Wabash Avenue (film)
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.
| 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 date |
|
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $2,050,000 (US rentals)[1][2] |
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
- Betty Grable as Ruby Summers
- Victor Mature as Andy Clark
- Phil Harris as Mike Stanley
- Reginald Gardiner as English Eddie
- James Barton as Harrigan
- Barry Kelley as Bouncer
- Margaret Hamilton as Tillie Hutch
- Jacqueline Dalya as Cleo
- Robin Raymond as Jennie
- Hal K. Dawson as Healy
- Dorothy Neumann as Reformer
- Alexander Pope as Charlie Saxe
- Henry Kulky as Joe Barton
- Marie Bryant as Elsa
- Collette Lyons as Beulah
- George Beranger as Wax Museum Attendant
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 Harris.
Filming started on 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
- 'The Top Box Office Hits of 1950', Variety, January 3, 1951
- Aubrey Solomon, Twentieth Century-Fox: A Corporate and Financial History Rowman & Littlefield, 2002 p 223
- THOMAS F. BRADY (Jan 31, 1949). "METRO BUYS STORY FOR MISS HEPBURN: Studio Plans to Co-Star Actress and Tracy in Kanin-Gordon Comedy, 'Man and Wife'". New York Times. p. 14.
- THOMAS F. BRADY (Mar 22, 1949). "M'CREA GETS LEAD IN METRO PICTURE: To Play Clergyman in 'Stars in My Crown,' Based on Novel -- Fitts Doing Scenario". New York Times. p. 31.
- "Of Local Origin". New York Times. May 10, 1949. p. 29.
- THOMAS F. BRADY (Mar 29, 1949). "BRYAN FOY IN DEAL WITH WARNER BROS.: Will Join Studio as Producer After Completing Eagle-Lion Films -- Has 3-Year Pact". New York Times. p. 31.
- "Letter From Hollywood". Christian Science Monitor. June 17, 1949. p. 5.
- "HOLLYWOOD GLAMORIZES OLD. Wendt, Lloyd". Chicago Daily Tribune. July 24, 1949. p. C4.
- "GRABLE TO APPEAR IN 'BLUE HEAVEN': Star Ends Hold-Out Against the Fox Studios -- Koster Will Direct as She Preferred". New York Times. Oct 19, 1949. p. 37.