The Big Street (1942)

A busboy in requited love with a nightclub performer grows closer to her after she is paralyzed in an attack by her gangster boyfriend.

Director:

Irving Reis

Writers:

Leonard Spigelgass (screenplay), Damon Runyon (from the Collier's Magazine story "Little Pinks")

Stars:

Henry Fonda, Lucille Ball, Barton MacLane

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Henry Fonda	...	Little Pinks
Lucille Ball	...	Gloria Lyons
Barton MacLane	...	Case Ables
Eugene Pallette	...	Nicely Nicely Johnson
Agnes Moorehead	...	Violette Shumberg
Sam Levene	...	Horsethief
Ray Collins	...	Professor B
Marion Martin	...	Mimi Venus
William T. Orr	...	Decatur Reed (as William Orr)
George Cleveland	...	Colonel Samuel Venus
Vera Gordon	...	Mrs. Lefkowitz
Ozzie Nelson and Orchestra	...	Night Club Orchestra
Ozzie Nelson	...	Orchestra Leader

Storyline

Little Pinks is in love with a nightclub singer named Gloria. But it is a unrequited love as she does not know that he exists. Pinks is a shy busboy and Gloria only goes out with men who are loaded. When she tries to dump Case for richer Reed, Case dumps her down the stairs. After months of treatment, she will never walk, but Pinks is the only one who takes care of her. He pays all her bills and sends her flowers with unsigned cards. But to Gloria, he is nothing in her eyes. When she wants to leave New York for Florida, to be with the money set, he takes her.

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Plot Keywords:

eating contest | busboy | nightclub performer | new york to florida trip | fortune hunter | 

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Taglines:

"I LOVE LUCILLE"...That's what everybody says! (re-release print ad)

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Genres:

Drama | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Did You Know?

Trivia

Some cast members in studio records/casting call lists did not appear or were not identifiable in the movie. These were (with their character names): Elliott Sullivan (Tramp), Al Hill (Tramp) and Donald Kirke (Surgeon).

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Quotes

Gloria Lyons: You know something, Pinks?
Agustus 'Little Pinks' Pinkerton, II: What?
Gloria Lyons: A lot of people can't walk... they knit something. I'd be a lousy knitter, but I could sure try.

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits: "Loser's Lane --- the sidewalk in front of Mindy's Restaurant on Broadway-- is not as high-toned a trading center as Wall Street, but the brokers are a lot more colorful. Generally they prefer to put their money on a prizefight or horserace, but when the action slows, anything can happen and it usually does. Tonight, for example, the citizens of the Lane are discussing the latest contest in their usual quiet way --"

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Connections

References Joan of Paris (1942)

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Soundtracks

Who Knows?
(1942)
Lyrics by Mort Greene
Music by Harry Revel
Performed by Lucille Ball at the New York nightclub (uncredited)
Reprised by her with Ozzie Nelson and Orchestra at the Florida nightclub (Vocals for Miss Ball by Martha Mears) (uncredited)
Played often in the score

User Reviews

Lucy Has a Ball with Henry Fonda

Broadway busboy Henry Fonda (as Agustus "Little Pinks" Pinkerton) idolizes self-centered lounge singer Lucille Ball (as Gloria "Your Highness" Lyons). When Ms. Ball falls on hard times, Mr. Fonda gets to lend a helping hand. The pair move to Florida, but tragedy follows… Although "Guys and Dolls" (1955) remains most representative, "The Big Street" captures the spirit of writer Damon Runyon's characters better than most Hollywood efforts, probably because Mr. Runyon produced.

They weren't the author's first choice for the leads, but Fonda's innocent charmer and Ball's selfish tragedienne are exemplary characterizations. Ball is especially noteworthy, as she did not receive many opportunities to play against type, and places herself squarely on par with the more successful "Golden Age:" actresses of the 1930s and 1940s; she is startling. Director Irving Reis coordinates his fine cast and crew very well, making camera angles and movement seem uncommonly fresh.

******** The Big Street (8/13/42) Damon Runyon : Irving Reis ~ Lucille Ball, Henry Fonda, Agnes Moorehead, Eugene Palette

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 September 1942 (USA)

Also Known As:

Damon Runyon's The Big Street

Filming Locations:

RKO Studios - 780 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Radio Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1