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Vivacious Lady
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| Vivacious Lady | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster by William Rose | |
| Directed by | George Stevens |
| Screenplay by | P. J. Wolfson Ernest Pagano |
| Based on | "Vivacious Lady" 1936 story in Pictorial Review by I. A. R. Wylie |
| Produced by | George Stevens |
| Starring | Ginger Rogers James Stewart James Ellison Beulah Bondi Charles Coburn |
| Cinematography | Robert De Grasse |
| Edited by | Henry Berman |
| Music by | Roy Webb |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $703,000[2] |
| Box office | $1,206,000[2] |
Vivacious Lady is a 1938 American black-and-white romantic comedy film directed by George Stevens and starring Ginger Rogers and James Stewart. James Ellison, Frances Mercer, Beulah Bondi, and Charles Coburn appear in supporting roles.
It was released by RKO Radio Pictures. The screenplay was written by P.J. Wolfson and Ernest Pagano and adapted from a short story by I. A. R. Wylie. The music score was by Roy Webb and the cinematography by Robert De Grasse.
The story is of love at first sight between a conservative young botany professor and a nightclub singer. Its comedic elements include repeatedly frustrated attempts by the newlywed couple to find a moment alone with each other, and to consummate their marriage.
Plot
[edit]Botany professor Peter Morgan Jr. is sent to Manhattan to retrieve his playboy cousin Keith and immediately falls in love with nightclub singer Francey Brent, Keith’s current infatuation. After a whirlwind one-day courtship, Peter and Francey get married. The trio then returns to the Morgan family's home in the small town of Old Sharon, where Peter teaches at the university run by his father, Peter Morgan Sr. Mr. Morgan is known for being a proud, overbearing man, so Peter is afraid to tell him about the marriage. When they arrive, Mr. Morgan and Peter's blueblood fiancée, Helen, initially take Francey for another of Keith's racy girlfriends. While Peter decides how to approach his father with the news, Francey is introduced as a new botany student, and lodged at a women-only hotel in the college town.
Peter mentions Francey to his father twice, but on both occasions, Mr. Morgan interrupts and ignores his son, and when Peter becomes insistent, his apparently ailing mother has a flare-up of her heart condition, making any further conversation impossible. For his third attempt, Peter decides to announce the marriage to his parents at the university's student-faculty prom. Keith brings Francey as his guest, and Francey, still posing as a student, develops a friendly rapport with Mrs. Morgan, but gets into a nasty brawl with Helen in which Francey accidentally slugs Peter's father in the jaw.
Peter says nothing at the prom, but blurts the news to his father just as Mr. Morgan is about to give an important speech, resulting in another argument and another flare-up of Mrs. Morgan's heart condition. This prevents Mrs. Morgan from learning of the marriage, but she accidentally finds out from Francey herself during a conversation in Francey's apartment. Mrs. Morgan accepts the news happily, and admits to Francey that she pretends to have heart trouble any time her husband gets agitated.
Mr. Morgan arrives, and catches Francey, Keith, and his own wife doing a highly spirited version of the popular dance, the “Big Apple“. Unamused, Morgan demands that Francey leave Peter, threatening to fire him if she does not. Francey capitulates, but the incident releases thirty years of marital frustration in Mrs. Morgan, who also decides to leave her husband.
Francey tells Peter she is leaving him. He vows that he can change his father's mind before her train departs. His solution is to threaten the family with disgrace by getting drunk and otherwise misbehaving until his father relents, even if it costs him his job. Peter passes out before he can reach the train, which departs with both Francey and Mrs. Morgan aboard. Mr. Morgan finally yields to the combined pressure of his son and wife, and he and Peter stop the train by overhauling it and parking the family car on the track. Both marriages are saved, and Peter and Francey finally launch their long postponed honeymoon on the train.
Cast
[edit]- Ginger Rogers as Francey Morgan
- James Stewart as Prof. Peter Morgan Jr.
- James Ellison as Keith Morgan
- Beulah Bondi as Mrs. Martha Morgan
- Charles Coburn as Peter Morgan Sr.
