Pawsome Pet Pictures: Mary Astor.

Personal Quote:

 "There are five stages in the life of an actor: Who's Mary Astor? Get me Mary Astor. Get me a Mary Astor Type. Get me a young Mary Astor. Who's Mary Astor?"

Mary Astor Blogathon: The Case of the Howling Dog (1934). First time the character Perry Mason ever appeared on film.

This post is my contribution to the Mary Astor Blogathon, sponsored by Tales of the Easily Distracted, and Silver Screenings. Please take a look at the other blog contributions participating in this Blogathon.

Once again Mary Astor, landed the part of the woman with the shady past in the film, The Case of the Howling Dog(1934). A mystery directed by Alan Crosland. Cast: Warren William and Mary Astor. This was the first in a series of films in which William played Perry Mason.

Arthur Cartwright, worried that the howling dog next door, is going to draw attention to a murder that has just been commented. He goes to see the lawyer Perry Mason, to write up a will leaving his money to the wife of Clinton Foley, the dog's owner. He tells him Evelyn, the woman now living with Foley is really his wife.

Perry investigates and sees that Foley is building an addition to his garage. While Perry talks to Foley he receives a note informing him that Evelyn has run away with Cartwright.

Perry's men investigate and learn that Evelyn was married to Cartwright and Foley took her away from him, leaving his own wife, Bessie Foley, behind. While he is watching the Foley house, one of Perry's men sees Lucy Benton, Foley's housekeeper, drive away.

Later, a cab arrives with Bessie Foley. She asks the driver to go next door and tell Cartwright that she is there. In the house.. she and Foley get into an argument and two shots are fired, killing Foley and the dog.

Perry arrives soon after Bessie leaves and discovers the body. He finds Bessie at the hotel, where Bessie admits that Foley was a womanizer, but she denies killing him. Bessie, is the prime suspect and Perry advises her to say nothing to the police.

During the trial, Perry Mason claims that both Cartwright and Evelyn are dead and buried under the foundation of Foley's garage. He proves that, with her left hand, Lucy wrote the letters, to make it look like Evelyn wrote them. He also claims that the dog never would have attacked Bessie, because the dog loved her. Will Perry be able prove that Foley killed Cartwright and Evelyn... or did he?

You have to follow the story very carefully, in the beginning, to figure out the twist at the end that you don't want to miss. The very handsome Warren Williams, is my favorite Perry Mason, I loved his humor. Mary Astor, with her small, but very important part was great as the woman with the shady past.

Mary Astor's first movie was a small part in, The Scarecrow (1920). She continued her acting career with many minor roles in several films until 1924, when Mary landed an important a role as Lady Margery Alvaney with John Barrymore in the film, Beau Brummel (1924). She would star with him again in the film, Don Juan (1926).

Mary was popular with film goers and by the end of the twenties "talkies" had taken over the movie industry and Mary was one of those lucky actresses who made the successful transition.

Mary kept the spotlight in the films: Red Dust (1932), Convention City (1933), Man of Iron (1935), and The Prisoner of Zenda (1937).

In 1938, Mary, remained popular and performed in five more feature films.

In 1941, she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role of Sandra Kovac in, The Great Lie (1941). That same year she appeared in the film The Maltese Falcon (1941), but.. her star soon began to fade, because of her personal problems.

Her final performance on the silver screen was as Jewell Mayhew in Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964). Total she had performed in a total of 123 movies.

Cass Timberlane(1945).

Cass Timberlane, is a novel written by Sinclair Lewis, published in 1945. It is Sinclair Lewis' nineteenth novel and one of his last.It was made into a romantic drama film starring Spencer Tracy and Lana Turner, directed by George Sidney, and released in 1947. Timberlane is a minor character in Lewis's novel Kingsblood Royal.

While Judge Cass Timberlane, a kind-hearted, bachelor, is trying a boring divorce case, he finds a notebook that Jinny left in the courtroom. Attracted to the much younger Jinny, Cass searches for her in the neighborhood where she lives, and finds her playing baseball. Cass offers to umpire her game, after which he takes her out to dinner.

The two fall in love, much to the disappointment of Cass's society friends, who believe that he is wrong to cross social lines. With the exception of his friend attorney, Bradd Criley.

Cass, marries Jinny and as time passes, Cass soon realizes that Jinny is unhappy living in the small town of Grand Republic.

