Hotchka Movies by the Decade feature #78 :: January 19•25

Universal Pictures

While there were quite a few films released this week over the last century, only a handful are very memorable and some are holdovers from the previous year, given limited release for awards consideration. Every decade this week saw new films being released, but it isn’t until 1942 that we get a film that has gone on to become a classic, with Bette Davis at the height of her career in an unusual supporting role. 1952 gave us an Italian film that has earned classic status, and 1962 has a French classic. 1982 produced one cult classic, 1992 gave us a beloved literary adaptation and Oscar nominee, 2002 had another Oscar nominee although it was not a weel-received film, and 2012 gave us a film directed by Madonna, as well as the last film released by Lucasfilm before The Walt Disney Company purchased the studio. Let’s stroll down the red carpet and see if any of your favorite films premiered this week.

1922

January 20 – Marizza

• Cast: Tzwetta Tzatschewa, Adele Sandrock, Harry Frank, Hans Heinrich von Twardowski, Leonhard Haskel, Greta Schröder, Maria Forescu, Albrecht Viktor Blum, Max Nemetz, Toni Zimmerer
• Director: F. W. Murnau
• Production Company: Helios Film
• Trivia: The film was released in Germany on January 20, 1922. Full title is Marizza, called the Smuggler Madonna (Marizza, genannt die Schmugglermadonna). The film is considered lost, although fragments of the first reel exist.

January 22 – The Bride’s Play

• Cast: Marion Davies, John B. O’Brien, Frank Shannon, Wyndham Standing, Carl Miller, Richard Cummings, Eleanor Middleton, Thea Talbot, John P. Wade, Julia Hurley, George Spink
• Director: George Terwilliger
• Production Company: Paramount Pictures
• Trivia: The film is preserved in the Library of Congress. George Spink, who plays the butler, was commissioned to compose a symphonic score for the film, but the music now seems lost.

1932

January 24 – Broken Lullaby

• Cast: Lionel Barrymore, Nancy Carroll, Phillips Holmes, Louise Carter, Lucien Littlefield, ZaSu Pitts, Frank Sheridan, Emma Dunn
• Director: Ernst Lubitsch
• Production Company: Paramount Pictures
• Trivia: Originally titled The Man I Killed, changed to The Fifth Commandment, and released as Broken Lullaby. Based on the 1930 play L’homme que j’ai tué by Maurice Rostand and its 1931 English-language adaptation, The Man I Killed, by Reginald Berkeley. The film’s premiere was held on January 19, 1932. It opened in London on May 10, but did not get a general UK release until November 7.

January 22 – Charlie Chan’s Chance

• Cast: Warner Oland, Alexander Kirkland, H.B. Warner, Marian Nixon, Linda Watkins, James Kirkwood, Ralph Morgan, James Todd, Herbert Bunston, James Wang, Joe Brown, Charles McNaughton, Edward Peil Sr.
• Director: John G. Blystone
• Production Company: Fox Film Corporation
• Trivia: Based on the 1928 novel Behind That Curtain by Earl Derr Biggers. The film was released in London on February 2, 1932, followed by a general UK release on June 6. Warner Oland’s third appearance as Chan. The film is considered lost.

January 23 – Taxi!

• Cast: James Cagney, Loretta Young, George E. Stone, Guy Kibbee, Leila Bennett, Dorothy Burgess, David Landau, George Raft
• Director: Roy Del Ruth
• Production Company: Warner Bros. Pictures
• Trivia: The film was released in the UK on May 16, 1932. George Raft appears uncredited. New Yorker James Cagney had to be taught how to drive for the film.

1942

January 19 – The Big Blockade

• Cast: Leslie Banks, Michael Redgrave, Will Hay, Bernard Miles, Michael Rennie, John Mills, Frank Cellier, Robert Morley, Alfred Drayton, Marius Goring, Austin Trevor, Morland Graham, Albert Lieven, John Stuart, Joss Ambler, Michael Wilding, George Woodbridge, Quentin Reynolds, Elliott Mason, Peter De Greef
• Director: Charles Frend
• Production Company: Ealing Studios, distributed by United Artists Ltd (UK)
• Trivia: The film opened in London on January 19, 1942. The film was also known as Siege. This was Will Hay’s only non-comedic role.

January 22 – Kathleen

• Cast: Shirley Temple, Herbert Marshall, Laraine Day, Gail Patrick, Felix Bressart, Nella Walker, Lloyd Corrigan, Guy Bellis, Wade Boteler, Charles Judels
• Director: Harold S. Bucquet
• Production Company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, distributed by Loew’s, Inc.
• Trivia: The film premiered in New York City on December 18, 1941. Shirley Temple’s comeback film after ‘retiring’ from the screen a year earlier. The only film Temple made for MGM. A body double was always used for Herbert Marshall when he had to run or walk quickly. Marshall had lost a leg in World War I.

