The Perfect Specimen

Last updated
The Perfect Specimen
The-perfect-specimen-1937.jpg
Film poster
Directed by Michael Curtiz
Written by Norman Reilly Raine
Lawrence Riley
Brewster Morse
Fritz Falkenstein
Story:
Samuel Hopkins Adams
Starring Errol Flynn
Joan Blondell
Cinematography Charles Rosher
Edited by Terry O. Morse
Music by Heinz Roemheld
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date
  • October 23, 1937 (1937-10-23)(U.S.)
Running time
97 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$505,000 [1]
Box office$1,281,000 [1]

The Perfect Specimen is a 1937 American romantic comedy film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Errol Flynn and Joan Blondell. The picture is based on a novel by Samuel Hopkins Adams.

Contents

It was Flynn's first comedy. [2]

Plot

Gerald Wicks, the heir to a large fortune, has never been outside the gates of his childhood estate. He goes on an adventure with newspaper reporter Mona Carter and they fall in love.

Cast

Original novel

The Perfect Specimen
AuthorSamuel Hopkins
LanguageEnglish
GenreComedy
PublisherNew York Liveright Publishing Corporation
Publication date
1936
Pages224

The book was based on a novel. The New York Times called it "a trifling little number. It reads like one of those old fashioned farce comedies... hammock reading for a hot afternoon." [3]

Production

The film was Flynn's first comedy starring role and the movie always seems to have been considered a vehicle for him. [4] He made it after holidaying in Europe. [5]

Warners originally sought Carole Lombard or Miriam Hopkins to play against Errol Flynn [6] and for a while it seemed Hopkins was set to co-star. However she turned down the role and Warners decided to look at players assigned to their contract roster. The two leading contenders were Olivia de Havilland and Joan Blondell; [7] it was thought the former was ideal if the role was played in a "romantic" way but the latter should be preferred it they wanted someone "pepful and sparkling". [8] Blondell was cast and filming started in May 1937.

Marie Wilson was meant to play a small role but was assigned to The Great Garrick instead. [9] Dennie Moore replaced Jane Wyman. [10]

Joan Blondell fell ill during filming but recovered. [11]

Reception

The New York Times called the film a "light and unaffecting romantic comedy." [12]

May Robson's performance was highly praised in particular. [13]

Box Office

According to Warner Bros records the film earned $786,000 domestically and $495,000 foreign. [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Errol Flynn</span> Australian actor (1909–1959)

Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn was an Australian actor who achieved worldwide fame during the Golden Age of Hollywood. He was known for his romantic swashbuckler roles, frequent partnerships with Olivia de Havilland, and reputation for his womanising and hedonistic personal life. His most notable roles include Robin Hood in The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), which was later named by the American Film Institute as the 18th greatest hero in American film history, the lead role in Captain Blood (1935), Major Geoffrey Vickers in The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936), and the hero in a number of Westerns such as Dodge City (1939), Santa Fe Trail, Virginia City, and San Antonio (1945).

<i>Virginia City</i> (film) 1940 film directed by Michael Curtiz

Virginia City is a 1940 American Western film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Errol Flynn, Miriam Hopkins, Randolph Scott, and a mustachioed Humphrey Bogart in the role of the real-life outlaw John Murrell. Based on a screenplay by Robert Buckner, the film is about a Union officer who escapes from a Confederate prison and is sent to Virginia City from where his former prison commander is planning to send five million dollars in gold to Virginia to save the Confederacy. The film premiered in its namesake, Virginia City, Nevada. The film was shot in black and white (sepiatone).

<i>The Charge of the Light Brigade</i> (1936 film) 1936 film by Michael Curtiz

The Charge of the Light Brigade is a 1936 American historical adventure film from Warner Bros., starring Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland. It was directed by Michael Curtiz and produced by Samuel Bischoff, with Hal B. Wallis as the executive producer. The film's screenplay is by Michael Jacoby and Rowland Leigh, from a story by Michael Jacoby, and based on the 1854 poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The music score was composed by Max Steiner, his first for Warner Bros., and the cinematography was by Sol Polito. Scenes were shot at the following California locations: Lone Pine, Sherwood Lake, Lasky Mesa, Chatsworth, and Sonora. The Sierra Nevada mountains were used for the Khyber Pass scenes.

