Susan Slept Here (1954)

Director:

Frank Tashlin

Writers:

Steve Fisher (play)
Alex Gottlieb (play)

Release Date:

26 November 1954 (Belgium)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Music

Tagline:

She slept in his bed...wore his pajamas - THEN SHE REALLY TOOK OVER!

Plot:

Comedy about a struggling Hollywood scriptwriter who, one Christmas Eve, receives a very unexpected present - juvenile delinquent Debbie Reynolds.

Plot Keywords:

Oscar Statuette | Beautiful Woman | Based On Play | Title Spoken By Character | Character Name In Title

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Dick Powell	...	Mark Christopher
Debbie Reynolds	...	Susan Beaurgard Landis
Anne Francis	...	Isabella Alexander
Alvy Moore	...	Virgil, Mark's Gofer
Glenda Farrell	...	Maude Snodgrass
Horace McMahon	...	Sergeant Monty Maizel
Herb Vigran	...	Sergeant Sam Hanlon
Les Tremayne	...	Harvey Butterworth, Mark's Lawyer
Mara Lane	...	Marilyn, Mark's Neighbor
Maidie Norman	...	Georgette, Mark's Maid
Rita Johnson	...	Dr. Rawley, Harvey's Shrink
Ellen Corby	...	Coffee Shop Waitress
Benny Rubin	...	Sylvester the Janitor
Barbara Darrow	...	Miss Jennings, Dr. Raleigh's Secretary
Sue Carlton	...	Coffee Shop Cashier

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Certification:

Australia:G | Finland:S | USA:Approved (PCA #16848) | Sweden:Btl

Company:

RKO Radio Pictures

Trivia:

In joke: During opening narration, an Oscar statuette makes reference to "Louella" - gossip columnist Louella Parsons, mother of film's producer Harriet Parsons.

Quotes:

Susan Beaurgard Landis: Now Mark, what more do you want in a wife, I'm a doll and you know it.
Mark Christopher: I'm too big do play with dolls. I'm ready for the armchair, television, a small dog to bring my slippers.
Susan Beaurgard Landis: Arf! Arf!

Movie Connections:

References Peter Pan (1953)

Soundtrack:

Susan Slept Here

Washington Slept Here, too.

Well, not really. But, nevertheless, there seems to be quite a traffic jam snaking its way through Dick Powell's life and apartment. Does anyone knock? Or call ahead? In Mr. Powell's last appearance on the silver screen (he would soon slide over to the small screen), the former juvenile crooner turned hard-edged gumshoe actor, finds himself entangled in one of the most bizarre babysitting assignments ever. Debbie Reynolds plays the swooning teenager placed in the charge of bachelor Powell. He's a screenwriter and she's a piece of work. Incorrigible, really. Also on hand is the Amazon-like, Anne Francis--all 5'8" of her. She's his fiancé and is striking to look at: her famous facial mole comfortably in place, face impeccably made up and her blue eyes popping like fireflies kissing an electric bug zapper. She's definitely a sight for sore eyes. The plot, as it is, revolves around Debbie trying her best to break up the upcoming marriage between Dick and Miss Francis, and steal Powell for herself. Nothing new. But expertly rendered off. Oh, did I mention that the proceedings occur between Christmas and New Year's Eve, the twelve days of Cristmas falling firmly into play. Director Frank Tashlin has the seasonal colors lords-a-leaping off the screen. I love the fake white Christmas tree adorned with blood red balls. All of the apartment's holiday decorations signal a sobering degree of suburban chic. There's a wild dream sequence involving Debbie trapped in a bird cage and Anne spinning a spider's web. Have I mentioned how lovely Anne Francis was? She's a knockout. In the end, the movie is pure farce and slightly perverted. Otherwise, this film might be the perfect package to open up on a Christmas morning. The RKO logo is in color and the film is narrated, strangely, by an Oscar statuette. So enjoy. Pass the eggnog and light the yule log, please.