January 24 – The Fleet’s In

• Cast: Dorothy Lamour, William Holden, Eddie Bracken, Betty Hutton, Betty Jane Rhodes, Barbara Britton, Jimmy Dorsey Cass Daley
• Director: Victor Schertzinger
• Production Company: Paramount Pictures
• Trivia: Based on the 1933 Kenyon Nicholson–Charles Robinson stage play Sailor, Beware! Oddly, the film’s premiere in New York City took place on March 12, 1942, almost two months after the film’s release. Betty Hutton’s film debut. Final film of Victor Schertzinger, who died before it was released.

Warner Bros. Pictures

January 24 – The Man Who Came to Dinner

• Cast: Bette Davis, Ann Sheridan, Monty Woolley, Richard Travis, Jimmy Durante, Billie Burke, Reginald Gardiner, Elisabeth Fraser, Grant Mitchell, George Barbier, Mary Wickes, Russell Arms, Ruth Vivian, Edwin Stanley, Betty Roadman, Charles Drake, Nanette Vallon, John Ridgely
• Director: William Keighley
• Production Company: Warner Bros. Pictures
• Trivia: Based on the 1939 play The Man Who Came to Dinner by Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman. The film premiered in New York City on January 1, 1942. Monty Woolley, Ruth Vivian, and Mary Wickes reprised their roles from the original Broadway production. Four of the main characters are based on real people: Alexander Woollcott, Gertrude Lawrence, Noel Coward and Harpo Marx. Bette Davis urged Jack Warner to buy the rights to the play so she could play Maggie Cutler, giving her a change of pace from a string of dramatic roles. Davis wanted John Barrymore for the lead of Sheridan Whiteside, but he had trouble reciting the complicated dialogue due to his drinking, encroaching Alzheimers, or both. The studio eventually relented and cast Monty Woolley, who originated the role on stage, even though they were concerned that his homosexuality would be obvious on screen. Davis had said the film was an unhappy experience for her and she never got over not working with Barrymore. Davis had to take several weeks off from production after her dog bit her on the nose.

1952

January 20 – Umberto D.

• Cast: Carlo Battisti, Maria-Pia Casilio, Lina Gennari, Ileana Simova, Elena Rea, Memmo Carotenuto, Alberto Albari Barbieri
• Director: Vittorio De Sica
• Production Company: Dear Film
• Trivia: The film was screened at the Festival de Punta del Este in Uruguay on January 10, 1952. It opened in Italy on January 20, 1952, but did not open in the US until November 7, 1955. It was screened at TIFF on September 10, 1977. Most of the actors were non-professional.

January 25 – The Last Page

• Cast: George Brent, Marguerite Chapman, Diana Dors, Meredith Edwards, Harry Fowler, Raymond Huntley, Peter Reynolds, Eleanor Summerfield, Nelly Arno
• Director: Terence Fisher
• Production Company: Hammer Film Productions, distributed by Lippert Pictures (USA), Exclusive Films (UK)
• Trivia: Based on a play by James Hadley Chase. The film was released in the UK in April 1952 with a running time of 84 minutes. The film was released in the US under the title Man Bait with a running time of 78 minutes. Also known as Murder in Safety and Blonde Blackmail. The first of 29 Hammer films directed by Terence Fisher. The first of a four year deal between Hammer and Lippert Productions. Lippert would supply a well-known Hollywood star to ensure familiarity with American audiences.

1962

January 19 – Tender Is the Night

• Cast: Jennifer Jones, Jason Robards, Jr., Joan Fontaine, Tom Ewell, Cesare Danova, Jill St. John, Paul Lukas, Bea Benaderet, Charles Fredericks, Sanford Meisner, Mac McWhorter, Albert Carrier, Richard de Combray, Carole Mathews, Alan Napier, Leslie Farrell, Michael Crisalli, Earl Grant
• Director: Henry King
• Production Company: 20th Century Fox
• Trivia: Based on the 1934 novel of the same name by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Henry King’s last movie. Received an Oscar nomination for Best Song, ‘Tender Is the Night’. Final film of Bea Benaderet, although she continued to work in television, notably on The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction and Green Acres until her death in 1968.

