Casanova Brown (1944)

Cas Brown is about to marry for the second time; his first marriage, to Isabel, was annulled. But when he discovers that Isabel just had their baby, Cas kidnaps the infant to keep her from ... See full summary »

Director:

Sam Wood

Writers:

Nunnally Johnson (written for the screen by), Floyd Dell (play)

Stars:

Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright, Frank Morgan

Nominated for 3 Oscars.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gary Cooper	...	Casanova Brown
Teresa Wright	...	Isabel Drury
Frank Morgan	...	J.J. Ferris
Anita Louise	...	Madge Ferris
Edmund Breon	...	Mr. Drury (as Edmond Breon)
Patricia Collinge	...	Mrs. Drury
Jill Esmond	...	Dr. Martha Zernecke
Mary Treen	...	Monica Case
Emory Parnell	...	Frank
Isobel Elsom	...	Mrs. Ferris
Halliwell Hobbes	...	Charles
Charles Cane	...	Hicks
Larry Olsen	...	Junior (as Larry Joe Olson)
Irving Bacon	...	Hotel Manager
Dorothy Tree	...	Nurse Clark

Storyline

Cas Brown is about to marry for the second time; his first marriage, to Isabel, was annulled. But when he discovers that Isabel just had their baby, Cas kidnaps the infant to keep her from being adopted. Isabel's parents hunt for the child and discover that Cas and Isabel are still hopelessly in love.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | two word title | baby | marriage | reference to casanova | 

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Taglines:

Don Juan did all right in his day...but he was a piker compared to Casanova Brown

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Astrologically, it was a bad day when Cas was born, April 8th, 1907.

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Goofs

The year on a postmark seen in a closeup is 1944, but the tag on the baby's basket indicates the year is 1941.

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Quotes

Isabel Drury: Everybody's a stranger to a newborn baby. Don't you understand? She doesn't know anybody.

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Connections

Version of Little Accident (1930)

User Reviews

Life's surprising little bundle complicates a wedding or two

As a professor on the verge of matrimony for a second time, Cooper (the unlikely Casanova here) learns he's become a new father, by his ex-wife Isabel (Teresa Wright). He wants to find out the truth for himself so visits the hospital directly. One thing leads to another and he decides to kidnap the baby, with mostly awkward and hilarious results.

I like Frank Morgan in this movie as he tries to be the practical observer and adviser. He shines with his usual wit and bumbling charm.

Cooper, being the 'outside parent' makes an interesting remark at one point about fatherhood, that men can be fine leaders and do great things but can't be considered capable enough to raise a child, all of which goes to show the roles society dictated then and even now.

This is amusing entertainment without going overboard on comedy.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 September 1944 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

Casanova Brown

Filming Locations:

Cedars of Lebanon Hospital - 4833 Fountain Avenue, East Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

International Pictures (I), Christie Corporation, Nunnally Johnson Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1