Mandalay (film)
| Mandalay | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical film poster | |
| Directed by | Michael Curtiz |
| Screenplay by | Austin Parker Charles Kenyon |
| Story by | Paul Hervey Fox |
| Produced by | Robert Presnell Sr. |
| Starring | Kay Francis Ricardo Cortez Warner Oland Lyle Talbot |
| Cinematography | Tony Gaudio |
| Edited by | Thomas Pratt |
| Music by | "When Tomorrow Comes" Sammy Fain (music) Irving Kahal (lyrics) |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 65 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $294,000[1] |
| Box office | $629,000[1] |
Mandalay is a 1934 American Pre-Code 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 and Reginald Owen.
The film is about a world-weary woman (Francis) nicknamed "Spot White" at the local brothel-bar who does what she can to survive. Curtiz used cutting edge wipes and opticals in the film.[2] 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.[3]
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)[4][5]
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".[6]
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.[4]
Box office
According to Warner Bros records the film made a profit of $83,462.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Mandalay at Kay Francis Films accessed 16 March 2014
- ^ Baxter 54
- ^ Edwards, p. 49
- ^ a b Stafford, Jeff. "Mandalay" on TCM.com
- ^ Mandalay (1934) details, allrovi.com; accessed August 30, 2015.
- ^ Mandalay (1934) - film notes, tcm.com; accessed July 22, 2015.
Bibliography
- Baxter, John (1968), Hollywood in the Thirties, A. Zwemmer Ltd, London, UK, ISBN 0-498-06927-3
- Edwards, Anne (1988), Shirley Temple: American Princess, New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc.
External links
- Mandalay at IMDb
- Mandalay at the TCM Movie Database
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- 1934 films
- 1930s drama films
- American drama films
- American black-and-white films
- English-language films
- Films about prostitution
- Films directed by Michael Curtiz
- Films set in Myanmar
- Warner Bros. films
- Films made before the MPAA Production Code
- American films
- First National Pictures films
- 1930s drama film stubs