Paramount Pictures
This was a huge week for new movie releases with several titles making their debuts each week in every decade over the last 100 years. The list includes classic, both popular and cult, hits and misses, big stars and notable directors. With a lot to get through this week, we’ll skip all the teases and let you get right to it. Are any of your favorites on the list?
1921
- No films were released this week in 1921.
1931
March 21 – Honor Among Lovers
- Cast: Claudette Colbert, Fredric March, Monroe Owsley, Charles Ruggles, Ginger Rogers, Avonne Taylor, Pat J. O’Brien, Janet McLeary, Ralph Morgan, Leonard Carey, Winifred Harris, Charles Halton, Granville Bates
- Director: Dorothy Arzner
- Studio: Paramount Pictures
- Trivia: The film premiered in New York City on February 28.
1941
March 21 – The Lady Eve
- Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, Henry Fonda, Charles Coburn, Eugene Pallette, William Demarest, Eric Blore, Melville Cooper, Janet Beecher, Martha O’Driscoll, Robert Greig, Dora Clement, Luis Alberni
- Director: Preston Sturges
- Studio: Paramount Pictures
- Trivia: The film’s New York City premiere was held on February 25. The film was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry in 1994. Loosely based on a 19-page story by Monckton Hoffe titled ‘Two Bad Hats’, which was also the film’s working title. A script was written with Claudette Colbert expected to star. The first draft of the script was rejected by the Hays Office for the suggestion of a sexual affair between the leads without any moral consequence by the end. A revised script was accepted. Brian Aherne and Joel McCrea were considered for the male lead, with Madeleine Carroll and Paulette Goddard considered for the female. Fred MacMurray and Carroll were announced in August 1940, but Darryl Zanuck lent Henry Fonda to Paramount for the film to star with Goddard, who was then replaced by Barbara Stanwyck. Preston Sturges often wore flamboyant, colorful outfits on set to help the crew find him among the crowd of actors, technicians and the public. The film received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Story. After three films together, Fonda always referred to Stanwyck as his favorite leading lady. The film was the first big comedy hit for both actors who were known for more dramatic roles. Lux Radio Theater broadcast a 60-minute adaptation of the film on March 9, 1942 with Stanwyck and Charles Coburn reprising their roles. Stanwyck’s wedding gown in the film designed by Edith Head caused such a sensation that it was copied and sold as ‘The Lady Eve Dress’.
March 21 – The Sea Wolf
- Cast: Edward G. Robinson, Ida Lupino, John Garfield, Alexander Knox, Gene Lockhart, Barry Fitzgerald, Stanley Ridges, David Bruce, Francis McDonald, Howard Da Silva, Frank Lackteen
- Director: Michael Curtiz
- Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures
- Trivia: Adaptation of Jack London’s 1904 novel. Existing copies of the film had been cut by 13 minutes for a 1947 re-release as part of a double feature with The Sea Hawk. 35mm elements were discovered at the Museum of Modern Art, and a complete cut of the original theatrical version was screened on April 26, 2018 at the 9th Tuner Classic Movies Film Festival. That version was also released on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive in 2017. George Raft turned down a role in the film because it was ‘too small’. The film was nominated for the Best Special Effects Oscar. This was the first movie to have its world premiere on a ship, the luxury liner ‘America’ sailing from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Screen Director’s Playhouse broadcast a 30-minute radio adaptation of the film on February 3, 1950 with Robinson reprising his role.
1951
March 23 – Royal Wedding
- Cast: Fred Astaire, Jane Powell, Peter Lawford, Sarah Churchill, Keenan Wynn, Albert Sharpe
- Director: Stanley Donen
- Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Trivia: The film premiered in New York City on March 8. Stanley Donen’s second film, and the first he directed alone. Known in the UK as Wedding Bells. Charles Walters was to be the film’s original director, and June Allyson was to be the female lead, but Judy Garland was signed to replace Allyson who was pregnant. Walters objected to Garland’s casting after the tumultuous shoot he endured with her on Summer Stock, so Arthur Freed fired him and hired Donen. Garland began calling in sick just as principal photography was to begin to Freed replaced her with Jane Powell, and MGM cancelled Garland’s contract after 14 years. One of the film’s songs, ‘Too Late Now’, was nominated for the Best Original Song Oscar. Fred Astaire claimed he danced with 30 commercially available hat racks before the prop department custom built one for the number. It disappeared shortly after filming. Actress Sarah Churchill is Winston Churchill’s daughter. Keenan Wynn’s singing voice was dubbed by an uncredited Bill Reeves. Powell reprised her role for the April 14, 1952 Lux Radio Theater adaptation of the film.