Janus Films

January 23 – Jules and Jim

• Cast: Jeanne Moreau, Oskar Werner, Henri Serre, Vanna Urbino, Serge Rezvani, Marie Dubois, Sabine Haudepin, Kate Noëlle, Anny Nelsen, Christiane Wagner, Jean-Louis Richard, Michel Varesano, Pierre Fabre, Danielle Bassiak, Bernard Largemains, Elen Bober, Dominique Lacarrière, Michel Subor
• Director: François Truffaut
• Production Company: Les Films du Carrosse / SEDIF, distributed by Cinédis (France), Gala (UK), Janus Films (US)
• Trivia: Based on Henri-Pierre Roché’s 1953 semi-autobiographical novel. The film opened in France and Canada on January 23, 1962. It was released in the US on April 23, and in the UK on May 17. Jeanne Moreau had to jump into a river because her stunt double turned up drunk. Moreau then had to spend 2 days ill in bed. When the production ran out of money, Jeanne Moreau bailed it out with her own personal financial contribution.

1972

January 20 – To Find a Man

• Cast: Pamela Sue Martin, Darren O’Connor, Lloyd Bridges, Phyllis Newman, Tom Ewell, Tom Bosley, Miles Chapin, Schell Rasten, Antonia Rey, Vicki Sue Robinson
• Director: Buzz Kulik
• Production Company: Rastar, distributed by Columbia Pictures
• Trivia: The film was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1972, and was released in the UK on December 10. Pamela Sue Martin’s film debut.

January 21 – X Y and Zee

• Cast: Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Caine, Susannah York, Margaret Leighton, John Standing, Mary Larkin, Michael Cashman
• Director: Brian G. Hutton
• Production Company: Columbia Pictures, Zee Company
• Trivia: Based upon a novel by Edna O’Brien. The film was released in the UK on February 24, 1972. Also known as Zee and Co and Zee and Company.

1982

January 22 – Vice Squad

• Cast: Season Hubley, Gary Swanson, Wings Hauser, Pepe Serna, Beverly Todd, Joseph DiGiroloma, Maurice Emanuel, Wayne Hackett, Nina Blackwood, Sudana Bobatoon, Lydia Lei, Kelly Piper, Kristoffer Anders, Joseph Baroncini, Fred Berry, Tom Brent, Grand L. Bush, Marilyn Coleman, Michael Ensign, Stacy Everly, Cliff Frazier, Lyla Graham, Vincent J. Isaac, Cyndi James Gossett, Robert Miano, Stack Pierce, Barbara Pilavin, Donald Rawley, Cheryl Smith, Hugo Stanger, Nicole Volkoff, Richard Wetzel, Ark Wong
• Director: Gary Sherman
• Production Company: Embassy Pictures
• Trivia: First starring role in a theatrical feature for Wings Hauser. Hauser sang the vocal track for the film’s opening and closing theme song, ‘Neon Slime’.

January 22 – Whose Life Is It Anyway?

• Cast: Richard Dreyfuss, John Cassavetes, Christine Lahti, Bob Balaban, Thomas Carter, Kaki Hunter, Kenneth McMillan, Janet Eilber
• Director: John Badham
• Production Company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, distributed by United Artists (United States/Canada), Cinema International Corporation (International)
• Trivia: The film premiered in New York City on December 2, 1981. It was also released in Canada on January 22. Adapted by Brian Clark and Reginald Rose from Clark’s 1972 television movie and 1978 stage play. Richard Dreyfuss claims to have no memory of making this film due to his heavy drug use in the early 1980s, and he was often only able to work two to three hours a day. The film was intended to be shot in black and white but the studio insisted on color.

1992

January 22 – Afraid of the Dark

• Cast: James Fox, Fanny Ardant, Paul McGann, Clare Holman, Robert Stephens, Susan Wooldridge, David Thewlis, Ben Keyworth, Catriona MacColl, Hilary Mason, Sheila Burrell, Star Acri, Niven Boyd, Tiffany Bryant, Frances Cuka
• Director: Mark Peploe
• Production Company: Les Films Ariane, Telescope Films, Ciné Cinq, distributed by Rank Film Organization (UK), Fine Line Features (USA)
• Trivia: The film screened at the Tokyo International Fantastic Film Festival in October 1991, and at the BFI London Film Festival on November 21, 1991. The film was released in France on January 22, 1992, the UK on February 21, and the US on July 24. Feature film directing debut for Mark Peploe.

January 22 – The Lover

• Cast: Jane March, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Frédérique Meininger, Arnaud Giovaninetti, Melvil Poupaud, Lisa Faulkner, Xiem Mang, Philippe Le Dem, Ann Schaufuss, Jeanne Moreau
• Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud
• Production Company: Films A2, Renn Productions, Burrill Productions, distributed by Pathé (France), Guild Film Distribution (United Kingdom)
• Trivia: Based on the semi-autobiographical 1984 novel of the same name by Marguerite Duras. The film was released in France on January 22, 1992, the UK on June 19, and the US on October 30. Oscar nominated for Best Cinematography. Jane March’s first acting role. March had to deny the sex scenes with Tony Leung Ka-fai were real after director Jean-Jacques Annaud falsely implied to the British press that they were real.

