Cain and Mabel (1936)

A talented boxer and a gifted dancer hope to increase their waning popularity by inventing a fictitious love affair for the benefit of the tabloids.

Director:

Lloyd Bacon

Writers:

Laird Doyle (screen play), H.C. Witwer (story)

Stars:

Marion Davies, Clark Gable, Allen Jenkins

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marion Davies	...	Mabel O'Dare
Clark Gable	...	Larry Cain
Allen Jenkins	...	Dodo
Roscoe Karns	...	Reilly
Walter Catlett	...	Jake Sherman
Robert Paige	...	Ronny Cauldwell (as David Carlyle)
Hobart Cavanaugh	...	Milo
Ruth Donnelly	...	Aunt Mimi
Pert Kelton	...	Toddy
William Collier Sr.	...	Pop Walters
Sammy White	...	Specialty - Coney Island Number
E.E. Clive	...	Charles Fendwick
Allen Pomeroy	...	Tom Reed
Robert Middlemass	...	Cafe Proprietor
Joseph Crehan	...	Reed's Manager

Storyline

The managers of heavyweight champion Larry Cain and Broadway musical star Mabel O'Dare scheme up a romance to give the celebrities more glamour. But the two don't hit it off, having started on the wrong foot.

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Plot Keywords:

popularity | tabloid | glamour | reporter | boxing | 

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Taglines:

It's the Romantic Battle of the Century with a World championship Cast!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 September 1936 (USA)

Also Known As:

Caim e Mabel

Filming Locations:

Stage 7, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

According to an article from the Rochester Evening Journal by Carol Fitzhugh (June 29, 1936, page 8), all of the clothes that Marion Davies wears in the film are in "ink blue".

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Goofs

During the bout where Gable is knocked out, the camera shows the lighted round indicator. Indicating round 2, the counter changes to 8, denoting progression of time. Back on the fight, the film shows the indicator at round 7 when he is KO'ed. Never got to round 8.

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Quotes

Pat 'Pop' Walters: Cut it out, Larry. Hitting a lady ain't cricket. It ain't even pinochle.

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Connections

Referenced in Tales from the Warner Bros. Lot (2013)

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Soundtracks

"Here Comes Chiquita"
(1936) (uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Performed by the male chorus

User Reviews

Just doesn't make good any which way

The picture seems to be put together from a lot of other pictures (musicals, boxing, backstage on Broadway, romance), but the pieces are of little interest in themselves and don't fit well together.

To me, the many quick jokes are the best part of the picture. Also good are a dance number (in which Marion Davies is clearly outmatched), Roscoe Karns as a PR man, and Allen Jenkins as Clark Gable's boxing trainer.