Practically Yours is a 1944 American romantic comedy film directed by Mitchell Leisen and starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray and Cecil Kellaway. Written by Norman Krasna, it was produced and distributed by Paramount Pictures.[2]
| Practically Yours | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Mitchell Leisen |
| Written by | Norman Krasna |
| Produced by | Mitchell Leisen Harry Tugend |
| Starring | Claudette Colbert Fred MacMurray Cecil Kellaway |
| Cinematography | Charles Lang |
| Edited by | Doane Harrison |
| Music by | Sam Coslow Victor Young |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1.2 million[1] |
Plot
editWhen a young pilot, Daniel Bellamy, is presumed dead after crash-bombing an enemy aircraft carrier, the footage of the crash and his presumably final reminiscence of walking in the park with 'Piggy' and kissing her on the nose is sent back home. A typographical error in transcribing his words becomes a tribute to heroism, while a girl who worked in his office, Peggy, is thought to be the object of his secret love. However, Dan returns home and in order to save embarrassment for both the girl and himself, he tries to maintain the pretense. Dan reveals that he was not speaking of a girl but of his dog. A series of comical mishaps ensue, leading to a resolution of the misunderstanding.
Cast
edit- Claudette Colbert as Peggy Martin
- Fred MacMurray as Daniel Bellamy
- Gil Lamb as Albert W. Beagell
- Cecil Kellaway as Marvin P. Meglin
- Robert Benchley as Judge Robert Simpson
- Tom Powers as Commander Harry Harpe
- Jane Frazee as Musical comedy star
- Rosemary DeCamp as Ellen Macy
- Isabel Randolph as Mrs. Meglin
- Mikhail Rasumny as LaCrosse
- Isabel Withers as Grace Mahoney
- George Carleton as Hardy
- Arthur Loft as Uncle Ben Bellamy
- Will Wright as Senator Cowling
- Donald MacBride as Sam
- Charles Quigley as George Macy
- Stanley Andrews as Shipyard Official
- Hugh Beaumont as Film-Cutter
- Hillary Brooke as Stenographer
- Kitty Kelly as Wife
- Louise LaPlanche as Attractive Girl
- Yvonne De Carlo as Office Clerk
Production
editThe film was based on an original story by Norman Krasna. He had written a film called Bachelor Party that was produced by Buddy DeSylva, who had since become head of production at Paramount. In September 1943, Paramount bought Practically Yours from Krasna.[3] He had written the story in his spare time while on duty for the armed services in Los Angeles.[4]
In December 1943, Paramount announced the stars as Fred MacMurray and Paulette Goddard with George Marshall as director and Harry Tugend as producer.[5] In January 1944, Goddard left for an army camp tour and her role was taken by Claudette Colbert.[6] Mitchell Leisen replaced Marshall as director. Filming started in January 1944.
Reception
editThe Los Angeles Times said the film "maybe ... isn't quite big time, but it has the look."[7]
In a contemporary review for The New York Times, critic Bosley Crowther called the film "a curiously thick-skinned little comedy" but with "the ugly contours of a most callous and inhuman jest." Crowther was uneasy with the film's premise given the state of the warring world at the time, writing: "[T]he crocodile-tearful provocation which Norman Krasna used for the yarn is decidedly tasteless and unworthy. This is no time to joke about grief."[8]
Radio adaptation
editPractically Yours was presented on Broadway Playhouse December 3, 1952. The 30-minute adaptation starred Gloria DeHaven.[9]
References
edit- ^ BLITHE SPENDTHRIFT: Parisian Lady By THOMAS M. PRYOR. New York Times 8 Apr 1945: 41.
- ^ Milberg p.23
- ^ DRAMA AND FILM Los Angeles Times 7 Sep 1943: 14.
- ^ Davis, George Kidder. "Columbia vs Krasna". Supreme Court Appellate Division-First Department. pp. 72–73.
- ^ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD: New York Times 22 Dec 1943: 26.
- ^ SCREEN NEWS HERE AND IN HOLLYWOOD New York Times 22 Jan 1944: 9.
- ^ 'Practically Yours' Diverting Comedy Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times (30 Mar 1945: 8.
- ^ Crowther, Bosley (1945-03-29). "'Practically Yours' Opens at the Paramount; 'The Affairs of Susan' and 'Between Two Women' Are Other Arrivals". The New York Times. p. 18.
- ^ Kirby, Walter (November 30, 1952). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. p. 48. Retrieved June 14, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
Bibliography
edit- Dick, Bernard F. Claudette Colbert: She Walked in Beauty. University Press of Mississippi, 2008.
- Milberg, Doris. The Art of the Screwball Comedy: Madcap Entertainment from the 1930s to Today. McFarland, 2013.