A cash-strapped theater producer promotes a nine-year-old boy's dancing caterpillar.
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Title: Once Upon a Time (1944)
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Cast
| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Cary Grant | ... | Jerry Flynn | |
| Janet Blair | ... | Jeannie Thompson | |
| James Gleason | ... | McGillicuddy aka The Moke | |
| Ted Donaldson | ... | Arthur 'Pinky' Thompson | |
| William Demarest | ... | Brandt | |
Edit
Plot Summary
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Storyline
Smalltime crookster and showman Jerry Flynn is desperately searching for a new act to promote in order to save him from ruin. He meets a boy on the street who claims to have a dancing caterpillar called Curly. Flynn seizes the opportunity for fame and fortune at Curly's expense. Written by Col Needham <col@imdb.com>
Plot Keywords:
dancing caterpillar | trapeze artist | passenger | subway | show girl |Taglines:
...the picture about that screwy dancing caterpillar! See more »Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
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See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
29 June 1944 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Alexander Hall's Once Upon a Time See more »Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Color:
Black and WhiteAspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1
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(uncredited)
Music by Walter Donaldson
Lyrics by Gus Kahn
Played often throughout the film
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
"The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30 minute radio adaptation of the movie on February 4, 1945 with Ted Donaldson reprising his film role. See more »Soundtracks
Yes Sir, That's My Baby(uncredited)
Music by Walter Donaldson
Lyrics by Gus Kahn
Played often throughout the film
See more »
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Undoubtedly one of his worst films this deservedly obscure Cary Grant film is a paper thin and borderline idiotic story about a dancing caterpillar! The lead kid could not be more noxious and Grant gives a remarkably arch performance, mugging shamelessly. He must have realized what a dog this was, forced to do it under contract and figured that over reacting and turning on the goo might save this dreck. Janet Blair is incredibly lovely but given very little to do. Two wonderful character actors, James Gleason and William Demarest are likewise wasted and stuck in this disaster. All stars have dogs in their credits list and this one is right next to The Pride and the Passion for Cary.