| Revision as of 18:16, 13 December 2008 editLightbot (talk | contribs)791,863 edits Remove invalid combination (concealed link+full date links). Pick only one of two.← Previous edit | Revision as of 15:30, 24 December 2008 edit undoSavolya (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers30,000 editsNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
| (5 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 27: | Line 27: | ||
| '''''Susan Slept Here''''' (]) is a ] starring ] (in his last film role) and ]. | '''''Susan Slept Here''''' (]) is a ] starring ] (in his last film role) and ]. | ||
| The film was nominated for two ], for Best Music, Original Song |
The film was nominated for two ], for Best Music, Original Song '']'' and for Best Sound, Recording. | ||
| ==Plot summary== | ==Plot summary== | ||
| Mark Christopher (Dick Powell) is a successful ] scriptwriter who has, since winning an ] for sceenwriting, suffered from partial ], and has been unable to produce a decent script. One ], he receives an unexpected and very unwanted surprise present. | Mark Christopher (]) is a thirty-five-year-old successful ] scriptwriter who has, since winning an ] for sceenwriting, suffered from partial ], and has been unable to produce a decent script. One ], he receives an unexpected and very unwanted surprise present. | ||
| A ] whom Mark befriended on a film set remembered his comment that he was thinking about writing a script about ] and wanted to talk to a delinquent. So the policeman brings him seventeen-year-old Susan Landis (Debbie Reynolds). Susan had been abandoned by her mother and was arrested for ]. Not wanting to keep her in jail over the holidays, the kindhearted cop decided to bend the rules (much to the disapproval of his partner) and let her stay in Mark's luxurious apartment until her arraignment the day after Christmas, and giving Mark what he had casually asked for. | A ] Sergeant Sam Hanlon (]), whom Mark befriended on a film set and had helped him on a script, remembered his comment that he was thinking about writing a script about ] and wanted to talk to a delinquent. So the policeman brings him seventeen-year-old Susan Landis (]). Susan had been abandoned by her mother and was arrested for ]. Not wanting to keep her in jail over the holidays, the kindhearted cop decided to bend the rules (much to the disapproval of his partner) and let her stay in Mark's luxurious apartment until her arraignment the day after Christmas, and giving Mark what he had casually asked for. | ||
| Mark is naturally appalled, but is eventually persuaded to take the girl in. This doesn't go over too well with his more adult girlfriend, Isabella Alexander (]), the demanding senator's daughter whom Mark has been dating for years. Isabella's jealousy grows exponentially when Susan develops a crush on Mark. Mark's secretary Maude Snodgrass (]), Mark's best friend Virgil (]), and his lawyer Harvey Butterworth (]), do their best to keep the situation under control. | |||
| The situation is further complicated when Harvey lets slip that Susan will likely serve three or four months in a juvenile detention facility after her arraignment, as public vagrancy and punching the sailor each have set jail terms attached, and Susan lacks the "visible means of support" and settled home life that would prompt a judge to suspend these terms. Moved, Mark decides to provide Susan with the appearance of support and stability - by impulsively taking her to Las Vegas and marrying her. The marriage, he explains to his friends, will last for just the few months needed to convince the judge that Susan has made good. | The situation is further complicated when Harvey lets slip that Susan will likely serve three or four months in a juvenile detention facility after her arraignment, as public vagrancy and punching the sailor each have set jail terms attached, and Susan lacks the "visible means of support" and settled home life that would prompt a judge to suspend these terms. Moved, Mark decides to provide Susan with the appearance of support and stability - by impulsively taking her to ] and marrying her. The marriage, he explains to his friends, will last for just the few months needed to convince the judge that Susan has made good. | ||
| The love-struck Susan, of course, has other ideas. With the encouragement and support of Maude, who still regrets leaving her childhood love behind for a career in Hollywood, Susan determines to fight Isabella's schemes and Mark's doubts in order to convince Mark to make their marriage permanent. | The love-struck Susan, of course, has other ideas. With the encouragement and support of Maude, who still regrets leaving her childhood love behind for a career in Hollywood, Susan determines to fight Isabella's schemes and Mark's doubts in order to convince Mark to make their marriage permanent. | ||