January 24 – Blame It on the Bellboy

• Cast: Dudley Moore, Bryan Brown, Richard Griffiths, Andreas Katsulas, Patsy Kensit, Alison Steadman, Penelope Wilton, Bronson Pinchot, Jim Carter, Alex Norton, John Grillo, Andrew Bailey, Ronnie Stevens, Enzo Turrin, Andy Bradford, Lindsay Anderson
• Director: Mark Herman
• Production Company: Hollywood Pictures, distributed by Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
• Trivia: The film was released in the UK on January 24, 1992, and in the US on March 6. Shot on location in Venice, Italy. Mark Herman’s feature debut as director and screenwriter.

January 24 – Fried Green Tomatoes

• Cast: Kathy Bates, Mary Stuart Masterson, Nancy Moore Atchison, Mary-Louise Parker, Jessica Tandy, Cicely Tyson, Chris O’Donnell, Stan Shaw, Gailard Sartain, Tim Scott, Gary Basaraba, Lois Smith, Danny Nelson, Jo Harvey Allen, Macon McCalman, Richard Riehle, Raynor Scheine, Grace Zabriskie, Nick Searcy, Constance Shulman
• Director: Jon Avnet
• Production Company: Act III Communications, Avnet/Kerner Productions, Electric Shadow Productions, Fried Green Tomatoes Productions
• Trivia: Based on Fannie Flagg’s 1987 novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. The film received a limited release in the US on December 27, 1991 for awards consideration, and entered general release on January 24, 1992. It was released in the UK on March 13, and made its DVD premiere in Canada on February 8, 2005. Nominated for two Oscars: Best Supporting Actress (Jessica Tandy) and Best Adapted Screenplay. Mary Stuart Masterson did all of the bee stunts herself because her stunt double quit at the last minute. Director Jon Avnet’s first theatrical film.

January 24 – Love Crimes

• Cast: Sean Young, Patrick Bergin, James Read, Arnetia Walker, Fern Dorsey
• Director: Lizzie Borden
• Production Company: Miramax Films
• Trivia: The film did not receive a UK release until March 5, 1993.

2002

January 19 – Dark Water

• Cast: Hitomi Kuroki, Yukiko Ikari, Rio Kanno, Asami Mizukawa, Mirei Oguchi, Fumiyo Kohinata, Yu Tokui, Isao Yatsu, Shigemitsu Ogi, Maiko Asano, Shinji Nomura, Kiriko Shimizu, Teruko Hanahara, Youko Yasuda, Tarou Suwa, Shichirou Gou, Sachiko Hara, Tohru Shinagawa
• Director: Hideo Nakata
• Production Company: Oz Films, distributed by Toho
• Trivia: Based on the short story collection by Koji Suzuki. The film was released in Japan on January 19, 2002. It received a general UK release on June 6, 2003, but was only seen in the US at several festivals including the AFI Fest on November 9, 2002, and the Philadelphia International Film Festival on April 6, 2003 before making its DVD debut on June 21, 2005.

January 25 – Bloody Sunday

• Cast: James Nesbitt, Tim Pigott-Smith, Nicholas Farrell, Gerard McSorley, Kathy Kiera Clarke, Allan Gildea, Gerard Crossan, Simon Mann, Mary Moulds, Carmel McCallion, David Clayton Rogers
• Director: Paul Greengrass
• Production Company: Bórd Scannán na hÉireann, Granada Television, Hell’s Kitchen Films, Irish Film Board, Portman Entertainment Group, distributed by Paramount Classics
• Trivia: Inspired by Don Mullan’s politically influential book Eyewitness Bloody Sunday. The film screened at Sundance on January 16, 2002. The film was aired on ITV in the UK on January 20 before its London opening on January 25, and general UK release on February 1. The film received a limited US release on October 4.