Jinny eventually becomes pregnant, but when the baby is stillborn, she goes into a deep depression. Cass, tries to cheer up his wife by teaching her how to fly an airplane and supporting her while she becomes a stage actress.

Jinny, gets herself into trouble with her performance, while rehearsing a love scene with her co-star, Bradd, who is transferred to his company's office in New York City as a result.

Cass, suggests they take a trip to New York, so he can visit an old friend to look into becoming partners in his law firm. Jinny, wants to stay in New York, after her wonderful day in New York with Brad. When Cass, tells her that he has rejected a job offer in the city, she breaks it off with him.

Cass, tells Jinny that she is welcome to stay in New York with Bradd. It turns out that Bradd, does not really want to marry Jinny. Heartbroken, she jumps out of the speeding car in which they are driving and is seriously injured.

After Lillian Drover, the wife of Jinny's doctor, tells Cass about Jinny's injuries, will Cass rush back to New York to be with her?

This is one of my favorite Spencer Tracy films and he gives an excellent performance. Lana Turner, is also very good. The scenes between she and Zachary Scott have enough sparks to make you wonder if they are guilty of adultery. This is a wonderful film that was well worth seeing.



Fun Facts:

MGM reportedly paid close to $150,000 for the film rights to Lewis' novel.

Walter Pidgeon who has a brief cameo in the film, was at one point considered for the title role.

Jennifer Jones, Vivien Leigh, and Virginia Grey were among those thought out for the female lead.

Fay Hendry, the mother of Sonya Hendry, a young girl who appeared in the film, was awarded nearly $30,000 for injuries she sustained when the girl was struck by a falling reflector at the site of location filming.

Tracy was not initially pleased with the studio's choice of director, hoping to have George Cukor or Vincente Minnelli assigned the position.

The poem that Cass Timberlane recites at the picnic with Virginia is "First Fig" by Edna St. Vincent Millay and goes "My candle burns at both ends / It will not last the night / But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends / It gives a lovely light!"

In late 1946, Marie McDonald campaigned for the female lead.

Margaret Lindsay (September 19, 1910 - May 9, 1981) After attending National Park Seminary in Washington, D.C., Lindsay convinced her parents to enroll her at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.

She then went abroad to England to make her stage debut. She performed in plays: Escape, Death Takes a Holiday and The Romantic Age.

Lindsay was often mistaken as being British due to her convincing English accent, which impressed Universal Studios enough to sign her for their 1932 version of, The Old Dark House.

After some minor roles in Pre-Code films such as Christopher Strong and Baby Face, which starred Barbara Stanwyck, Lindsay was cast in the award-winning, Cavalcade.

Later, Lindsay performed in a small but memorable role as Edith Harris, a doomed English bride whose honeymoon voyage takes place on the Titanic. Her work in Cavalcade earned her a contract at Warner Bros. where she became a supporting player, working with Paul Muni, Errol Flynn, Henry Fonda, Warren William, Leslie Howard, George Arliss, Humphrey Bogart, Boris Karloff and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

Lindsay was cast four times as the love interest of James Cagney, from 1933-1935. She performed with Cagney in four films: Frisco Kid, Devil Dogs of the Air, G-Men and Lady Killer. Lindsay co-starred with Bette Davis in four films: 1934's Fog Over Frisco; in 1935's Dangerous (for which Davis won her first Best Actress Academy Award); in Bordertown, co-starring Paul Muni, and as Davis's rival for Henry Fonda's affections in Jezebel (1938), which earned Davis her second Best Actress Academy Award.

The Law in Her Hands (1936), she performed a leading role as a mob lawyer. It was rare among gangster films of the 30's to have a female in such a male-dominated role. Made after the Motion Picture Production Code came into effect, The Law in Her Hands was forced into a reactionary stance towards the gender switch and concluded with a plot twist that was the complete opposite of the Pre-Code period (1929–1934), when "female characters on the screen could say, do and be whatever they wanted".

Lindsay's best known film role was, The House of the Seven Gables in 1940, with George Sanders and Vincent Price.

Her 1940s film series work in Hollywood included: Ellery Queen series from 1940-1942. Lindsay, performed in a supporting role in the 1942 film, The Spoilers, starring John Wayne and in Fritz Lang's Scarlet Street in 1945. While her work in the late 1940s would occasionally involve a supporting role in MGM films like Cass Timberlane with Spencer Tracy, her film career faded, soon after.

