The Perfect Specimen
Template:Short description Template:Infobox film/short descriptionScript error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Expression error: Unrecognized punctuation character "[". 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.
It was Flynn's first comedy.[1]
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
- Errol Flynn as Gerald Beresford Wicks
- Joan Blondell as Mona Carter
- Hugh Herbert as Killigrew Shaw
- Edward Everett Horton as Mr. Gratten
- Dick Foran as Jink Carter
- Beverly Roberts as Alicia
- May Robson as Mrs. Leona Wicks
- Allen Jenkins as Pinky
- Dennie Moore as Clarabelle
- Hugh O'Connell as Hotel clerk
- James Burke as Snodgrass
- Granville Bates as Hooker
Original novel
Script error: No such module "Infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:Wikidata image 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."[2]
Production
The film was Flynn's first comedy starring role and the movie always seems to have been considered a vehicle for him.[3] He made it after holidaying in Europe.[4]
Warners originally sought Carole Lombard or Miriam Hopkins to play against Errol Flynn[5] 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;[6] 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".[7] 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.[8] Dennie Moore replaced Jane Wyman.[9]
Joan Blondell fell ill during filming but recovered.[10]
Reception
The New York Times called the film a "light and unaffecting romantic comedy."[11]
May Robson's performance was highly praised in particular.[12]
Box Office
According to Warner Bros records the film earned $786,000 domestically and $495,000 foreign.[13]
References
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- ↑ Script error: No such module "Citation/CS1".
- ↑ PERFECT SPECIMEN By Samuel Hopkins 224 pp. New York Liveright Publishing Corporation. $2.
- ↑ Tony Thomas, Rudy Behlmer * Clifford McCarty, The Films of Errol Flynn, Citadel Press, 1969 p 58-59
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External links
- The Perfect Specimen at the TCM Movie DatabaseTemplate:EditAtWikidata
- Script error: No such module "If empty". at IMDbTemplate:EditAtWikidataScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:WikidataCheck
- The Perfect Specimen on Lux Radio Theater: January 2, 1939.
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