Stand-In (1937)

A New York bank plans to sell a Hollywood studio at a big loss. But the head accountant is suspicious and goes to investigate. He finds chicanery, romance, and help to save the studio.

Director:

Tay Garnett

Writers:

Clarence Budington Kelland (based on the novel: "Stand-in" by), Gene Towne (screen play)

Stars:

Leslie Howard, Humphrey Bogart, Joan Blondell

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Leslie Howard	...	Atterbury Dodd
Joan Blondell	...	Lester Plum
Humphrey Bogart	...	Douglas Quintain
Alan Mowbray	...	Koslofski
Marla Shelton	...	Thelma Cheri
C. Henry Gordon	...	Ivor Nassau
Jack Carson	...	Tom Potts
Tully Marshall	...	Fowler Pettypacker
J.C. Nugent	...	Junior Pettypacker
William V. Mong	...	Cyrus Pettypacker

Storyline

Atterbury Dodd is an efficiency expert who believes everything can be reduced to mathematics. He is sent to Hollywood to see whether Colossal Pictures is a good investment. He soon learns that movie production doesn't fit his formulaic mindset.

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Plot Keywords:

screwball comedy | secretary | director | movie studio | camera shot of feet | 

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Taglines:

GRAND FUN AND ROMANCE Hilarity from behind the Hollywood scenes-by the author of "Mr.Deeds"! (Print Ad- Chehalis Bee-Nuggest, ((Chehalis, Wash.)) 12 April 1938)

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is one of two dozen Walter Wanger/Harry Sherman/Cinema Guild productions, originally released by United Artists, re-released theatrically in 1948 by Masterpiece Productions, and ultimately sold by them for television broadcast in 1950. It was first telecast in Chicago Monday 19 June 1950 on WENR (Channel 7), in Phoenix Sunday 30 July 1950 on KPHO (Channel 5), in Cincinnati Saturday 26 August 1950 on WKRC (Channel 11), in Los Angeles Sunday 3 September 1950 on KTLA (Channel 5), in Boston Sunday 17 September 1950 on WNAC (Channel 7), in Philadelphia Saturday 14 October 1950 on WFIL (Channel 6), in Detroit Sunday 22 October 1950 on WXYZ (Channel 7), in New York City Monday 18 December 1950 on WOR (Channel 9), in Pittsburgh Friday 26 January 1951 on WDTV (Channel 3), and in San Francisco Saturday 24 February 1951 on KGO (Channel 7).

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Goofs

As accountant Atterbury Dodd walks through the accounts department, a clerk gives him a slip containing a list of figures which total 1,296,221. Dodd says: "There's an error in the addition. The total should be 1,296,321. Have the machine fixed". The total however is correct. The figures - 63,155; 122,925; 57,005; 54,685; 404,200; 56,705; 122,925; 54,685; 305,250; 54,686 - add up to 1,296,221.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Atterbury Dodd: I'm sure we're going to be very happy, Miss Plum.

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Connections

Featured in Biography: Humphrey Bogart (2003)

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Soundtracks

That Old Feeling
(1937) (uncredited)
Music by Sammy Fain
Lyrics by Lew Brown
Played at the nightclub and sung by an unidentified chorus
Later sung a cappella by Leslie Howard while working

User Reviews

Fast and snappy spoof

Fast and snappy spoof of the studio system from the bottom looking up, as stand-in Joan Blondell guides a newcomer to "who's through in Hollywood". Bogart has a good supporting role as a boozing producer who has to salvage an unwatchable gorilla epic. Not a classic, but very enjoyable for its energy.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 October 1937 (USA)

Also Known As:

Stand-In

Company Credits

Production Co:

Walter Wanger Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1