Night and Day (1946)

A fictionalized biopic of composer Cole Porter from his days at Yale in the 1910s through the height of his success to the 1940s.

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

Charles Hoffman (screen play), Leo Townsend (screen play)

Stars:

Cary Grant, Alexis Smith, Monty Woolley

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cary Grant	...	Cole Porter
Alexis Smith	...	Linda Lee Porter
Monty Woolley	...	Monty
Ginny Simms	...	Carole Hill
Jane Wyman	...	Gracie Harris
Eve Arden	...	Gabrielle
Victor Francen	...	Anatole Giron
Alan Hale	...	Leon Dowling
Dorothy Malone	...	Nancy
Tom D'Andrea	...	Tommy
Selena Royle	...	Kate Porter
Donald Woods	...	Ward Blackburn
Henry Stephenson	...	Omar Cole
Paul Cavanagh	...	Bart McClelland
Sig Ruman	...	Wilowski

Storyline

The fictionalized biography of composer Cole Porter from his days at Yale in the 1910s through the height of his success to the 1940s. The film's attempted biography matches many public myths surrounding Cole at the time, despite its lack of relationship with truth. For instance, truth and movie are different in regards to: his sex life (he was a gay man in a marriage of convenience with a divorcee friend), his relationship with his wife, Monty Wooley was a contemporary (not Professor), and his French military experience was a hoax.

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Plot Keywords:

1910s | year 1914 | actress playing herself | chorus girl | maternal grandfather | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Musical

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 August 1946 (USA)

Also Known As:

Night and Day

Filming Locations:

Hill Grove Estate at 1051 Benedict Canyon Drive, Beverly Hills, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

After attending the premiere of the film, Cole Porter supposedly remarked to his wife, Linda, "if I could survive that, I can survive anything."

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Goofs

Throughout the film Porter is portrayed as a lady's man when, in reality, he was openly homosexual.

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Quotes

Cole Porter: Thanks for all the flowers.
Monty Woolley: Yes, one can only send them to a man when he's flat on his back.

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Connections

Featured in Okay for Sound (1946)

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Soundtracks

Love for Sale
(1930) (uncredited)
Written by Cole Porter
Rehearsal number Danced by a Chorus

User Reviews

Cole Porter Bio

Have you ever liked a film you knew wasn't all that great, yet one you simply enjoyed watching? That's the way I feel about "Night and Day," a musical bio with a large dose of fantasy mixed in on that great American songwriter Cole Porter. Perhaps it's the pleasure of watching Cary Grant having a ball playing the composer, and even singing a few tunes to boot. Or maybe it's the youthful Alexis Smith as a perfect "Mrs. Porter," coping with challenges as a famous songwriter's spouse. Certainly Monty Woolley is amusing as himself, playing a role he reportedly lived with the real-life composer. Then there's that honey-coated contralto Ginny Simms looking gorgeous in Technicolor and beautifully singing some of Porter's most expressive music and lyrics. In the supporting cast is a sprighty Jane Wyman (before she became laden with heavy dramatic roles) doing several comic-singing turns, and even a surprise bit from Eve Arden as a French cabaret star, "Gabrielle," performing an early, lesser-known show number. The screen has only one bio of this outstanding American songwriter, one who is respected by both popular and "serious" composer-peers, as well as by the critics and general public alike. Surely the scripters "did a job" on Porter's factual life, yet at least we have this elaborate effort, with a gung-ho cast that's ready & willing to give it their all. They all look like they're having a great time, and I for one have fun with them. Until a better Porter bio comes along, this one will have to do.