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The ''Los Angeles Times'' praised the "exceptionally capable" younger actors.<ref>'Highway' Engrossing; 'Queen for a Day' Shows
The ''Los Angeles Times'' praised the "exceptionally capable" younger actors.<ref>'Highway' Engrossing; 'Queen for a Day' Shows
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 15 Sep 1951: A7. </ref>
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 15 Sep 1951: A7. </ref>

''Diabolique'' magazine said the third segment "was based on a story by Dorothy Parker, whose satirical point about beauty is muted in this adaptation – perhaps Lubin was too “nice” a director to do it justice. The other stories are warmly done... but put together they don’t t quite work as a movie – maybe it would’ve been better had Lubin been restricted to a 65 minute running time like in the old days."<ref>{{Cite magazine|magazine=Diabolique Magazine|first=Stephen|last=Vagg|url=https://diaboliquemagazine.com/the-cinema-of-arthur-lubin/|date=14 September 2019|title=The Cinema of Arthur Lubin}}</ref>


The film was released in some markets as ''Horsie''.<ref>BY WAY OF REPORT: Embassy Newsreel to Adopt Large Screen Television--Other Assorted Matters
The film was released in some markets as ''Horsie''.<ref>BY WAY OF REPORT: Embassy Newsreel to Adopt Large Screen Television--Other Assorted Matters
Line 123: Line 125:
Stillman was meant to follow it with an adaptation of ''[[Island in the Sky (1953 film)|Island in the Sky]]'' written by Miller.<ref>STILLMAN TO MAKE NEW AVIATION FILM: Acquires Rights to 'Island in the Sky,' Gann Novel About Air Transport Command
Stillman was meant to follow it with an adaptation of ''[[Island in the Sky (1953 film)|Island in the Sky]]'' written by Miller.<ref>STILLMAN TO MAKE NEW AVIATION FILM: Acquires Rights to 'Island in the Sky,' Gann Novel About Air Transport Command
By THOMAS F. BRADY Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. 26 Jan 1950: 23. </ref>
By THOMAS F. BRADY Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. 26 Jan 1950: 23. </ref>

== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

Revision as of 03:17, 15 September 2019

Queen for a Day
Theatrical release poster
Directed byArthur Lubin
Screenplay bySeton I. Miller
Story byFaith Baldwin
John Ashworth
Dorothy Parker
Produced byRobert Stillman
StarringJack Bailey
Jim Morgan
Fort Pearson
Melanie York
Cynthia Corley
Kay Wiley
Helen Mowery
CinematographyGuy Roe
Edited byGeorge Amy
Music byHugo Friedhofer
Production
company
Robert Stillman Productions
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
  • July 7, 1951 (1951-07-07)
Running time
107 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Queen for a Day is a 1951 American comedy film directed by Arthur Lubin and written by Seton I. Miller. The film stars Jack Bailey, Jim Morgan, Fort Pearson, Melanie York, Cynthia Corley, Kay Wiley and Helen Mowery. The film was released on July 7, 1951, by United Artists.[1][2][3]

It was a spin off of Queen for a Day, an American quiz show that aired on radio beginning in 1945 and on television, hosted by Bailey, from 1956-64.

Plot

Quiz show producer Jim Morgan reads letters from radio listeners to host Jack Bailey, telling their stories of the impact appearing as contestants on Queen for a Day had on their lives. The stories are The Gossamer World, The High Diver and Horsie.

In The Gossmaer World Marjorie Watkins writes to the show thanking them for sending a toy engine to their six year old son Pete. Pete has a rampant imagination and is always telling stories. Marjorie tells her husband Dan she is worried Pete has no friends his own age. Pete meets Charles but hits himwith a rock. Pete introduces his imaginary friend "Shun," short for "distinction," to his parents and blames Shun for his own accidents. Marjorie worries Pete will not take responsibility and Dan and he have a chat about this. Pete attends his first day at school and makes a friend, Jim, and says shun was a silly game. Pete then contracts polio. Marjorie tells the show that the train meants everything to him because it will be the only way he can get around until he walks again someday.

In The High Diver the son of immigrant parents attempts to raise money for college by doing a dangerous high dive.

Cast

Broadcast Studio

  • Jack Bailey as Jack Bailey
  • Jim Morgan as Jim Morgan
  • Fort Pearson as Ford Pearson
  • Melanie York as First Contestant
  • Cynthia Corley as Second Contestant
  • Kay Wiley as Third Contestant
  • Helen Mowery as Jan
  • Dian Fauntelle as Helena

"The Gossamer World"

"High Diver"

  • Adam Williams as Chuck
  • Kasia Orzazewski as Mrs. Nalawak
  • Ben Astar as Mr. Nalawak
  • Tracey Roberts as Peggy
  • Larry Johns as Deacon McAllister
  • Bernard Szold as Daredevil Rinaldi
  • Joan Sudlow as Mrs. McAllister
  • Grace Lenard as Mrs. Rinaldi
  • Leonard Nimoy as Chief
  • Danny Davenport as Satchelbutt
  • Madge Blake as Mrs. Kimpel

