Mandalay (film)
| Mandalay | |
|---|---|
 theatrical movie poster |
|
| Directed by | Michael Curtiz |
| Produced by | Robert Presnell Sr. |
| Screenplay by | Austin Parker Charles Kenyon |
| Story by | Paul Hervey Fox |
| Starring | Kay Francis Ricardo Cortez Warner Oland Lyle Talbot |
| Music by | "When Tomorrow Comes" Sammy Fain (music) Irving Kahal {lyrics) |
| Cinematography | Tony Gaudio |
| Editing by | Thomas Pratt |
| Studio | First National Pictures |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date(s) | February 10, 1934 |
| Running time | 65 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Mandalay is a 1934 American drama film directed by Michael Curtiz and written by Austin Parker and Charles Kenyon based on a story by Paul Hervey Fox. The film stars Kay Francis, Ricardo Cortez, Warner Oland and Lyle Talbot, and features Ruth Donnelly. The film is about a world-weary woman (Francis) nicknamed 'Spot White' at the local brothel and bar who does what she can to survive.
Director Curtiz used cutting edge wipes and opticals in the film.[1] Future child star Shirley Temple won a small role in the film as the daughter of the Donnelly and Littlefield characters but the role was little more than a walk-on. Originally, her name was not listed in the credits but only included years later[2]
Cast
- Kay Francis as Tanya Borodoff
- Ricardo Cortez as Tony Evans
- Warner Oland as Nick
- Lyle Talbot as Dr. Gregory Burton
- Lucien Littlefield as George Peters
- Ruth Donnelly as Mrs. George Peters
- Reginald Owen as Police Commissioner
- Shirley Temple as Betty Shaw (most scenes deleted)[3][4]
Production
The lead roles were initially offered to George Brent and his wife Ruth Chatterton. Chatterton turned down the role because she did not want to play a prostitute again, and Brent because he did not want to make the trip to the Stockton, California location on San Joaquin River, where the film shot for 10 days. Afterwards, Donald Woods was assigned by the studio to play "Tony Evans", and Katya Sergova was considered to play "Tanya Borodoff".[5]
Reception
Although the critics did not see the film as anything better than a good "B-movie", it was well-received nonetheless, and was a moneymaker for the studio.[3]
References
Notes
Bibliography
- Baxter, John (1968), Hollywood in the Thirties, A. Zwemmer Limited, London, ISBN 0-498-06927-3
- Edwards, Anne (1988), Shirley Temple: American Princess, New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc.
External links
- Mandalay at the Internet Movie Database
- Mandalay at the TCM Movie Database
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