<i>Gentleman Jim</i> (film) 1942 film by Raoul Walsh

Gentleman Jim is a 1942 film directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Errol Flynn as heavyweight boxing champion James J. Corbett (1866–1933). The supporting cast includes Alexis Smith, Jack Carson, Alan Hale, William Frawley, and Ward Bond as John L. Sullivan. The movie was based upon Corbett's 1894 autobiography, The Roar of the Crowd. The role was one of Flynn's favorites.

<i>Adventures of Don Juan</i> 1948 film by Vincent Sherman

Adventures of Don Juan is a 1948 American Technicolor swashbuckling adventure romance film directed by Vincent Sherman and starring Errol Flynn and Viveca Lindfors, with Robert Douglas, Alan Hale, Ann Rutherford, and Robert Warwick. Also in the cast are Barbara Bates, Raymond Burr, and Mary Stuart. The film was distributed by Warner Bros. and produced by Jerry Wald. The screenplay by George Oppenheimer and Harry Kurnitz, based on a story by Herbert Dalmas, has uncredited contributions by William Faulkner and Robert Florey.

<i>The Sisters</i> (1938 film) 1938 drama film by Anatole Litvak

The Sisters is a 1938 American drama film produced and directed by Anatole Litvak and starring Errol Flynn and Bette Davis. The screenplay by Milton Krims is based on the 1937 novel of the same title by Myron Brinig.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Errol Flynn filmography</span>

The film appearances of movie actor Errol Flynn (1909–1959) are listed here, including his short films and one unfinished feature.

<i>That Forsyte Woman</i> 1949 film by Compton Bennett

That Forsyte Woman is a 1949 American romantic drama film directed by Compton Bennett and starring Greer Garson, Errol Flynn, Walter Pidgeon, Robert Young and Janet Leigh. It is an adaptation of the 1906 novel The Man of Property, the first book in The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy.

<i>The Prince and the Pauper</i> (1937 film) 1937 film by William Dieterle, William Keighley

The Prince and the Pauper is a 1937 film adaptation of the 1881 novel of the same name by Mark Twain. It starred Errol Flynn, twins Billy and Bobby Mauch in the title roles, and Claude Rains and has been described as "a kids' fantasy."

Seton Ingersoll Miller was an American screenwriter and producer. During his career, he worked with film directors such as Howard Hawks and Michael Curtiz. Miller received two Oscar nominations and won once for Best Screenplay for the 1941 fantasy romantic comedy film, Here Comes Mr. Jordan, along with Sidney Buchman.

<i>Green Light</i> (1937 film) 1937 film by Frank Borzage

Green Light is a 1937 American drama film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Errol Flynn, Anita Louise and Margaret Lindsay. The film is adapted from a novel written by Lloyd C. Douglas. The novel is closely related to Douglas' previous book, Magnificent Obsession, which was also adapted as a movie. It was Flynn's first starring role in a studio film that was not an action movie.

<i>The Master of Ballantrae</i> (1953 film) 1953 film by William Keighley

The Master of Ballantrae is a 1953 British Technicolor adventure film starring Errol Flynn and Roger Livesey. It is a loose and highly truncated adaptation of the Robert Louis Stevenson 1889 novel of the same name. In eighteenth century Scotland, two sons of a laird clash over the family estate and a lady.

<i>The Case of the Curious Bride</i> 1935 film by Michael Curtiz

The Case of the Curious Bride is a 1935 American mystery film, the second in a series of four starring Warren William as Perry Mason, following The Case of the Howling Dog. The script was based on the 1934 novel of the same name by Erle Stanley Gardner, published by William Morrow and Company, which proved to be one of the most popular of all the Perry Mason novels.

<i>Footsteps in the Dark</i> (film) 1941 film by Lloyd Bacon

Footsteps in the Dark is a light-hearted 1941 mystery film, starring Errol Flynn as an amateur detective investigating a murder.

<i>Cry Wolf</i> (1947 film) 1947 film by Peter Godfrey

Cry Wolf is a 1947 American mystery film noir directed by Peter Godfrey and starring Errol Flynn, Barbara Stanwyck and Geraldine Brooks. It was produced and distributed by Warner Bros. It is based on the 1945 novel of the same name by Marjorie Carleton.

