The Perfect Specimen is a 1937 American romantic comedy film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Errol Flynn and Joan Blondell. The picture is based on a novel by Samuel Hopkins Adams.
| The Perfect Specimen | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Michael Curtiz |
| Written by | Norman Reilly Raine Lawrence Riley Brewster Morse Fritz Falkenstein Story: Samuel Hopkins Adams |
| Starring | Errol Flynn Joan Blondell |
| Cinematography | Charles Rosher |
| Edited by | Terry O. Morse |
| Music by | Heinz Roemheld |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 97 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $505,000[1] |
| Box office | $1,281,000[1] |
It was Flynn's first comedy.[2]
Plot edit
Gerald Wicks, the heir to a large fortune, has never been outside the gates of his childhood estate. He goes on an adventure with newspaper reporter Mona Carter and they fall in love.
Cast edit
- Errol Flynn as Gerald Beresford Wicks
- Joan Blondell as Mona Carter
- Hugh Herbert as Killigrew Shaw
- Edward Everett Horton as Mr. Gratten
- Dick Foran as Jink Carter
- Beverly Roberts as Alicia
- May Robson as Mrs. Leona Wicks
- Allen Jenkins as Pinky
- Dennie Moore as Clarabelle
- Hugh O'Connell as Hotel clerk
- James Burke as Snodgrass
- Granville Bates as Hooker
Original novel edit
| Author | Samuel Hopkins |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Publisher | New York Liveright Publishing Corporation |
Publication date | 1936 |
| Pages | 224 |
The book was based on a novel. The New York Times called it "a trifling little number. It reads like one of those old fashioned farce comedies... hammock reading for a hot afternoon."[3]
Production edit
The film was Flynn's first comedy starring role and the movie always seems to have been considered a vehicle for him.[4] He made it after holidaying in Europe.[5]
Warners originally sought Carole Lombard or Miriam Hopkins to play against Errol Flynn[6] and for a while it seemed Hopkins was set to co-star. However she turned down the role and Warners decided to look at players assigned to their contract roster. The two leading contenders were Olivia de Havilland and Joan Blondell;[7] it was thought the former was ideal if the role was played in a "romantic" way but the latter should be preferred it they wanted someone "pepful and sparkling".[8] Blondell was cast and filming started in May 1937.
Marie Wilson was meant to play a small role but was assigned to The Great Garrick instead.[9] Dennie Moore replaced Jane Wyman.[10]
Joan Blondell fell ill during filming but recovered.[11]
Reception edit
The New York Times called the film a "light and unaffecting romantic comedy."[12]
May Robson's performance was highly praised in particular.[13]
Box Office edit
According to Warner Bros records the film earned $786,000 domestically and $495,000 foreign.[1]
References edit
- ^ a b c Warner Bros financial information in The William Shaefer Ledger. See Appendix 1, Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, (1995) 15:sup1, 1-31 p 18 DOI: 10.1080/01439689508604551
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (November 10, 2019). "The Films of Errol Flynn: Part 2 The Golden Years". Filmink.
- ^ PERFECT SPECIMEN By Samuel Hopkins 224 pp. New York Liveright Publishing Corporation. $2.
- ^ Tony Thomas, Rudy Behlmer * Clifford McCarty, The Films of Errol Flynn, Citadel Press, 1969 p 58-59
- ^ "NEWS OF THE SCREEN: ' Seventh Heaven' and 'Silent Barriers' Open Today-Dolly Haas to Bow in 'Absent Without Leave' News from Hollywood". New York Times. Mar 25, 1937. p. 29.
- ^ "HUSTQN IS SLATED FOR NEW FILM ROLE: May Appear With Miss Rogers for R.-K.-O.--FirstScreenTest Passed by Mrs. Moody ZUKOR DINNER TONIGHT 1,000 to Help Mark Producer's 25th Year in PicturesFrohman to Attend". New York Times. Mar 29, 1937. p. 14.
- ^ Schallert, Edwin (May 12, 1937). "NEW "TORCHY BLANE" AWAITING GLENDA FARRELL UPON RETURN: Gene Raymond to Act Again With Ann Sothern". Los Angeles Times. p. A10.
- ^ Schallert, Edwin (May 7, 1937). "WILD TRIO JOIN "MAKE A WISH" AS BOBBY BREEN OPUS POSTPONED: Girls Debated for "Perfect Specimen" Role". Los Angeles Times. p. 19.
- ^ "WARNERS TO STAGE PLAYS IN LONDON: Complete Plans to Produce in the Fall--Shows Later to Be Converted Into Films A PURCHASE BY GOLDWYN He Gets Screen Rights to 'The Duchess of Broadway'--Other Picture News News From Hollywood". New York Times. June 12, 1937. p. 8.
- ^ "NEWS OF THE SCREEN: ' Slave Ship' Tonight at the Rivoli--Warner Standard May Fly Over Broadway in Autumn News From Hollywood". New York Times. June 16, 1937. p. 27.
- ^ Schallert, Edwin (June 29, 1937). "DOUG FAIRBANKS, JR., WILL STAY IN HOLLYWOOD FOR HEPBURN COMEDY: Marla Shelton to Play "Star" in "Stand-In"". Los Angeles Times. p. 13.
- ^ FRANK S. NUGENT (Oct 28, 1937). "THE SCREEN: With Errol Flynn as Exhibit A, the Warners Present 'The Perfect Specimen' at the Strand Theatre". New York Times. p. 29.
- ^ "BEST PERFORMANCES IN CURRENT PICTURES". Los Angeles Times. Nov 7, 1937. p. C1.
External links edit
- The Perfect Specimen at the TCM Movie Database
- The Perfect Specimen at IMDb
- The Perfect Specimen on Lux Radio Theater: January 2, 1939.