- Frances Mercer as Helen
- Phyllis Kennedy as Jenny
- Franklin Pangborn as apartment manager
- Grady Sutton as Culpepper, teaching assistant
- Jack Carson as Charlie, waiter captain
- Alec Craig as Joseph, chauffeur
- Willie Best as train porter
- Hattie McDaniel as a maid (uncredited)
Production
[edit]Ginger Rogers and James Stewart were dating prior to the production of Vivacious Lady. Although neither actor had collaborated on any prior work, Rogers recommended Stewart as her leading man, becoming one of Stewart's earliest starring roles.[3]
After four days of shooting in April 1937, Stewart became ill, but then left to costar in Of Human Hearts (1938). RKO considered replacing Stewart, but shelved the production until December 1937. Actors Donald Crisp and Fay Bainter, who had been cast in the original production, were replaced respectively by Charles Coburn and Beulah Bondi.
Reception
[edit]The film made a profit of $75,000.[2]
In the early 1960s, Steve McQueen announced that he wanted to appear in a remake, but this did not happen.[4]
Awards and nominations
[edit]Vivacious Lady was nominated for two Oscars, for Best Cinematography and Best Sound, Recording (John O. Aalberg).[5] George Stevens won a Special Recommendation Award at the 1938 Venice Film Festival.
Adaptations to other media
[edit]Vivacious Lady was adapted as a radio play on the April 7, 1940 episode of The Screen Guild Theater with Ginger Rogers and Fred MacMurray, the January 6, 1941 episode of Lux Radio Theatre with Alice Faye and Don Ameche,[6] the October 2, 1945 episode of CBS's Theater of Romance with Robert Walker and Lurene Tuttle,[7] the December 3, 1945 Screen Guild Theater with James Stewart and Janet Blair and on the August 14, 1946 episode of Academy Award Theater with Lana Turner. It was also presented on the radio anthology series Philip Morris Playhouse February 13, 1942, with Madeleine Carroll starring.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Vivacious Lady: Detail View". American Film Institute. Retrieved December 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c Richard Jewel, 'RKO Film Grosses: 1931–1951', Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Vol 14 No 1, 1994 p56
- ^ Introduction to Vivacious Lady. Turner Classic Movies, New York, USA. August 13, 2011. Television.
- ^ Scott, John L. (July 17, 1962). "'Brothers Grimm' Has World Preview: First Dramatic Production Shown on Cinerama Screen". Los Angeles Times. p. C7.
- ^ "The 11th Academy Awards (1939) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
- ^ "Alice Faye, Don Ameche Co-Star in Radio Theater". Toledo Blade (Ohio). January 6, 1941. p. 4 (Peach Section). Retrieved November 22, 2020.
- ^ "Radio Credits". Robert Walker Tribute. Retrieved March 31, 2013.
- ^ "Madeleine Carroll Returns In Playhouse 'Vivacious Lady'". Harrisburg Telegraph. February 7, 1942. p. 26. Retrieved August 1, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
External links
[edit]- Vivacious Lady at IMDb
- Vivacious Lady at AllMovie
- Vivacious Lady at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- Vivacious Lady at the TCM Movie Database (archived version)
Vivacious Lady
View on GrokipediaBackground
Literary Source
The short story "Vivacious Lady" was written by I. A. R. Wylie, a prolific British-American author known for her serialized fiction in popular periodicals.[1] It first appeared in the October 1936 issue of Pictorial Review, a leading women's magazine that featured romance, drama, and lifestyle content tailored to female readers.[2] By the mid-1930s, Pictorial Review boasted a massive circulation, reaching over 2.5 million copies monthly in the early part of the decade, which helped stories like Wylie's gain widespread attention among American women navigating domestic and romantic themes during the Great Depression era.[7] At its core, the narrative follows Peter Morgan Jr., a timid botany professor from the small town of Old Sharon, New York, who travels to Manhattan and instead encounters Francey, a lively nightclub performer.[1] Struck by her energy, Peter impulsively marries her that night, but the couple's return home sparks immediate family tensions, including resistance from his domineering father—a university president—and complications arising from Peter's prior engagement to a local woman.[8] The story explores the clash between Peter's reserved academic world and Francey's bold, urban vitality, culminating in resolution aided by his sympathetic mother, who helps bridge the familial divide.[1] The tale's appeal in the 1930s women's magazine market, where serialized romances offered escapist entertainment amid economic hardship, quickly attracted Hollywood interest.[7] RKO Radio Pictures acquired the film rights in September 1936, just weeks before the story's publication, recognizing its potential for adaptation into a lighthearted romantic comedy.[8] While the 1938 film retained the story's central premise of an unlikely marriage and ensuing conflicts, it amplified the comedic aspects through expanded subplots and character interactions not present in Wylie's original.[1] Screenwriters P. J. Wolfson and Ernest Pagano introduced heightened physical humor, such as a chaotic college prom brawl and domestic mishaps in a shared apartment, alongside deeper development of supporting roles like the jealous fiancée and cousin, transforming the narrative into a more screwball-style romp.[1]Pre-Production Development
