The story begins when author Richard Harland is released from prison after serving a two-year sentence. Richard, is met by his attorney, Glen Robie, who has a small boat waiting for Richard, to take him back to "Back of the Moon," he begins to tell his story in a flashback:

Richard is working on a new novel, when he accepts an invitation from Glen to visit him at his ranch in New Mexico. During the train ride, Richard meets a beautiful young woman who says that he reminds her of her late father.

 

 Later, Richard meets Glen at the station, who tells him that Ellen Berent, is also visiting his family with her mother Margaret and sister Ruth.(first picture)

During dinner, Ellen tells Richard that they have come to scatter her father's ashes at his favorite spot in the mountains. Richard follows close behind as the family scatters the ashes.

The following day, as Richard is working on his novel on the patio he confesses to Ellen that he asked Glen about her fiancee, attorney Russell Quinton, she admits that she has taken off her engagement ring.

The next night, Russell comes in with the storm, having received a telegram from Ellen breaking off their engagement. Richard is surprised when Ellen announces their engagement and the couple are soon married.

While on their honeymoon, the newlyweds travel to Warm Springs, Georgia, to visit Richard's brother Danny who is recovering from polio. Ellen helps Danny to walk with crutches, and soon the boy is joining Ellen and Richard at, Back of the Moon. Ellen is not happy with the presence of Danny and old family friend, who is also the care taker of the lodge. Ellen is beside herself with anger when Margaret and Ruth show up at the lodge. Richard is embarrassed by his wife's actions. Ellen accuses Richard of being in love with Ruth, then begs for his forgiveness by telling him that she does not want to share him with anyone else.

Margaret and Ruth leave soon after and one afternoon, Ellen takes Danny on his daily swim in the lake. Ellen follows in a small boat behind Danny, but when a cramp over comes him he begs her to help him, she watches without feelings as he drowns. Over time, Richard realizes that his wife's insane jealousy is the the cause of all the tragedies in his life. But... nobody, can guess what she has planned for the rest them.

Tierney's performance is very chilling playing against some of the most beautiful settings ever filmed. Alfred Newman's beautiful music helps slowly build the tension. What I consider one of the best film noirs ever made. Gene Tierney deserved her Oscar nomination but, lost out to Joan Crawford for "Mildred Pierce".

Tierney said "Leave Her to Heaven" was "the best role she ever had and it was also her favorite film."

Some of the beautiful ranch scenes were filmed in Sedona, Arizona.

Gene Tierney is one of my favorite actresses. Please check out my Gene Tierney page for movie reviews and pictures. Located on the side bar.

Video: Movie in full.


 

The Big Combo(1955).

The Big Combo (1955). Director: Joseph H. Lewis. Photographed by cinematographer John Alton with music by David Raksin. Cast: Cornel Wilde, Richard Conte and Jean Wallace).

Police Captain Peterson, is angry with police Lt. Leonard Diamond for taking too much money out of the city budget on crime boss Mr. Brown's case. Peterson believes he is wasting his time trying to find incriminating evidence against Mr. Brown. Peterson says Diamond's real motivation is Diamond's love for Brown's girlfriend Susan Lowell.

Susan is watched over by Brown's men Mingo and Fante. Who seems kidnapped and yet wanting Brown's brutal attentions. She overdoses on pills, and whispers the name "Alicia" as Diamond stays with her in the hospital. Believing this may be Brown's wife Diamond follows up on this new lead, but Brown captures and tortures Diamond and delivers him back to his boss, making him appear drunk. Will Diamond ever find enough evidence to arrest him?

Click to view the movie The Big Combo, in full.


Cornel Wilde was hired as a fencing teacher by Laurence Olivier for his 1940 Broadway production of Romeo and Juliet. His performance in this role landed him a Hollywood film contract.

He had several small film roles until he played the role of Frédéric Chopin in 1945's A Song to Remember, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actor.

In 1945 he also performed in A Thousand and One Nights with Evelyn Keyes. He spent the rest of the decade performing in romantic and swashbuckling films.

Cornel also performed in films noir, Leave Her to Heaven (1945). Cast: Gene Tierney, Cornel Wilde, Jeanne Crain, with Vincent Price, Darryl Hickman, and Chill Wills. It was adapted for the screen by Jo Swerling, based on the best-selling novel by Ben Ames Williams, and was directed by John M. Stahl. Tierney     received an Oscar nomination as Best Actress in a Leading Role for this film.



Road House (1948). Film noir drama directed by Jean Negulesco, with cinematography by Joseph LaShelle. Cast: Ida Lupino, Cornel Wilde, Celeste Holm, Richard Widmark.

The drama tells the story of Lily Stevens who takes a job as a singer at a roadhouse. When Lily dumps the owner Jefty for his friend Pete Morgan, problems begin. They only get worse when Jefty is rejected after proposing to Lily, causing Jefty to go on a murderous rage. Lupino sings the classic Johnny Mercer song "One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)"and the song, "Again".



Shockproof (1949), starring his then wife Patricia Knight. In the 1950's, Wilde created his own film production company and produced the film noir The Big Combo (1955). Wilde played the male lead along with his second wife Jean Wallace.

That same year, he performed in an episode of I Love Lucy as himself.

In 1957, he played the role in the film Omar Khayyam. He produced, directed, and starred in The Naked Prey (1966), in which he played a naked man being tracked by hunters from an African tribe.

Wilde's other films include Beach Red (1967) and No Blade of Grass (1970).