| Susan studies some home movies of Mark and Isabella and decides to learn golf and horseback riding in order to compete with Isabella. Isabella, meanwhile, sneaks into Mark's mountain cabin, hoping to reunite with him, but Mark convinces her that they are not right for each other. | |||
| Los Angeles, Susan has two confusing dreams about Mark, and that morning, is summoned to Harvey's office to sign the annulment papers. After Susan refuses, a frustrated Harvey declares that Mark cannot divorce her because the marriage has not been consummated. Harvey notices her eating strawberries and pickles and, assuming she is pregnant, telephones Mark in Big Bear. Enraged, Mark insists that he did not consummate the marriage and concludes that Virgil must be responsible. Mark races back to Los Angeles and knocks the unsuspecting Virgil out, then interrupts Harvey in the middle of his therapy session. Harvey's psychiatrist becomes intrigued by Mark's predicament and gets him to admit that he is jealous of Virgil and loves Susan, despite their age difference.<ref>http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/48019/Susan-Slept-Here/overview</ref> | |||
| Mark finally returns home and finds Susan, dressed up and waiting to serve him a romantic dinner. When Susan confesses that she frequently eats pickles with strawberries, Mark realizes that she has been faithful and admits that he cannot live without her. Mark is still hesitant until Susan reassures him that his age does not matter, and the two finally disappear into the bedroom together.<ref>http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=1064</ref> | |||
| ''Susan Slept Here'' was Dick Powell's last starring feature film after more than two decades of stardom - he continued his career behind the scenes from this film on. During production, Powell at age 50 was a full 28 years older than his leading lady Reynolds, who was 22 and his older girlfriend Francis was 24.<ref>http://www.debbiereynoldsonline.com/moviesusan.htm</ref> | |||
| ==Cast== | |||
| *'']'' as Mark Christopher | |||
| *'']'' as Susan Beaurgard Landis | |||
| *'']'' as Isabella Alexander | |||
| *'']'' as Virgil, Mark's Gofer | |||
| *'']'' as Maude Snodgrass | |||
| *'']'' as Sergeant Monty Maizel | |||
| *'']'' as Sergeant Sam Hanlon | |||
| *'']'' as Harvey Butterworth, Mark's Lawyer | |||
| *'']'' as Marilyn, Mark's Neighbor | |||
| *'']'' as Georgette, Mark's Maid | |||
| *'']'' as Dr. Rawley, Harvey's Shrink | |||
| *'']'' as Coffee Shop Waitress | |||
| *'']'' as Sylvester the Janitor | |||
| *'']'' as Miss Jennings, Dr. Raleigh's Secretary | |||
| *'']'' as Coffee Shop Cashier | |||
| ==References== | |||
| {{reflist}} | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 15:30, 24 December 2008
1954 film| Susan Slept Here | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Frank Tashlin |
| Written by | Steve Fisher (play) Alex Gottlieb (play and screenplay) |
| Starring | Dick Powell Debbie Reynolds |
| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
| Release date | 25 June 1954 |
| Running time | 98 minutes |
| Country |  United States |
| Language | English |
Susan Slept Here (1954) is a romantic comedy film starring Dick Powell (in his last film role) and Debbie Reynolds.
The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, for Best Music, Original Song Hold My Hand and for Best Sound, Recording.
Plot summary
Mark Christopher (Dick Powell) is a thirty-five-year-old successful Hollywood scriptwriter who has, since winning an Academy Award for sceenwriting, suffered from partial writer's block, and has been unable to produce a decent script. One Christmas Eve, he receives an unexpected and very unwanted surprise present.
A vice cop Sergeant Sam Hanlon (Herb Vigran), whom Mark befriended on a film set and had helped him on a script, remembered his comment that he was thinking about writing a script about juvenile delinquency and wanted to talk to a delinquent. So the policeman brings him seventeen-year-old Susan Landis (Debbie Reynolds). Susan had been abandoned by her mother and was arrested for vagrancy. Not wanting to keep her in jail over the holidays, the kindhearted cop decided to bend the rules (much to the disapproval of his partner) and let her stay in Mark's luxurious apartment until her arraignment the day after Christmas, and giving Mark what he had casually asked for.