1961
March 19 – The Rebel
- Cast: Tony Hancock, George Sanders, Paul Massie, Margit Saad, Grégoire Aslan, Dennis Price, Irene Handl, John Le Mesurier, Liz Fraser, Mervyn Johns, Peter Bull, Nanette Newman, Marie Burke, Oliver Reed, Mario Fabrizi, Bernard Rebel, John Wood, Victor Platt
- Director: Robert Day
- Studio: Associated British Picture Corporation, distributed by Warner-Pathé Distributors
- Trivia: The film’s London premiere was held on March 2 before going into general release on March 19. The film’s working title was One Man’s Meat. The film opened in the US on October 16 under the title Call Me Genius. George Sanders had a clause in his contract that allowed him to purchase his character’s Saville Row suits for half price. The car he drove was his own, which he leased to the production.
March 20 – Blast of Silence
- Cast: Allen Baron, Molly McCarthy, Larry Tucker, Peter Clume
- Director: Allen Baron
- Studio: Magla Productions, distributed by Universal Pictures
- Trivia: The fist fight scene was filmed on Long Island during Hurricane Donna (September 10-12, 1960), the only 20th Century hurricane to blanket the entire East Coast. Peter Falk was originally offered the lead role for no pay, which he considered taking until he got a paying job.
March 22 – All in a Night’s Work
- Cast: Dean Martin, Shirley MacLaine, Cliff Robertson, Charles Ruggles, Norma Crane, Jack Weston, John Hudson, Jerome Cowan, Gale Gordon, Ralph Dumke, Mabel Albertson, Rex Evans, Mary Treen, Roy Gordon, Ian Wolfe
- Director: Joseph Anthony
- Studio: Wallis-Hazen, distributed by Paramount Pictures
- Trivia: During a struggle in which MacLaine attempts to get away from Martin, they accidentally ripped the expensive fur coat MacLaine was wearing.
1971
Walt Disney Pictures
March 17 – The Barefoot Executive
- Cast: Kurt Russell, Joe Flynn, Harry Morgan, Wally Cox, Heather North, Alan Hewitt, Hayden Rorke, John Ritter, Jack Bender, Tom Anfinsen, George N. Neise, Ed Reimers, Morgan Farley, Glenn Dixon, Robert Shayne, Tris Coffin, James B. Douglas, Ed Prentiss, Fabian Dean, Iris Adrian, Smilin’ Jack Smith, Eve Brent, Sandra Gould, James Flavin, Peter Renaday, Judson Pratt, Vince Howard, Hal Baylor, Bill Daily, Dave Willock, Anthony Teague, Edward Faulkner
- Director: Robert Butler
- Studio: Walt Disney Productions, distributed by Buena Vista Distribution
- Trivia: Also known as The Rating Game. This marked John Ritter’s film debut. The film was remade for the Disney Channel in 1995. This was Wally Cox’s last film.
1981
March 20 – Amy
- Cast: Jenny Agutter, Barry Newman, Kathleen Nolan, Chris Robinson, Lou Fant, Margaret O’Brien, Nanette Fabray, Lance LeGault, Lucille Benson, Jonathan Daly, Lonny Chapman, Brian Frishman, Jane Daly, Dawn Jeffory, Peggy McCay
- Director: Vincent McEveety
- Studio: Walt Disney Productions, distributed by Buena Vista Distribution
- Trivia: The film was originally made for broadcast on The Wonderful World of Disney but was given a theatrical release instead.
March 20 – The Final Conflict
- Cast: Sam Neill, Lisa Harrow, Rossano Brazzi, Don Gordon, Barnaby Holm, Leueen Willoughby, Marc Boyle, Milos Kirek, Tommy Duggan, Louis Mahoney, Richard Oldfield, Tony Vogel, Hugh Moxey, Mason Adams, Robert Arden
- Director: Graham Baker
- Studio: Mace Neufeld Productions, distribtued by 20th Century Fox
- Trivia: Ruby Wax and Hazel Court appear in uncredited roles. This was Court’s last film. The film’s title is simply The Final Conflict, although it was released as Omen III: The Final Conflict for video as stores would stock titles alphabetically. In Germany and Hungary, the film was released as Barbara’s Baby. This title appeared on posters in many countries before the actual title was announced. Actor James Mason suggested Sam Neill for the lead role. Jack Nicholson, Marlon Brando and Gene Hackman were all considered for the role of Damien before it was decided to make him much younger. Still, the character is too old in the film’s continuity so retroactive changes to the franchise’s continuity had to be applied to the story to re-set the previous two films in an earlier time period. Footage of the Subiaco monastery was stock footage from the first film, as was footage of the Ambassador walking to the US Embassy. Footage of the White House was taken from Superman II. Another sequel, Omen IV: Armageddon, based on the novel Omen IV: Armageddon 2000, was planned for release in 1984, but various conflicts and the death of the second director cancelled the project. A fifth and final novel, Omen V: The Abomination, was written by Gordon McGill. Fox did produce the TV movie Omen IV: The Awakening as an attempt to revive the franchise but it was a failure.
