- Once Upon a Time (1944 film)
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Once Upon a Time
1944 Theatrical PosterDirected by Alexander Hall Produced by Louis F. Edelman Written by Norman Corwin (story)
Lucille Fletcher (story)
Irving Fineman (adaptation)
Lewis Meltzer
Oscar SaulStarring Cary Grant
Janet Blair
James Gleason
Ted DonaldsonRelease date(s) June 29, 1944 Running time 89 minutes Country United States Language English Once Upon a Time is a 1944 fantasy film. Cary Grant plays a conniving showman who needs money desperately to save his theater.
Contents
Plot
Jerry Flynn (Cary Grant) has to come up with $100,000 within a week to keep his theater. By chance, youngster Arthur "Pinky" Thompson (Ted Donaldson) shows him "Curly" (the original title of the film), a caterpillar that gets up on its tail and dances when Pinky plays "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" on his harmonica. Pinky refuses to let Jerry buy his friend, so they become partners. The boy is an orphan being raised by his showgirl sister Jeannie (Janet Blair), so he soon becomes very attached to Jerry, as does his sister.
Jerry is soon publicizing Curly, managing to generate a nationwide sensation. Brandt (William Demarest), a suspicious reporter who has been feuding with Jerry, brings in scientists to examine Curly. To his great disappointment, the caterpillar turns out to be genuine. When the scientists want to keep Curly for further research (and later dissection), it causes a national uproar, with people divided in their opinions.
Meanwhile, behind Pinky's back, Jerry negotiates to sell Curly to Walt Disney, finally getting his price of $100,000. Jerry orders his assistant, the "Moke" (James Gleason), to steal Curly while Pinky is asleep, but the boy wakes up and takes Curly home. Jerry confronts a heartbroken Pinky and gets the insect, but is so ashamed of himself that he leaves the apartment without Curly.
Later, Curly goes missing. Meanwhile, knowing that Jerry and Pinky miss each other, the Moke arranges with the boys of the various Curly fan clubs that have sprung up to get them back together. After their happy reconciliation, Jerry discovers that Curly has transformed into a butterfly.
Cast
- Cary Grant as Jerry Flynn
- Janet Blair as Jeannie Thompson
- James Gleason as McGillicuddy / the "Moke"
- Ted Donaldson as Arthur "Pinky" Thompson
- William Demarest as Brandt
Production notes
The working titles of this film were Curly, My Friend Curly, My Client Curly and Yes Sir, That's My Baby. Production Dates: 13 Sep--17 Dec 1943
See also
- One Froggy Evening, a cartoon about a frog that sings and dances
External links
- Once Upon a Time at the Internet Movie Database
- Once Upon a Time at the TCM Movie Database
- Once Upon a Time at AllRovi
Categories:- English-language films
- 1944 films
- Black-and-white films
- American fantasy-comedy films
- Fantasy film stubs
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