January 25 – I Am Sam

• Cast: Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dakota Fanning, Allison and Jillian Thormahlen, Ryan Williams, Felicity Ann and Makindra Sherry Forbes, Elle Fanning, Amanda Lehaf, Dianne Wiest, Loretta Devine, Richard Schiff, Laura Dern, Marin Hinkle, Stanley DeSantis, Brad Silverman, Doug Hutchison, Rosalind Chao, Ken Jenkins, Wendy Phillips, Scott Paulin, Kimberly Scott, Michael B. Silver, Eileen Ryan, Mary Steenburgen, Jen Taylor, Brent Spiner
• Director: Jessie Nelson
• Production Company: The Bedford Falls Company, distributed by New Line Cinema
• Trivia: The film premiered in Beverly Hill on December 3, 2001, and received a limited US release on December 28 for awards consideration. The film entered into limited US release on January 4, 2002 and general release in the US and Canada on January 25. The film was released in the UK on May 10. Sean Penn received a Best Actor Oscar nomination. The film launched the career of seven-year-old Dakota Fanning, who became the youngest actress nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award. Fanning’s sister Elle played her character at the age of 3. Shailene Woodley auditioned for Fanning’s role.

2012

January 20 – Coriolanus

• Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Gerard Butler, Vanessa Redgrave, Brian Cox, Jessica Chastain, John Kani, James Nesbitt, Paul Jesson, Lubna Azabal, Ashraf Barhom, Slavko Štimac, Dragan Mićanović, Radoslav Milenković, Harry Fenn, Jon Snow
• Director: Ralph Fiennes
• Production Company: Icon Entertainment International, BBC Films, Lipsync Productions, Hermetof Pictures, Magna Films, Artemis Films, Magnolia Mae Films, Atlantic Swiss Productions, Synchronistic Pictures, Lonely Dragon, Kalkronkie, distributed by Lionsgate
• Trivia: Adaptation of William Shakespeare’s tragedy Coriolanus. The film was screened at the Berlin International Film Festival on February 14, 2011, at TIFF on September 12, and opened in limited release in the US on December 2 for awards consideration. The general US, UK and Canadian release was January 20, 2012. Ralph Fiennes’ directorial debut.

January 20 – Red Tails

• Cast: Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Nate Parker, David Oyelowo, Tristan Wilds, Ne-Yo, Elijah Kelley, Marcus T. Paulk, Leslie Odom Jr., Michael B. Jordan, Method Man, Bryan Cranston, Kevin Phillips, Andre Royo, Lee Tergesen, Gerald McRaney, Daniela Ruah, Paul Fox, Matthew Marsh, Lars van Riesen, Ryan Early, Henry Garrett, Robert Kazinsky, Rick Otto, Josh Dallas, Jermaine Johnson, Edwina Finley, Stacie Davis, Aml Ameen, Rupert Penry-Jones
• Director: Anthony Hemingway
• Production Company: Lucasfilm Ltd., distributed by 20th Century Fox
• Trivia: The film opened in the US and Canada on January 20, 2012, and in the UK on June 6. The last film Lucasfilm released before being purchased by The Walt Disney Company. Director Anthony Hemingway’s first feature film. George Lucas directed the reshoots when Anthony Hemingway was unavailable.

Screen Gems

January 20 – Underworld: Awakening

• Cast: Kate Beckinsale, India Eisley, Theo James, Michael Ealy, Stephen Rea, Charles Dance, Kris Holden-Ried, Robert Lawrenson, Ron Wear, William Francis
• Director: Måns Mårlind, Björn Stein
• Production Company: Screen Gems, Lakeshore Entertainment, Sketch Films, distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing
• Trivia: The fourth installment in the ‘Underworld’ franchise. The film opened simultaneously in the US, Canada and UK on January 20, 2012. Wes Bentley appears uncredited as an Antigen Scientist. Scott Speedman did not return for the fourth film, but he was seen in archival footage from the first two. A stand-in was used when his character was seen unconscious.

January 20 – W.E.

• Cast: Abbie Cornish, Andrea Riseborough, James D’Arcy, Oscar Isaac, Richard Coyle, David Harbour, James Fox, Judy Parfitt, Haluk Bilginer, Geoffrey Palmer, Natalie Dormer, Laurence Fox, Douglas Reith, Katie McGrath
• Director: Madonna
• Production Company: Semtex Films, IM Global, distributed by StudioCanal
• Trivia: The film screened at the Venice Film Festival on September 1, 2011, at TIFF on September 12, and received a New York/Los Angeles release on December 9 for awards consideration. The films general UK release was January 20, 2012, with a limited US release on February 3. Academy Award nominee for Best Costume Design. Fashion house Christian Dior recreated three dresses for this film that it had previously made for the real Wallis Simpson. The jeweler Cartier made ten recreation of Wallis Simpson’s jewels for the film. Ewan McGregor was cast as King Edward VIII, but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. Vera Farmiga was cast to play Wallis Simpson, but dropped out. The song ‘Masterpiece’, which won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song, was deemed ineligible for the Academy Awards because it appeared only as the second piece of music during the credits.