March 20 – The Postman Always Rings Twice
- Cast: Jack Nicholson, Jessica Lange, John Colicos, Michael Lerner, John P. Ryan, Anjelica Huston, William Traylor, Ron Flagge, William Newman, Chuck Liddell, Albert Henderson, Christopher Lloyd
- Director: Bob Rafelson
- Studio: Lorimar Productions, Northstar International, distributed by Paramount Pictures
- Trivia: This was David Mamet’s film writing debut. It is the fourth adaptation of the 1934 novel by James M. Cain, the second version in English, and the first in color. Lana Turner, star of the 1946 version, refused to see the remake saying she resented how the studio “turned it into such pornographic trash” based on the advertisements she had seen. Meryl Streep was considered for the role of Cora but rejected it. Kim Basinger tested for the role of Cora.
March 22 – Inseminoid
- Cast: Judy Geeson, Robin Clarke, Jennifer Ashley, Stephanie Beacham, Steven Grives, Barrie Houghton, Rosalind Lloyd, Victoria Tennant, Trevor Thomas, Heather Wright, David Baxt, Dominic Jephcott, John Segal, Kevin O’Shea, Robert Pugh
- Director: Norman J. Warren
- Studio: Jupiter Film Productions, distributed by Butcher’s Film Service
- Trivia: The film opened in the UK on March 22, but did not get a US release until November 1982 under the title Horror Planet, but the title was later changed back to Inseminoid. The film’s original title was Doomseeds but changed to avoid confusion with Demon Seed.
1991
March 21 – Flirting
- Cast: Noah Taylor, Thandie Newton, Nicole Kidman, Kym Wilson, Naomi Watts, Les Hill
- Director: John Duigan
- Studio: Kennedy Miller, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
- Trivia: The film opened in Australia on March 21, followed by the UK on October 25. It had a New York City premiere on November 6, 1992 followed by a general release on November 14. Noah Taylor reprises his role of Danny Embling from 1987’s The Year My Voice Broke. Flirting was the second film of a never completed trilogy. This was the film debut of Thandie Newton, who was 16 at the time of production.
March 21 – Voyager
- Cast: Sam Shepard, Julie Delpy, Barbara Sukowa, Dieter Kirchlechner, Traci Lind, Deborra-Lee Furness, August Zirner, Thomas Heinze, Bill Dunn, Peter Berling
- Director: Volker Schlöndorff
- Studio: Action Films, Bioskop Film, Stefi 2, distributed by Castle Hill Productions (US)
- Trivia: The film opened in Germany on March 21, but did not see a US release until January 31, 1992. Adapted from the 1957 novel Homo Faber by Max Frisch.
March 22 – Defending Your Life
- Cast: Albert Brooks, Meryl Streep, Rip Torn, Lee Grant, Buck Henry, George D. Wallace, Lillian Lehman, S. Scott Bullock, Carol Bivins, Susan Walters, Gary Beach
- Director: Albert Brooks
- Studio: The Geffen Film Company, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
- Trivia: The film opened in limited release on March 22 before expanding on April 5. Shirley MacLaine makes a cameo appearances as the holographic host of the ‘Past Lives Pavillion’. The trams used in the film are old ones from the Universal Studios Hollywood tour. This was Ethan Embry’s feature film debut as Ethan Randall. Glenn Close was offered the role of Julia but was unable to accept so she suggested Meryl Streep. Audrey Hepburn was offered the role of Lena Foster but had retired from acting after a small role in Steven Spielberg’s Always in 1989.
March 22 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze
- Cast: Paige Turco, David Warner, Ernie Reyes Jr., François Chau, Kevin Nash, Toshishiro Obata, Mark Doerr, Michael Pressman
- Voice Cast: Brian Tochi, Robbie Rist, Adam Carl, Laurie Faso, Kevin Clash, David McCharen, Michael McConnohie, Frank Welker
- Director: Michael Pressman
- Studio: New Line Cinema, Golden Harvest Productions, Mirage Enterprises, Northshore Investments, distributed by New Line Cinema (United States), 20th Century Fox (International)
- Trivia: To tone down the violence of the previous film, the Turtles rarely use their weapons when fighting. Ernie Reyes Jr. was the stunt double for Donatello in the first film and was liked so much the producers created a role for him in the sequel. Producers replaced Corey Feldman as the voice of Donatello with Adam Carl due to Feldman’s drug-related issues at the time.