She returned to the stage and co-starred with Franchot Tone, in The Second Man. 1950s and 1960s She made her television debut in 1950 in, The Importance of Being Earnest. More television work soon followed.

Lindsay performed in only four films during the 1950s and two in the 1960s. Her final feature film was, Tammy and the Doctor (1963). Lindsay lived with her sister Helen in Hollywood. Later in life, she lived with her youngest sister Mickie.

Despite being romantically linked to actors such as William Gargan and Edward Norris, she never married. Margaret Lindsay's sister, Jane Kies (1909–1985), was also an actress under the name of Jane Gilbert. In 1940, Jane married the son of Hedda Hopper, actor William Hopper, best known for his role as Paul Drake in the Perry Mason television series. Their daughter Joan was born in 1942, and the couple divorced in the early 1960s. Lindsay's niece Peggy Kenline and great-nephew Brad Yates were also actors.

Cynthia (1947).

Cynthia (1947). Directed by Robert Z. Leonard. Cast: Elizabeth Taylor, George Murphy, S.Z. Sakall, Mary Astor.

Louise Bishop, now a grown woman remembers back in time, when she was a freshman studying music at Wyandott College and when she fell in love with baseball player, Larry Bishop. Louise shares with Larry, her dreams of continuing her studies at the Vienna Conservatory. Larry, tells her that he too plans to go to Vienna to study medicine.

The following summer, Louise goes to Michigan, while Larry returns to home, to work at J. M. Dingle's hardware store. When Larry and Louise return to school in the fall, they are married. Louise discovers that she is pregnant they and they both move to Napoleon, to raise their beautiful daughter Cynthia, who is born frail. When, the doctor bills begin to pile up, Louise and Larry realize that they may never be able to return to their studies.

Cynthia, who is now fifteen years old and still frail, is unaware that her parents made many sacrifices for her. Goes to see her voice instructor, Professor Rosenkrantz, who suggests that she audition for the next school opera.

Larry, is still working for Dingle's hardware store and now wants to buy the house that they are renting. Fred, however, refuses to give his endorsement for Larry's bank loan, and Louise is not too happy about the idea, because of her dreams of continuing her studies at the Vienna Conservatory.

Unable, to participate in most of the school activities because of her health, Cynthia begins to feel like an outcast, until her singing attracts the attention of popular, Ricky Latham. Cynthia, lands the leading role in the school play, but Louise and Larry are concerned that she does not have the physical strength to perform in the show. Their fears come true, when Cynthia, comes down with the flu and has to drop out of the play.

After, Cynthia returns to school, Ricky asks her to be his date for the spring dance. Louise secretly allows Cynthia, to attend the dance against her husbands wishes. While, Cynthia has a wonderful time at the ball, Larry learns that he was tricked and gets into an argument with Louise.

The next morning, Larry oversleeps and is late for work, the first time in fifteen years. When Dingle confronts him, he quits his job and plans to move his family to Chicago. Louise, is happy to see that her husband has finally stood up for himself, but Cynthia does not want to move. Will the family decide to stay in Napoleon or follow their dreams?



I just finished watching Cynthia, for the first time. I think Elizabeth Taylor fans, will love this fluffy classic film. Here, at fifteen, she still has got a lot of her girlish charm.

The teenage Taylor, did not really want to continue making films, but her stage mother forced Taylor to practice until she could cry on cue. Her mother watched her during filming, signaling to change her delivery or a mistake.

Taylor, was so poorly educated that she needed to use her fingers to do basic arithmetic. When at age 16 Taylor told her parents that she wanted to quit acting for a normal childhood, however, Sara Taylor told her that she was ungrateful: "You have a responsibility, Elizabeth. Not just to this family, but to the country now, the whole world".

The Kennel Murder Case(1933).

The Kennel Murder Case(1933). directed by Michael Curtiz. Cast: William Powell as Philo Vance, reprising the role for Warner Brothers after appearing as Vance in three films for Paramount.

The story begins when, hot shot detective Philo Vance joins up with wise-cracking police sergeant Ernest Heath, to solve the death of wealthy Archer Coe, which is first thought to be a suicide. Until.. Coe's brother Brisbane, is also found dead.

There are plenty of suspicious characters, all connected to a dog show and all having very good reasons to murder Archer Coe:

Mary Astor.

First on the list, Hilda Lake, who resented his control of her money.

Paul Cavanagh

Next up, Sir Thomas MacDonald, who planned to marry Hilda and who wanted revenge after his prize show dog was killed.

