This Is the Night **** (1932, Lili Damita, Charles Ruggles, Roland Young, Thelma Todd, Cary Grant) – Classic Movie Review 11,275

Director Frank Tuttle’s 1932 Paramount Pictures pre-Code comedy film This Is the Night stars Lili Damita, Charles Ruggles, Roland Young, Thelma Todd and Cary Grant in his film debut.

Amorous confusion reigns as ladykiller Gerald Grey (Young) tries to seduce Claire Mathewson (Todd) while her jealous husband Stephen (Grant) is off throwing javelins at the 1932 Summer Olympic Games. Stephen comes back unexpectedly and discovers the train tickets for a romantic Venice getaway Claire has planned with her lover Gerald.

Thelma Todd, Roland Young and Lili Damita in This Is the Night.

This Is the Night is a very cheerful and entertaining comedy, witty written, delightfully played and expertly handled, with a hint of the René Clair touch. The pleasing cast in this merry mix-up of racy relationships most notably includes Young as Gerald Grey, Todd as Claire Mathewson, Ruggles as Bunny West, a millionaire in Italy, Grant ma king the most of his feature début as husband Stephen and Claire Dodd as the actress Chou-Chou. Irving Bacon is also fun playing Gerald’s chauffeur Sparks who repeatedly snags Claire’s dress, causing her to lose her clothing.

Also in the cast are Davison Clark, as Studio Official, Gino Corrado as Manager of Neapolitan Hotel, Alex Melesh as Porter, Donald Novis as Singing Gondolier, Tiny Sandford as Porter, Rolfe Sedan as Boulevardier, and Harry Semels as Man in the Manhole.

Charles Ruggles, Cary Grant, Lili Damita and Roland Young in This Is the Night.

It is based on the 1923 play Pouche by Henri Falk and René Peter, and the 1925 English-language adaptation Naughty Cinderella by Avery Hopwood, previously filmed as Good and Naughty (1926) with Pola Negri.

Thinking that a man accepting the unfaithfulness of his wife so calmly was unbelievable, Grant disliked his role so much that he decided to quit movies but his Hollywood costume designer friend Orry-Kelly talked him out of it.

The song ‘This Is the Night’ is written by Sam Coslow and Ralph Rainger.

Night scenes were seen in blue tint, restored on the Turner Classic Movies 2011 single DVD version.

This Is the Night is directed by Frank Tuttle, runs 80 minutes, is made and released by Paramount, is written by Benjamin Glazer and George Marion Jr, based on the play Pouche by Henri Falk and René Peter, and Naughty Cinderella by Avery Hopwood, is shot in black and white by Victor Milner, with night scenes in blue tint, is produced by Benjamin Glazer, and scored by Ralph Rainger.

It is shot at Paramount Studios, 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood.

Cary Grant (January 18, 1904 – November 29, 1986) acted in at least 76 films between 1932 and 1966.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,275

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