IDIOT'S DELIGHT

Idiot's Delight
MGM, 1939, B/W, 105 minutes, ***
Released January, 1939

This film is not a musical at all, but it is a good movie. It's included here because of Clark Gable's rendition of "Puttin' on the Ritz," which is a must-see! He sings and dances with Chorus Girls, and he does a pretty good job, too. Clark Gable and Norma Shearer sing "Onward Christian Soldiers."

Producer: Hunt Stromberg
Director: Clarence Brown
Screenplay: Robert E. Sherwood (based on his play)
Music Director: Herbert Stothart
Song Score: various
Choreography: George King
Art Direction: Cedric Gibbons, Wade B. Rubottom
Set Decoration: Edwin B. Willis
Gowns: Adrian
Cinematography: William Daniels
Film Editing: Robert J. Kern

Cast: Norma Shearer [Irene Fellara], Clark Gable [Harry Van], Edward Arnold [Achille Weber], Charles Coburn [Dr. Waldersee], Joseph Schildkraut [Capt. Kirvline], Burgess Meredith [Quillery], Laura Hope Crews [Mme. Zuleika], Skeets Gallagher [Donald Navadel], Peter Willes [Mr. Cherry], Pat Paterson [Mrs. Cherry], William Edmunds [Dumptsy], Fritz Feld [Pittatek], Virginia Grey [Shirley Laughlin], Lorraine Krueger [Bebe], Paula Stone [Beulah Tremeyne], Virginia Dale [Francine], Joan Marsh [Elaine Messiger], Bernadene Hayes [Edna Creesh], Edward Raquello [Chiari], Frank Orth [Benny Zinssar], George Sorel [Major], Hobart Cavanaugh [Frueheim, the Theater Manager], Bernard Suss [Auguste], William Irving [Sandro], Harry Strang [Sergeant], Emory Parnell [Fifth Avenue Cop], Bud Geary [Ambulance Driver], Mitchell Lewis [Indian], Joe Yule [Comic], Gertrude Bennett [Woman with Powders], Jimmy Conlin [Stagehand], Bonita Weber [Woman with Catsup], Rudolph Myzet [Czech Announcer], Adolph Milar [Fellara], Clem Bevans [Jimmy Barzek], Claire McDowell [Mother], Robert Middlemass [Hospital Commandant], Evalyn Knapp [Nurse], Eddie Gribbon [Cop], Buddy Messinger [Usher], Charles Judels [Greek Restaurant Owner], Paul Panzer [Greek Chef], E. Alyn Warren [Clerk, Grand Hotel], Frank Faylen [Ed], Frank M. Thomas [Bert], Garry Owen [Newsstand Man], Lee Phelps [Train Announcer], Francis McDonald [Flight Captain]

Musical Program: Puttin' on the Ritz (sung and danced by Clark Gable and Girls); Onward Christian Soldiers (Clark Gable and Norma Shearer)