This Could Be the Night (1957)

Jean Simmons (a school teacher) takes a secretarial job in a nightclub. The two club owners quibble about a lot, including her. Unfortunately, she develops an interest for the partner who disapproves of her employment at the club.

Director:

Robert Wise

Writers:

Cornelia Baird Gross (short stories), Isobel Lennart

Stars:

Jean Simmons, Paul Douglas, Anthony Franciosa

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jean Simmons	...	Anne Leeds
Paul Douglas	...	Rocco
Anthony Franciosa	...	Tony Armotti
Julie Wilson	...	Ivy Corlane
Neile Adams	...	Patsy St. Clair
Joan Blondell	...	Crystal St. Clair
J. Carrol Naish	...	Leon - Chef
Rafael Campos	...	Hussein Mohammed
Zasu Pitts	...	Mrs. Katie Shea - Landlady
Tom Helmore	...	Stowe Devlin
Murvyn Vye	...	Waxie London
Vaughn Taylor	...	Ziggy Dawit - Columnist
Frank Ferguson	...	Mr. Shea - Landlord
William Joyce	...	Bruce Cameron (as William Ogden Joyce)
James Todd	...	Mr. Hallerby

Storyline

Jean Simmons (a school teacher) takes a secretarial job in a nightclub. The two club owners quibble about a lot, including her. Unfortunately, she develops an interest for the partner who disapproves of her employment at the club.

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Plot Keywords:

nightclub | reference to casanova | gangster | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 December 1957 (Argentina)

Also Known As:

Protection is a Tough Racket

Filming Locations:

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,569,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System) 4-Track Stereo

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This film flopped at the box office, resulting in a loss to MGM of $804,000 ($7.2M in 2018) according to studio records.

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Quotes

Anne Leeds: I thought I was too much like your sister to take out.
Stowe Devlin: Well, the content is similar, but the form is different.

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Connections

References Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933)

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Soundtracks

I've Got You Under My Skin
(uncredited)
Written by Cole Porter
Performed by Ray Anthony and His Orchestra

User Reviews

Jean Simmons in a familiar sort of role...forgettable trifle...

JEAN SIMMONS is once again assuming the role of a prim young woman who turns the tables on those who underestimate her irresistible charm in THIS COULD BE THE NIGHT--much like the character of the Salvation Army gal who went to Havana with Marlon Brando in GUYS AND DOLLS.

But the material is strictly second rate stuff--despite a cast that includes PAUL DOUGLAS as a nightclub owner, ANTHONY FRANCIOSA as a sort of henchman, JOAN BLONDELL in another one of her brassy supporting parts and J. CARROL NAISH in another accented role as a kitchen chef. None of it was intended to break new ground as a romantic comedy, and it doesn't.

The main appeal is in watching Simmons go through the paces of the "virginal" gal who shakes things up in a seedy atmosphere because she's so good. All of it has a predictable, been there before kind of feeling. The musical numbers conducted by Ray Anthony and his orchestra at least give some color to the nightclub scenes.

It should come as no surprise that Simmons turns out to be super efficient, Douglas--as her boss--is super gruff, coarse and lovable, and Franciosa, who has a "hate at first sight" relationship with Simmons, is bound to be her romantic interest before the final reel is over. The clichéd script occasionally has some snap, but it's not Robert Wise's finest hour as a director.

Pleasant enough, but very inconsequential with Simmons looking very lovely but going through her familiar paces, that's all.