Ralph Morgan

Raymond Wrede, Coe's secretary, who was also in love with Hilda and believed that Coe stood between them.

Helen Vinson

Doris Delafield, Coe's mistress, who was about to run away with her art dealer boyfriend, Eduardo Grassi, until Coe caught them together and canceled a very important business deal with Grassi and broke off his relationship with Doris.

Last but not least, Liang, Coe's cook, who had been helping his employer illegally purchase ancient Chinese art, is caught hiding evidence. Now, he is added to the list of suspects.

After, an attempt is made on Sir Thomas' life. Vance, with the help of Sir Thomas and a Doberman pinscher.. comes up with a plan to expose who the killer is...

Video: Full length movie.



As far as murder mystery films go, it just doesn't get any better with it's many twists and turns that make this film a fast-moving, fun mystery.

Mary Astor(May 3, 1906 – September 25, 1987). Mary's parents wanted something more for their daughter and entered her into many beauty contests. Which eventually caught the attention of Hollywood.

 Her first movie was a bit part in, The Scarecrow (1920). Throughout 1921-1923 she continued her career with minor roles in a number of movies.

 In 1924, Mary landed a role as Lady Margery Alvaney opposite the great John Barrymore in the film, Beau Brummel (1924). She stared with him again in the film, Don Juan (1926).

Mary was one of those lucky actresses who made the successful transition to "talkies" because of her voice and strong screen presence. Mary's career took off in successful films such as, Red Dust (1932), Convention City (1933), Man of Iron (1935), and The Prisoner of Zenda (1937).

In 1938, Mary turned out five films which kept her in the spotlight. In 1941, she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role of Sandra Kovac in, The Great Lie (1941). That same year she performed in the film, The Maltese Falcon (1941), but her star soon began to fade.

Her final film was, Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964).

Pre-Code: The Man with Two Faces (1934).

The Man with Two Faces (1934). Directed by Archie Mayo, the film stars Edward G. Robinson, Mary Astor, Ricardo Cortez, Louis Calhern and Mae Clarke. The story was adapted by Tom Reed and Niven Busch from the play The Dark Tower by George S. Kaufman and Alexander Woollcott. The Man with Two Faces was actress Margaret Dale's last movie, and only talkie.

The story begins when Jessica Wells, a talented actress, is returning to the stage after a three-year absence. Her family and friends are shocked when Vance, her long-lost husband with a criminal past, shows up. He immediately takes over Jessica life.

Vance, soon learns that his wife holds half the rights to the play in which she will be performing, which now might turn out to be a disaster in her present state.

Damon Wells, wants to help his sister's comeback acting as her coach. He and Jessica's manager realize that they must get rid of Vance, so Damon pretends to be French theatrical producer Jules Chautard, and lures Vance, to a hotel room believing that he will be paid for Jessica's half-interest in the play, but is murdered. Damon covers his tracks, but accidentally leaves behind a few clues. Will Sergeant William Curtis, use the clues to crack the case?

When, EDWARD G. ROBINSON, goes under cover you will not recognize him. Not one of my favorite MARY ASTOR performance, but still entertaining. MAE CLARKE, has a more spirited role as girlfriend of Robinson. I enjoyed the Pre-Code ending.

Mae Clarke (August 16, 1910 – April 29, 1992) . She started her professional career as a dancer sharing a room with Barbara Stanwyck and starred in many films for Universal Studios, including the film, The Front Page (1931) and the first sound version of Frankenstein (1931) with Boris Karloff. Clarke played the role of Henry Frankenstein's fiancee Elizabeth in Frankenstein, who was attacked by the Monster on her wedding day. The Public Enemy, released that same year, contained featured one of cinema's most famous scenes, in which James Cagney pushed a half grapefruit into Clarke's face, then went out and picked up Jean Harlow.

She performed as Myra Deauville, in the 1931 Pre-Code version of Waterloo Bridge. In the film, she plays a young American woman who is forced into a life of prostitution in World War I London.

She also appeared in the modest pre-code film, Night World (1932), with Lew Ayres, Boris Karloff, and Hedda Hopper.

By the mid-1930s, Clarke was no longer a leading lady and was only featured in small or bit parts through to the 1960s.

CMBA Blogathon - Movies of 1939: Midnight(1939).

Midnight (1939). Romantic/ comedy. Director: Mitchell Leisen. Written by Charles Brackett and Billy Wilder based on a story by Edwin Justus Mayer and Franz Schulz. Cast: Claudette Colbert, Don Ameche and John Barrymore.