RKO Pictures acquired the film rights to I. A. R. Wylie's short story "Vivacious Lady" in September 1936, shortly after its publication in Pictorial Review.[8] Initial screenplay development followed, with P. J. Wolfson and Ernest Pagano tasked with adapting the story, though additional contributions from Anne Morrison Chapin and Kay Van Riper were noted in production records.[2][1] Development encountered delays when production, originally slated to begin in April 1937, was postponed due to scheduling conflicts involving lead actor James Stewart, who fell ill and was loaned to MGM for another project.[1] The project was shelved mid-1937, allowing time for script revisions to better incorporate elements of the emerging screwball comedy genre, which emphasized rapid-fire dialogue and comedic misunderstandings amid romantic entanglements.[9] These changes aimed to heighten the story's farcical potential while preserving its core premise of a mismatched marriage.[1] George Stevens became attached as director in mid-1937, bringing his established style to the project and focusing on a balance of romantic tenderness and physical comedy to suit the screwball trends.[2] Under his guidance, pre-production planning advanced, including set designs for urban New York nightclub scenes and a rural college town.[1] Budget planning estimated a production cost of $703,000, a figure influenced by high salaries for the stars and elaborate location recreations, reflecting RKO's investment in an A-picture comedy.[10] This allocation underscored the studio's commitment to quality amid the competitive landscape of 1930s romantic comedies.[11]Production
Casting
Ginger Rogers was cast in the lead role of Francey Brent, a spirited nightclub singer, while James Stewart was selected to portray Peter Morgan Jr., a shy botany professor, marking one of his earliest starring roles after being loaned from MGM to RKO. Rogers personally recommended Stewart for the part, leveraging their off-screen romantic relationship to highlight his innate ability to convey awkward shyness and budding romanticism, which director George Stevens believed would infuse the film with authentic screwball energy. This choice emphasized a dynamic contrast between Rogers' vivacious energy and Stewart's understated charm, shaping the film's lighthearted tone without relying on prior on-screen collaborations.[2] For the supporting cast, Charles Coburn was brought in as the authoritative Professor Peter Morgan Sr., replacing Donald Crisp who had been originally cast, and Beulah Bondi assumed the role of the nurturing Mrs. Martha Morgan, succeeding Fay Bainter in what became a recurring mother-son pairing for her and Stewart. James Ellison rounded out the principal ensemble as Keith Morgan, Peter's cousin, adding youthful rivalry to the family dynamics. These selections contributed to the film's blend of generational humor and domestic tension, with Coburn's gravitas and Bondi's warmth providing sturdy comedic foils.[1][2] Casting faced significant challenges when Stewart fell ill just four days into principal photography in April 1937, prompting a production shutdown and RKO to consider alternatives such as Douglas Fairbanks Jr. or even Ellison for the lead; filming only resumed in December 1937 after Stewart recovered and returned from his MGM commitment to Of Human Hearts. Rogers' portrayal of Francey, notably free of dance sequences, underscored her versatility in dramatic and comedic timing beyond her musical persona. In minor roles, Frances Mercer was cast as Helen, Peter's jilted fiancée, and Grady Sutton as Culpepper, the bumbling teaching assistant, both chosen to enhance the ensemble's comic relief through their established talents in eccentric supporting parts.[1][2]Filming and Post-Production
