Mandalay (film)

Mandalay

Theatrical film poster
Directed by Michael Curtiz
Produced by Robert Presnell Sr.
Screenplay by Austin Parker
Charles Kenyon
Story by Paul Hervey Fox
Starring Kay Francis
Ricardo Cortez
Warner Oland
Lyle Talbot
Music by "When Tomorrow Comes"
Sammy Fain (music)
Irving Kahal (lyrics)
Cinematography Tony Gaudio
Edited by Thomas Pratt
Production
company
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release dates
  • February 10, 1934 (1934-02-10)
Running time
65 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Budget $294,000[1]
Box office $629,000[1]

Mandalay is a 1934 American Pre-Code drama film directed by Michael Curtiz and written by Austin Parker and Charles Kenyon based on a story by Paul Hervey Fox. The film stars Kay Francis, Ricardo Cortez, Warner Oland and Lyle Talbot, and features Ruth Donnelly and Reginald Owen.

The film is about a world-weary woman (Francis) nicknamed "Spot White" at the local brothel-bar who does what she can to survive. Curtiz used cutting edge wipes and opticals in the film.[2] Future child star Shirley Temple won a small role in the film as the daughter of the Donnelly and Littlefield characters but the role was little more than a walk-on. Originally, her name was not listed in the credits but only included years later.[3]

Cast

Production

The lead roles were initially offered to George Brent and his wife Ruth Chatterton. Chatterton turned down the role because she did not want to play a prostitute again, and Brent because he did not want to make the trip to the Stockton, California location on San Joaquin River, where the film shot for 10 days. Afterwards, Donald Woods was assigned by the studio to play "Tony Evans".[6]

Reception

Although the critics did not see the film as anything better than a good "B-movie", it was well-received nonetheless, and was a moneymaker for the studio.[4]

Box office

According to Warner Bros records the film made a profit of $83,462.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Mandalay at Kay Francis Films accessed 16 March 2014
  2. Baxter 54
  3. Edwards, p. 49
  4. 1 2 Stafford, Jeff. "Mandalay" on TCM.com
  5. Mandalay (1934) details, allrovi.com; accessed August 30, 2015.
  6. Mandalay (1934) - film notes, tcm.com; accessed July 22, 2015.

Bibliography

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