Mark is naturally appalled, but is eventually persuaded to take the girl in. This doesn't go over too well with his more adult girlfriend, Isabella Alexander (Anne Francis), the demanding senator's daughter whom Mark has been dating for years. Isabella's jealousy grows exponentially when Susan develops a crush on Mark. Mark's secretary Maude Snodgrass (Glenda Farrell), Mark's best friend Virgil (Alvy Moore), and his lawyer Harvey Butterworth (Les Tremayne), do their best to keep the situation under control.
The situation is further complicated when Harvey lets slip that Susan will likely serve three or four months in a juvenile detention facility after her arraignment, as public vagrancy and punching the sailor each have set jail terms attached, and Susan lacks the "visible means of support" and settled home life that would prompt a judge to suspend these terms. Moved, Mark decides to provide Susan with the appearance of support and stability - by impulsively taking her to Las Vegas and marrying her. The marriage, he explains to his friends, will last for just the few months needed to convince the judge that Susan has made good.
The love-struck Susan, of course, has other ideas. With the encouragement and support of Maude, who still regrets leaving her childhood love behind for a career in Hollywood, Susan determines to fight Isabella's schemes and Mark's doubts in order to convince Mark to make their marriage permanent.
Susan studies some home movies of Mark and Isabella and decides to learn golf and horseback riding in order to compete with Isabella. Isabella, meanwhile, sneaks into Mark's mountain cabin, hoping to reunite with him, but Mark convinces her that they are not right for each other.
Los Angeles, Susan has two confusing dreams about Mark, and that morning, is summoned to Harvey's office to sign the annulment papers. After Susan refuses, a frustrated Harvey declares that Mark cannot divorce her because the marriage has not been consummated. Harvey notices her eating strawberries and pickles and, assuming she is pregnant, telephones Mark in Big Bear. Enraged, Mark insists that he did not consummate the marriage and concludes that Virgil must be responsible. Mark races back to Los Angeles and knocks the unsuspecting Virgil out, then interrupts Harvey in the middle of his therapy session. Harvey's psychiatrist becomes intrigued by Mark's predicament and gets him to admit that he is jealous of Virgil and loves Susan, despite their age difference.
Mark finally returns home and finds Susan, dressed up and waiting to serve him a romantic dinner. When Susan confesses that she frequently eats pickles with strawberries, Mark realizes that she has been faithful and admits that he cannot live without her. Mark is still hesitant until Susan reassures him that his age does not matter, and the two finally disappear into the bedroom together.
Susan Slept Here was Dick Powell's last starring feature film after more than two decades of stardom - he continued his career behind the scenes from this film on. During production, Powell at age 50 was a full 28 years older than his leading lady Reynolds, who was 22 and his older girlfriend Francis was 24.
Cast
- Dick Powell as Mark Christopher
- Debbie Reynolds as Susan Beaurgard Landis
- Anne Francis as Isabella Alexander
- Alvy Moore as Virgil, Mark's Gofer
- Glenda Farrell as Maude Snodgrass
- Horace McMahon as Sergeant Monty Maizel
- Herb Vigran as Sergeant Sam Hanlon
- Les Tremayne as Harvey Butterworth, Mark's Lawyer
- Mara Lane as Marilyn, Mark's Neighbor
- Maidie Norman as Georgette, Mark's Maid
- Rita Johnson as Dr. Rawley, Harvey's Shrink
- Ellen Corby as Coffee Shop Waitress
- Benny Rubin as Sylvester the Janitor
- Barbara Darrow as Miss Jennings, Dr. Raleigh's Secretary
- Sue Carlton as Coffee Shop Cashier
References
- http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/48019/Susan-Slept-Here/overview
- http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=1064
- http://www.debbiereynoldsonline.com/moviesusan.htm