Wabash Avenue (film)

Wabash Avenue
Directed by Henry Koster
Produced by William Perlberg
Written by Charles Lederer
Harry Tugend
Starring Betty Grable
Victor Mature
Music by Cyril J. Mockridge
Cinematography Arthur E. Arling
Edited by Robert L. Simpson
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release dates
 May 24, 1950
Running time
 92 minutes
Country United States
Language English
Box office $2,050,000 (US rentals)[1][2]

Wabash Avenue is a 1950 Technicolor American musical film directed by Henry Koster and starring Betty Grable. The film was a remake of Grable's earlier hit 1943 film Coney Island.

Plot

Ruby Summers (Betty Grable) is a burlesque queen in a successful dance hall in 1892 Chicago. The owner of the dance hall Mike (Phil Harris) has cheated his ex-partner Andy Clark (Victor Mature) out of a half interest in the business. Andy schemes to potentially ruin Mike and also hopes to make Ruby a classy entertainer, as well as his own girl.

Cast

Background

Wabash Avenue, named from a major Chicago street, was reportedly conceived as a biopic of Chicago songwriter Gus Kahn. Negotiations dissolved but exhibitors had been promised that title so 20th Century Fox hastily substituted a rewrite of its 1943 Coney Island. (The Kahn biopic was made at Warner Bros. in 1951 as I’ll See You in My Dreams, with Danny Thomas as Kahn.)

The film became a vehicle for Betty Grable with Richard Widmark and Paul Douglas to co-star. The setting was to be the 1893 Chicago Exposition.[3] Eventually Widmark was replaced by Victor Mature.[4] Eventually Paul Douglas dropped out and was replaced by Phil Haris.

Filming started in 9 May 1949.[5] It was the first in a three picture contract Koster had with Fox.[6]

The film featured five new numbers in addition to some old favourites. 87 sets were constructed included a recreation of Wabash Avenue.[7][8]

Grable enjoyed working with director Henry Koster so much she insisted he direct her next film, My Blue Heaven.[9]

Awards

Wabash Avenue also received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song for the number Wilhelmina

References

  1. ↑ 'The Top Box Office Hits of 1950', Variety, January 3, 1951
  2. ↑ Aubrey Solomon, Twentieth Century-Fox: A Corporate and Financial History Rowman & Littlefield, 2002 p 223
  3. ↑ METRO BUYS STORY FOR MISS HEPBURN: Studio Plans to Co-Star Actress and Tracy in Kanin-Gordon Comedy, 'Man and Wife' By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 31 Jan 1949: 14.
  4. ↑ M'CREA GETS LEAD IN METRO PICTURE: To Play Clergyman in 'Stars in My Crown,' Based on Novel -- Fitts Doing Scenario By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 22 Mar 1949: 31.
  5. ↑ Of Local Origin New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 10 May 1949: 29.
  6. ↑ BRYAN FOY IN DEAL WITH WARNER BROS.: Will Join Studio as Producer After Completing Eagle-Lion Films -- Has 3-Year Pact By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 29 Mar 1949: 31.
  7. ↑ Letter From Hollywood By Frank Daugherty Special to The Christian Science Monitor. The Christian Science Monitor (1908-Current file) [Boston, Mass] 17 June 1949: 5.
  8. ↑ HOLLYWOOD GLAMORIZES OLD Wendt, Lloyd. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 24 July 1949: C4.
  9. ↑ GRABLE TO APPEAR IN 'BLUE HEAVEN': Star Ends Hold-Out Against the Fox Studios -- Koster Will Direct as She Preferred Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 19 Oct 1949: 37.


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