Principal photography for Vivacious Lady began in mid-April 1937 at RKO Studios in Hollywood, California, but was halted after only four days when leading actor James Stewart fell ill and subsequently departed for another project, Of Human Hearts (1938).[2] Production resumed in mid-December 1937 and wrapped on March 5, 1938, allowing the film to meet its release schedule later that month.[1] The delays necessitated careful rescheduling, but director George Stevens maintained the screwball comedy's fast-paced rhythm throughout the extended shoot. Filming took place entirely on RKO's studio lot at 780 N. Gower Street in Hollywood, utilizing constructed sets and backlots to depict the New York nightclub sequences and the fictional college town of Old Sharon.[12] No major on-location shooting occurred, enabling efficient control over the interior-heavy scenes that emphasized character interactions in confined spaces like apartments, lecture halls, and social venues, which contributed to the film's intimate, dialogue-driven energy. Cinematographer Robert de Grasse captured the action on black-and-white 35mm film, employing standard RKO techniques to highlight the comedic timing and expressive performances in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio.[1] Sound recording was handled using the RCA Victor System, with Hugh McDowell, Jr. as the primary recorder; the production earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Sound Recording (RKO Radio Studio Sound Department, John Aalberg, Sound Director), reflecting the challenges of capturing rapid, overlapping dialogue typical of the screwball genre without compromising clarity.[1][13] In post-production, editor Henry Berman assembled the footage into a tight 90-minute runtime, focusing on preserving the film's brisk pacing and humorous set pieces while trimming any excess from the interrupted schedule.[2] The musical score was composed and directed by Roy Webb, providing underscoring that enhanced the romantic and comedic tones; it incorporated the original song "You'll Be Reminded of Me," with lyrics and music by George Jessel, Jack Meskill, and Ted Shapiro, and vocal arrangement by Roger Edens, performed by Ginger Rogers during the nightclub opening.[1]Narrative and Characters
Plot Summary
In the opening act, Peter Morgan Jr., a mild-mannered botany professor from the small college town of Old Sharon, New York, travels to Manhattan to retrieve his wayward brother Keith from a night of revelry.[1] There, at a lively nightclub, he encounters the spirited singer Francey Brent, and after an evening of dancing and instant attraction, they impulsively marry the following day in a spontaneous ceremony.[4] Their honeymoon is thwarted when they board the train back to Old Sharon, only to be repeatedly interrupted by Keith, preventing them from consummating the union amid the cramped quarters and comedic mishaps.[1] Upon arriving in Old Sharon, the middle act unfolds with escalating conflicts as Peter, intimidated by his domineering father—Professor Peter Morgan Sr., the authoritarian president of the local college—decides to conceal the marriage.[4] His father has long expected Peter to wed the refined Helen, daughter of the town mayor, and views Francey with immediate suspicion, mistaking her for Keith's unsuitable paramour upon spotting them at the train station.[1] To maintain the ruse, Francey poses as Keith's girlfriend and enrolls as a student in Peter's botany class, leading to a series of screwball misunderstandings and physical comedy: she accidentally slaps her new husband during a classroom demonstration, clashes with the snobbish Helen in a jealous brawl at a college dance involving torn dresses and thrown punches, and disrupts the conservative town's decorum with her bold, modern demeanor.[4] Peter's mother, secretly aware of the truth, feigns a heart condition to manipulate family dynamics, while Keith's flirtations add to the tangled web of mistaken identities.[14] The climax erupts during a major college event, where the hidden marriage is dramatically revealed to the public, forcing confrontations that expose the Morgan family's hypocrisies.[1] In the resolution, Peter's mother allies with Francey, confessing her own long-suppressed vitality and abandoning her pretense of frailty, which prompts Professor Morgan Sr. to reflect on his rigid control.[4] The family reconciles on a train journey, with the elder Morgan begrudgingly accepting the union, allowing Peter and Francey to finally embrace their marriage in privacy, capping the screwball comedy with harmony and a touch of romantic fulfillment.[14]Principal Cast
- Ginger Rogers as Francey Brent: The vivacious nightclub singer who impulsively marries Peter Morgan Jr. during a trip to New York.[1]
- James Stewart as Peter Morgan Jr.: A mild-mannered botany professor at a small college who falls in love with and weds Francey.[1]
- Charles Coburn as Professor Peter Morgan Sr.: Peter's authoritative father and a prominent figure at the college.[15]
- Beulah Bondi as Mrs. Martha Morgan: Peter's gentle and supportive mother who navigates family tensions.[15]
Supporting Cast
- James Ellison as Keith Morgan: Peter's adventurous brother who introduces him to the nightlife in New York.[16]
- Frances Mercer as Helen: Peter's sophisticated fiancée whose engagement is disrupted by his sudden marriage.[17]
- Grady Sutton as Charlie: A bumbling teaching assistant at the college who aids in comedic classroom scenes.[15]
- Frank Coghlan Jr. as Willy: A young student contributing to the ensemble of college life depictions.[1]
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