Eve Peabody an American showgirl, finds herself stranded in Paris one rainy night. Eve makes a deal with cab driver Tibor Czerny, to double his fee for driving her from nightclub to nightclub looking for a job. Eve, decides to run away from him when it looks like he is becoming interested in her. She hides from him at a charity event where she meets, millionaire Georges Flammarion.

The adventure begins after Georges gives her the title of the Baroness Czerny and Eve finds herself in a room at the Ritz, every girls dream, with beautiful clothes and a chauffeured limousine. Later that morning, Georges, appears at the Ritz to offer Eve the job of taking Jacques away from Helen. She accepts the job and his weekend invitation at his home. That same day, Tibor has organized the cab drivers of Paris to find Eve and on a tip, he finds her at the Flammarion chateau. Just as Helen is about to expose Eve as an impostor, Tibor arrives as the Baron to claim his wife. Will they be able to keep up the crazy charade?

Favorite quote: Eve Peabody: (at the ball) Don't forget, every Cinderella has her midnight.

This is my second Midnight movie review. I thought the story was magical. Once again, Claudette Colbert shows that she is a wonderful comedian. Don Ameche, gives one of my favorite performances. Mary Astor, combines beauty and meanness into a wonderful performance.

Please click here to view Dawn's first Midnight(1939) movie review.

Claudette Colbert ( September 13, 1903 – July 30, 1996), was a French-born American stage and film actress. Claudette began her career on Broadway during the 1920s, moving onto talking pictures. She began a successful film career with Paramount Pictures and later, as a freelance performer. Claudette was recognized as one of the leading women of screwball comedy. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in the film, It Happened One Night (1934), and also received Academy Award nominations for her dramatic roles in Private Worlds (1935) and Since You Went Away (1944).

Her film career began to decline in the 1950s, and she made her last film in 1961. Colbert continued to act in theater and, briefly, in television during her later years.

Don Ameche (May 31, 1908 – December 6, 1993) was an Academy Award winning actor. Ameche was a versatile and popular film actor in the 1930s and '40s, usually as the handsome, leading man. He was also popular as a radio master of ceremonies during this time. As his film popularity began to fade in the 1950s, he continued working in theater and some TV. His film career made a comeback in the 1980s as an aging millionaire in, Trading Places (1983) and in the film,Cocoon (1985).

John Barrymore (February 15, 1882 – May 29, 1942). He began his acting career as a handsome stage actor in light comedy. His success continued in movies in both the silent and sound eras. John Barrymore is mostly known for his roles in movies like, Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde (1920), Grand Hotel (1932), Dinner at Eight (1933), Twentieth Century (1934), and Don Juan (1926). He was the brother of Lionel Barrymore and Ethel Barrymore and was the paternal grandfather of, Drew Barrymore.

Mary Astor (May 3, 1906 – September 25, 1987) was most remembered for her performance in the film, The Maltese Falcon (1941) with Humphrey Bogart. Astor began her long motion picture career as a teenager in the silent movies of the 1920s.

She made a successful transition to talkies, eventually winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film, The Great Lie (1941). She was an MGM contract player through most of the 1940s and continued to act in movies, on television and on stage until her retirement from the screen in 1964. Astor was the author of five novels. Her autobiography became a bestseller, as did her later book, A Life on Film, which was about her career.

Page Miss Glory (1935).

Page Miss Glory (1935). Romantic comedy. Cast: Marion Davies, Pat O'Brien, Mary Astor and Dick Powell. It was based on the play of the same name by Joseph Schrank and Phillip Dunning.

Small town girl Loretta Dalrymple, arrives in New York City and finds a job as a chambermaid in a luxurious hotel. Also, staying at the hotel is con man Wiley and his photographer partner Ed Olsen, who are three weeks behind on their hotel bill. Click and Ed, come up with a plan, to put together a picture of a beautiful woman, by combining the best features of several Hollywood beauties and enter the picture as "Dawn Glory" in a nationwide beauty contest for the $2500 prize. Which they win.

Bingo Nelson a pilot, immediately falls in love when he sees her picture. After flying a serum to Alaska through a blizzard, he proposes to Dawn on national radio. As a result, reporters want to interview Miss Glory, putting Click in a tough spot. Slattery of the Express digs up Click's checkered past to try to blackmail him into giving him an interview. Ed's girlfriend Gladys Russell finds Loretta trying on a dress delivered for Dawn. Earlier in the day, Loretta had her hair styled in the new hairdo called, "Dawn's bobb". Gladys and Ed think that she looks a lot like the "picture" and decide to pass off Loretta as Dawn. Soon, advertising endorsements and royalties come rolling in, making Click and Ed rich.

