This Could Be the Night (film)
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| This Could Be the Night | |
|---|---|
 VHS Cover | |
| Directed by | Robert Wise |
| Written by | Short Story: Cornelia Baird Gross Screenplay: Isobel Lennart |
| Produced by | Joe Pasternak |
| Starring | Jean Simmons Paul Douglas |
| Cinematography | Russell Harlan |
| Edited by | George Boemler |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 104 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,560,000[1] |
| Box office | $1,520,000[1] |
This Could Be the Night is a 1957 MGM comedy-drama film directed by Robert Wise. The movie is based on the short stories by Cornelia Baird Gross and stars Jean Simmons and Paul Douglas. Anthony Franciosa made his debut in this film.
Plot
Anne Leeds is a school teacher with only four weeks of experience. She takes a part-time job as a secretary to an ex-bootlegger and horse-playing gambler by the name of Rocco. He's a Broadway nightclub owner with a heart of gold who falls in love with Anne. However, he knows he's too old for her, so keeps his feelings to himself.
Anne "thinks" she's in love with his younger partner Tony Armotti, a typical playboy type who is afraid to fall in love because it might mean marriage. Tony lives in a walkup apartment above the nightclub, where he often entertains beautiful women. The stairs to the apartment are on the alley behind the club.
The entire nightclub loves Anne but Tony resents her because he wants to take care of her and protect her. Eventually after confronting Tony, Anne quits because Tony tells her he does not love her and never will. After she quits the entire nightclub patronizes Tony over whether Anne quit or was fired. He goes to where she is currently working and, after helping her escape when police raid the gambling den, convinces her to take back the job she quit.
Cast
- Jean Simmons – Anne Leeds
- Paul Douglas – Rocco
- Anthony Franciosa – Tony Armotti
- Julie Wilson – Ivy Corlane
- Neile Adams – Patsy St. Clair
- Joan Blondell – Crystal St. Clair
- J. Carrol Naish – Leon
- Rafael Campos – Hussein Mohammed
- ZaSu Pitts – Mrs. Katie Shea
- Tom Helmore – Stowe Devlin
- Murvyn Vye – Waxie London
- Vaughn Taylor – Ziggy Dawit
- Frank Ferguson – Mr. Shea
- Chuck Berry – Cameo appearance
- June Blair – Chorus Girl
- Bess Flowers – Nightclub Extra
Soundtrack
The soundtrack to the film was jazz-based, featuring performances by Ray Anthony and his Orchestra, with vocals throughout, including the film's title song, sung by Julie Wilson.[2] Both Wilson and Anthony had roles in the film. Wilson played singer Ivy Corlane, while Anthony, with his Orchestra, played himself.[3]
Reception
According to MGM records the film earned $870,000 in the US and Canada and $650,000 elsewhere, resulting in a loss of $804,000.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles, California: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study
- ^ Internet Movie Database, Particulars of soundtrack to This Could Be The Night. Retrieved 2013-02-28.
- ^ Internet Movie Database, Cast credits for This Could Be The Night. Retrieved 2013-03-01.