<i>The Petty Girl</i> 1950 film by Henry Levin

The Petty Girl (1950), known in the UK as Girl of the Year, is a musical romantic comedy Technicolor film starring Robert Cummings and Joan Caulfield. Cummings portrays painter George Petty who falls for Victoria Braymore (Caulfield), the youngest professor at Braymore College who eventually becomes "The Petty Girl".

<i>Silver River</i> (film) 1948 film by Raoul Walsh

Silver River is a 1948 American western film directed by Raoul Walsh and starring Errol Flynn, Ann Sheridan and Thomas Mitchell. The film is based on a Stephen Longstreet story that was turned into a novel. It was produced and distributed by Warner Bros.

<i>Dont Bet on Blondes</i> 1935 film by Robert Florey

Don't Bet on Blondes is a 1935 American romantic comedy film.

<i>Adventures of Captain Fabian</i> 1951 film by Robert Florey

Adventures of Captain Fabian or Adventure in New Orleans is a 1951 American adventure film directed by William Marshall and starring Errol Flynn, Micheline Presle, Vincent Price, Agnes Moorehead and Victor Francen.

<i>Another Dawn</i> (1937 film) 1937 film by William Dieterle

Another Dawn is a 1937 American melodrama film directed by William Dieterle and starring Errol Flynn, Kay Francis and Ian Hunter. It is based on Somerset Maugham's 1919 play Caesar's Wife. It was produced and distributed by Warner Brothers. The film received dismissive reviews.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Warner Bros financial information in The William Shaefer Ledger. See Appendix 1, Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, (1995) 15:sup1, 1-31 p 18 DOI: 10.1080/01439689508604551
  2. Vagg, Stephen (November 10, 2019). "The Films of Errol Flynn: Part 2 The Golden Years". Filmink.
  3. PERFECT SPECIMEN By Samuel Hopkins 224 pp. New York Liveright Publishing Corporation. $2.
  4. Tony Thomas, Rudy Behlmer * Clifford McCarty, The Films of Errol Flynn, Citadel Press, 1969 p 58-59
  5. "NEWS OF THE SCREEN: ' Seventh Heaven' and 'Silent Barriers' Open Today-Dolly Haas to Bow in 'Absent Without Leave' News from Hollywood". New York Times. Mar 25, 1937. p. 29.
  6. "HUSTQN IS SLATED FOR NEW FILM ROLE: May Appear With Miss Rogers for R.-K.-O.--FirstScreenTest Passed by Mrs. Moody ZUKOR DINNER TONIGHT 1,000 to Help Mark Producer's 25th Year in PicturesFrohman to Attend". New York Times. Mar 29, 1937. p. 14.
  7. Schallert, Edwin (May 12, 1937). "NEW "TORCHY BLANE" AWAITING GLENDA FARRELL UPON RETURN: Gene Raymond to Act Again With Ann Sothern". Los Angeles Times. p. A10.
  8. Schallert, Edwin (May 7, 1937). "WILD TRIO JOIN "MAKE A WISH" AS BOBBY BREEN OPUS POSTPONED: Girls Debated for "Perfect Specimen" Role". Los Angeles Times. p. 19.
  9. "WARNERS TO STAGE PLAYS IN LONDON: Complete Plans to Produce in the Fall--Shows Later to Be Converted Into Films A PURCHASE BY GOLDWYN He Gets Screen Rights to 'The Duchess of Broadway'--Other Picture News News From Hollywood". New York Times. June 12, 1937. p. 8.
  10. "NEWS OF THE SCREEN: ' Slave Ship' Tonight at the Rivoli--Warner Standard May Fly Over Broadway in Autumn News From Hollywood". New York Times. June 16, 1937. p. 27.
  11. Schallert, Edwin (June 29, 1937). "DOUG FAIRBANKS, JR., WILL STAY IN HOLLYWOOD FOR HEPBURN COMEDY: Marla Shelton to Play "Star" in "Stand-In"". Los Angeles Times. p. 13.
  12. FRANK S. NUGENT (Oct 28, 1937). "THE SCREEN: With Errol Flynn as Exhibit A, the Warners Present 'The Perfect Specimen' at the Strand Theatre". New York Times. p. 29.
  13. "BEST PERFORMANCES IN CURRENT PICTURES". Los Angeles Times. Nov 7, 1937. p. C1.