Meanwhile, Loretta has fallen in love with a newspaper picture of Bingo. Now, that she is famous she hopes she will meet Russell and when she does.. the troubles begin.

Marion Davies, shines in this fun film from beginning to end. Dick Powell, Mary Astor and Patsy Kelly, are all wonderful. This one of Davies' last pictures and she was pushing 40, but.. she is brave to play half the film as the dowdy country girl. Davies was a star for 20 years and made the switch to talkies.

Patsy Kelly (January 12, 1910 – September 24, 1981). Kelly, like many New York actors, made her screen debut in a Vitaphone short subject filmed there. Producer Hal Roach hired Kelly to co-star with Thelma Todd in a series of short-subject comedies. The Todd-Kelly shorts created Patsy Kelly's image: a brash, wisecracking woman. Later, in the series showcased Kelly's dancing skills. Thelma Todd died in 1935, and Kelly finished out the series.

Patsy Kelly then moved into feature films, often playing working-class character roles in comedies and musicals. One of her memorable roles was as Etta, the cook, in the five Academy Awards-nominated comedy, Merrily We Live(1938).

On television she performed in shows: The Man from U.N.C.L.E, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Wild Wild West, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. She also made a memorable performance as Laura-Louise in the film, Rosemary's Baby (1968).

Kelly performed as the housekeeper Mrs. Schmauss in the film, Freaky Friday(1976). Her final movie performance was in the Disney comedy, The North Avenue Irregulars(1979).

Patsy Kelly movies I have seen:
1935 Page Miss Glory.
1938 There Goes My Heart.
1938 The Cowboy and the Lady.
1941 Topper Returns.
1960 Please Don't Eat the Daisies.
1968 Rosemary's Baby.

Pre- Code: Upper World (1934).

Upper World(1934).Cast: Warren William, Ginger Rogers and Mary Astor.

Rich railroad tycoon Alex Stream, is a loving family man. His wife Hettie's, first priority in life is her rich society friends.

When Alex rescues drowning showgirl Lilly Linder, he finds her very charming and she thanks him by cooking dinner for him.

When Hettie forgets their wedding anniversary and makes other plans, Alex invites Lilly to join him for dinner. Soon after, Alex finds himself spending a lot of time with Lilly.



Lilly's boyfriend, tries to convince her to blackmail Alex, and when she refuses, Lou steals Alex's letters to her. When Lou confronts him, Alex believes that Lilly was also involved in the plan. While he tries to get the letters back from Lou, he shoots and accidentally kills Lilly. Alex shoots Lou in self-defense, then tries to make it look like a murder-suicide. Alex thinks that nobody has seen him, but a policeman recognised his car parked outside the apartment and is convinced that he is the murderer. Will Alex be able to prove his innocence?

Both Mary Astor and Ginger Rogers are both entertaining, in this early movie in their film careers. William is his typical cool self. Dickie Moore is also good as William's son and Naish steals the scenes as the ruthless wannabe gangster. Sidney Toler, the future Charlie Chan, plays the cop out to catch William. It is also fun to see a younger Andy Devine.

Warren William (December 2, 1894 – September 24, 1948) was a Broadway and Hollywood actor, who was nicknamed the "king of Pre-Code".

He attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

After moving from Broadway to Hollywood in 1931, he reached his peak as a leading man in early 1930's pre-Code films. He was known for playing heartless businessmen and lawyers, including the Sam Spade character in the second filming of, The Maltese Falcon, called Satan Met a Lady (1936).

He also played sympathetic roles as in, Imitation of Life, in which he portrayed Claudette Colbert's love interest. He appeared as her love interest again that year, when he played Julius Caesar in the film, Cleopatra. He was the swashbuckling d'Artagnan in, The Man in the Iron Mask(1939).

William, was the first to portray the defense attorney, Perry Mason and starred in four Perry Mason mysteries.

He also played Raffles-like reformed jewel thief, The Lone Wolf beginning with The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt (1939) and he starred as detective Philo Vance, in two films in that series, 1934's The Dragon Murder Case and 1939's The Gracie Allen Murder Case.

Turnabout(1940).