2001
Paramount Pictures
March 23 – Heartbreakers
- Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ray Liotta, Jason Lee, Anne Bancroft, Jeffrey Jones, Gene Hackman, Nora Dunn, Julio Oscar Mechoso, Ricky Jay, Sarah Silverman, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Hitchcock, Carrie Fisher, Elya Baskin
- Director: David Mirkin
- Studio: Davis Entertainment, Winchester Films, distributed by MGM Distribution Co. (North America), Films & TV House (International)
- Trivia: This was the last film of Anne Bancroft. While the film is set in Palm Beach, Florida, most of it was shot in Los Angeles. Jennifer Love Hewitt broke a finger while filming the ‘flopper dive’ scene which prevented her from doing most of the card tricks she had learned from Ricky Jay. Norman Reedus turned down the role of Jack Withrowe. The film’s original title was The Breakers, the name of the swank Palm Beach resort. The company passed on the option to include their name as the title and removed all association with the production, but still allowed MGM to film on the premises. Jennifer Aniston and Cher were the original casting choices for the two leads.
March 23 – Say It Isn’t So
- Cast: Heather Graham, Chris Klein, Orlando Jones, Sally Field, Richard Jenkins, John Rothman, Jack Plotnick, Eddie Cibrian, Mark Pellegrino, Henry Cho, Brent Hinkley, Richard Riehle, Brent Briscoe, Ezra Buzzington, Julie White, Courtney Peldon, Matthew Peters, Lin Shaye, C. Ernst Harth, Sarah Silverman
- Director: J. B. Rogers
- Studio: Conundrum Entertainment, distributed by 20th Century Fox
- Trivia: The film’s premiere was held on March 12. Suzanne Somers has an uncredited role in the film. Peter Berg was originally set to direct.
March 23 – The Brothers
- Cast: Morris Chestnut, D.L. Hughley, Bill Bellamy, Shemar Moore, Gabrielle Union, Tatyana Ali, Jenifer Lewis, Susan Dalian, Tamala Jones, Clifton Powell, Julie Benz, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Angelle Brooks, Gary Hardwick, Nadege Auguste
- Director: Gary Hardwick
- Studio: Screen Gems, Bro-Boyz Productions, Inc., distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing
- Trivia: The film premiered at the Pan African Film Festival on February 18.
2011
March 18 – Limitless
- Cast: Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish, Robert De Niro, Anna Friel, Johnny Whitworth, Richard Bekins, Robert John Burke, Tomas Arana, T.V. Carpio, Patricia Kalember, Andrew Howard, Ned Eisenberg
- Director: Neil Burger
- Studio: Virgin Produced, Rogue, Many Rivers Productions, Boy of the Year, Intermedia Film, distributed by Relativity Media
- Trivia: The film premiered in New York City on March 8. Based on the 2001 novel The Dark Fields, the film’s original title, by Alan Glynn. Shia LeBeouf was originally announced as the film’s star in April 2008 but had to drop out after badly injuring his hand in a car accident. A continuation of the film aired as a CBS TV series which premiered on September 22, 2015. Bradley Cooper reprised his film role in several episodes. The series was cancelled after one season. The apartment Eddie Morra lives in is the same apartment in the film Kick-Ass.
March 18 – The Lincoln Lawyer
- Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Marisa Tomei, Ryan Phillippe, Josh Lucas, John Leguizamo, Michael Peña, Bob Gunton, Frances Fisher, Bryan Cranston, William H. Macy, Trace Adkins, Laurence Mason, Margarita Levieva, Pell James, Shea Whigham, Katherine Moennig, Michael Paré, Michaela Conlin, Mackenzie Aladjem
- Director: Brad Furman
- Studio: Lakeshore Entertainment, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Stone Village Pictures, distributed by Lionsgate
- Trivia: The film’s Hollywood premiere was held on March 10. Adapted from the 2005 novel by Michael Connelly.
March 18 – Win Win
- Cast: Paul Giamatti, Alex Shaffer, Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale, Jeffrey Tambor, Burt Young, Melanie Lynskey, Margo Martindale, David W. Thompson, Mike Diliello, Nina Arianda, Marcia Haufrecht, Sharon Wilkins
- Director: Tom McCarthy
- Studio: Fox Searchlight Pictures, Everest Entertainment, Groundswell Productions, Next Wednesday Productions, distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures
- Trivia: The film premiered at Sundance on January 21, then began a limited run on March 18 before going into general release on April 15. Alex Shaffer was the New Jersey state high school wrestling champion the year before the film was made, but had to quit the sport due to a back injury. Amy Ryan took the role of ‘good mom’ Jackie after playing a notoriously ‘bad mom’ in Gone Baby Gone.
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