Turnabout(1940). Comedy film. Directed by Hal Roach. Cast: Adolphe Menjou, Carole Landis and John Hubbard. Based on the 1931 novel of the same name by Thorne Smith, the screenplay was written by Mickell Novack, Bernie Giler and John McClain with additional dialogue by Rian James.

Tim Willows and his wife Sally continually argue in front of Mr. Ram, an Indian statue given to them by a relative. After a hard day at work for Tim and Sally a day as a lady of leisure, get into a heated argument, both making a wish to change places. Mr. Ram begins to speak and grants their wish.

The next morning, Tim and Sally find themselves in the other's body. Tim, in the body of Sally, stays home and causes problems at home, while Sally, in the body of Tim, goes off to the office and creates problems at work.

When Sally returns home from her day at the office, the couple beg Mr. Ram to put them back into their original bodies. Using Sally's pregnancy as an excuse for their strange behavior, they go out to smooth things over with the clients and friends. Just as you think things are back to normal, the real trouble begins.

I really wanted to see this film because I'm a huge Carole Landis fan. I thought the main cast was very charming. Even the minor roles by Donald Meek, Franklin Pangborn and Marjorie Main, were wonderful performances. John Hubbard, was hilarious in his gender switching role. The situations and the dialog were rather colorful for a 1940's film.

John Hubbard, took acting lessons at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, where he received movie offers. He was signed by Paramount in 1937, but his contract was sold to MGM a year later.

 At MGM, Hubbard played a leading role in, Dramatic School (1938), which lead to a four-picture deal with Hal Roach, who used Hubbard in comedies such as The Housekeeper's Daughter (1939), Road Show (1940) and Turnabout (1940).

Hubbard did a dramatic turn in Whispering Footsteps(1943), but returned to comedy.

In 1950 he became a supporting actor, he played "Brown" in The Mickey Rooney Show (12 episodes), "Bill Bronson" in My Little Margie (4 episodes), "Col. U. Charles Barker" in the military comedy Don't Call Me Charlie (18 episodes) and "Ted Gaynor" in Family Affair (8 episodes), but most of his television appearances were in one-off roles.

Between acting roles, Hubbard worked as an automobile salesman and the manager of a restaurant.

He retired from acting in 1974 after a character role in Herbie Rides Again, although he made one more appearance in a television movie in 1980.

Other John Hubbard films I have seen:
1941 You'll Never Get Rich
1951 Bullfighter and the Lady
1957 Pal Joey
1958 The Buccaneer
1974 Herbie Rides Again

Carole Landis

This is the list of  other "Body switch/swapping", movies I came up with:
1. Being John Malkovich
2. Big
3. Freaky Friday
4. Mulholland Drive
5. Face/Off
6. Vice Versa
7. 18 Again!
8. Like Father, Like Son
9. Dream a Little Dream

Blond Fever(1944). Gloria Grahame's first film performance.

Blond Fever(1944). Directed by Richard Whorf. Cast: Philip Dorn, Mary Astor, Felix Bressart, Gloria Grahame, in her first film performance.

Peter's wife Delilah, knows that Peter is having an affair with Sally Murfin, one of the cigarette girls at one of the nightclubs in Reno and decides to tell her that his Cafe, is losing money in hopes of scaring her off. Peter overhears the lie and denies it. Later, Delilah comes up with another plan to end their relationship when she hires Sally's fiancee, Freddie Bilson, as a waiter.

When a radio show announces the winner of a lottery, Peter and Freddie, who have both entered the contest, listen as the numbers are called. Peter has the winning ticket, which makes Peter and Sally very happy.

Later, Freddie accidentally walks in on Sally and Peter in the wine cellar, he awkwardly pulls a gun on Peter and threatens to kill him. Peter tells Freddie that he and Sally are in love and plan to marry.

That night, Delilah asks Peter for a divorce, and instead of alimony, she tells him that she wants the lottery check. While Delilah is packing her bags, Peter tells Sally's friend Johnny that he has made a big mistake and that he wants to win back his wife. Will Freddie find a way to win back Sally's forgiveness?



What a fun cast, Mary Astor and Gloria Grahame. This film does a wonderful job of entertaining. I think it is a very charming way to spend the afternoon, especially watching Gloria Grahame, in her first film performance.

Elisabeth Risdon (26 April 1887 – 20 December 1958). In 1918 she graduated from the London Royal Academy of arts with high honors.

She attracted the attention of George Bernard Shaw and was cast as the lead in his biggest plays. Besides her performances for Shaw, she was leading lady for actors like George Arliss, Otis Skinner and William Faversham.

She was also under contract to the Theatre Guild for many years.

In later years, she taught drama to patients at a veterans administration hospital near her Brentwood home.

She was married to the silent film director George Loane Tucker who left her a widow in 1921. She later married actor Brandon Evans, who died in April, 1958.

Risdon died in December 1958 in St Johns Hospital in Santa Monica, California from a cerebral hemorrhage.

Mary Astor

Mary Astor began her movie career as a teenager in the silent movies of the early 1920s and made a successful transition to talkies. Astor, won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Sandra Kovak in, The Great Lie (1941).

She gave a wonderful performance as the selfish, concert pianist, who gives up her child. Davis wanted Astor cast in the role after watching her screen test and seeing her play Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1.

She then wanted Astor to help with her on rewriting the script. Astor followed Davis's advice and wore a bobbed hairdo for the role. The soundtrack of the movie during the scenes where she plays with violent hand movements on the piano, was actually played by pianist Max Rabinovitch. Davis stepped back to allow Astor to shine. Astor and Davis became good friends.



After The Great Lie (1941), Astor was signed on to a MGM contract through most of the 1940s and continued to act in movies, television and stage until her retirement in 1964. Astor was the author of five novels. Her autobiography became a bestseller, as did her book, A Life on Film, which was about her career.

The Great Lie (1941).

The Great Lie (1941). Drama. Director: Edmund Goulding. The screenplay by Lenore J. Coffee, the movie is based on the novel, January Heights by Polan Banks. Cast: Bette Davis, Mary Astor, who the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and George Brent.

When concert pianist Sandra Kovak and her aviator husband Peter Van Allen learn their marriage is not valid because her divorce had not been finalized. Peter realizes that he really is not in love with Sandra and flies to Maryland to marry Maggie, his long time love.

Five days later, Pete's job calls him back to Washington, D.C., Maggie waits for him in New York. There she learns that Sandra is expecting a baby and intends to use her pregnancy to get Pete back.

Pete does not return to New York, but leaves for a mapping flight over the Brazilian jungle and when his plane goes missing, everyone believes he has crashed in the jungle and killed.

Now, that everyone thinks Pete is not coming back, Maggie suggests that she raise the child as her own. The two women go to Arizona to await the birth of Sandra's son, who is named after his father.

Sandra then goes off on her world tour, during which Peter, returns home and Maggie leads him to believe the boy is theirs. Will Sandra return, wanting the father and son for herself?

"The Great Lie", may not have been a very believable, love triangle, but the performances were all very good.



After the movie The Letter, Betty was vacationing in New Hampshire, when she was offered the part of Maggie Peterson in, The Great Lie. She wasn't very excited about it, but fans wanted her to play a nice role for a change. The best scenes are the confrontations between Davis and Astor. I thought Bette Davis and Mary Astor were equal in their wonderful performances.

George Brent (March 15, 1899 – May 26, 1979), Signed a contract with Warner Brothers, in the late 1930s and 1940s.

Highly regarded by Bette Davis, he became her most frequent male co-star, appearing with her in thirteen films, including Front Page Woman (1935), Special Agent (1935), The Golden Arrow (1936), Jezebel (1938), The Old Maid (1939), Dark Victory (1939) and The Great Lie (1941).

Brent also played opposite Ruby Keeler in 42nd Street (1933), Greta Garbo in The Painted Veil (1934), Madeleine Carroll in The Case Against Mrs. Ames (1936), Jean Arthur in More Than a Secretary (1936), Myrna Loy in Stamboul Quest (1934) and The Rains Came (1939), Merle Oberon in 'Til We Meet Again (1940), Ann Sheridan in Honeymoon for Three (1941), Joan Fontaine in The Affairs of Susan (1945), Barbara Stanwyck in The Purchase Price (1932), The Gay Sisters (1942) and My Reputation (1946), Claudette Colbert in Tomorrow Is Forever (1946), Dorothy McGuire in The Spiral Staircase (1946), Lucille Ball in Lover Come Back (1946) and Yvonne De Carlo in Slave Girl (1947).

Brent drifted into "B" pictures from the late 1940's and retired from film in 1953.

He continued to appear on television until 1960, starring in the series Wire Service in 1956.

In 1978, he made one last film, the made-for-television production Born Again.