"Horsie"

Production

Queen for a Day was a popular radio quiz show in the 1940s and 1950s with an audience of five million.[4] Film rights to the show had been optioned by Seymour Nebenzal and Jesse L. Lasky but neither had exercised the option. In September 1949 Robert Stillman, a former associate of Stanley Kramer, bought the screen rights from the Raymond B Morgan advertising company.[5] Stillman had been looking to make an American anthology film along the lines of Trio (1950) and felt by using the quiz show as a framing device, "We found a commercial hook for a picture we didn't have to compromise with."[6]

Stillman was going to make the film as his first under a deal with United Artists but then decided to make The Condemned (which became The Sound of Fury) instead.[7] Queen for a Day would be the second in a proposed slate of six films.[8]

In November 1949 Seton I Miller signed to be an associate producer and to write the script.[9]

The original plan was to film four stories. In January 1950 Stillman bought the screen rights to the story "The High Diver" by John Ainsworth, which he intended use as one of the stories in the movie.[10] The same month he bought the rights to Faith Baldwin's 1948 magazine story "This Gossamer World".[11] The third story, "Horsie" was written by Dorothy Parker, was purchased in June.[12] In the end, these were the only stories used, with Miller adapting them into a script.

Lubin signed to make the film in February 1950. [13] Unlike many anthology series, one person, Lubin, directed every episode.[14]

Casting

Most of the 36 cast were relative unknowns to film, although some had theatre experience. Darren McGavin, then best known for appearing on stage in Death of a Salesman was cast in September.[15] Stillman reportedly wanted Mickey Rooney's son Mickey Rooney Jr to play a role in "This Gossamer World" but Mickey refused.[16] Adam Williams was discovered by Stillman working behind a soda counter.[17]

Filming

Filming started September 1950.[18][19]

A slightly different version of the film was made for release in France, where the quiz show was formatted differently.[20]

Reception

The film had its world premiere in Waycross Georgia because it sent in the most requests to have a premiere, per ratio.[21] The Los Angeles Times praised the "exceptionally capable" younger actors.[22]

Diabolique magazine said the third segment "was based on a story by Dorothy Parker, whose satirical point about beauty is muted in this adaptation – perhaps Lubin was too “nice” a director to do it justice. The other stories are warmly done... but put together they don’t t quite work as a movie – maybe it would’ve been better had Lubin been restricted to a 65 minute running time like in the old days."[23]

The film was released in some markets as Horsie.[24]

Stillman was meant to follow it with an adaptation of Island in the Sky written by Miller.[25]

References

  1. ^ "Queen for a Day (1951) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  2. ^ "Queen For A Day". TV Guide. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
  3. ^ QUEEN FOR A DAY Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 18, Iss. 204, (Jan 1, 1951): 327.
  4. ^ http://queenforaday.com/about.php
  5. ^ STANWYCK SIGNED FOR GABLE MOVIE: She Will Act in Metro's Film, 'To Please a Lady' -- Brown to Produce and Direct By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES. New York Times (1923-Current file); New York, N.Y. [New York, N.Y]24 Sep 1949: 9.
  6. ^ THE 'SILENT PARTNER' MAKES NOISE ON HIS OWN: Art That Pays Commercial Hook By HELEN GOULD. New York Times 22 Apr 1951: 96.
  7. ^ Feldman Settles Deal for Filming 'Streetcar;' Stillman Plans Drama Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 12 Oct 1949: B9.
  8. ^ Trilogy in Production The Christian Science Monitor 21 Sep 1950: 4.
  9. ^ MOVIE ACTORS VOTE ON UNION FOR VIDEO New York Times 15 Nov 1949: 31.
  10. ^ METRO PLANNING NEW WAR PICTURE: TO ACT IN BENEFIT By THOMAS F. BRADY Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. 25 Jan 1950: 20.
  11. ^ ROBERT YOUNG SAYS 'NO' TO ROLE IN FILM: Actor Withdraws From Lead in 'The Story of a Divorce,' Skirball-Manning Project By THOMAS F. BRADY Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. 27 Jan 1950: 28.
  12. ^ Drama: Wilde and Pat Knight Get Separate Deals Los Angeles Times 17 June 1950: 8.
  13. ^ Drama: 'All-Star Game' On Way; Lupino Has New Find; Parker Contract Ended Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 1 Feb 1950: A7.
  14. ^ Lubin Kicks About Mules; 'Show Boat' Name Under Fire Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 29 July 1951: D7.
  15. ^ 'Death of Salesman' Find Wins Break; Litvak Cast Bolstered by Germans Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 19 Sep 1950: A7.
  16. ^ Pal Takes 'When Worlds Collide' to Paramount; Heflin Film on Chart Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 10 Aug 1950: A9.
  17. ^ DARRIEUX SIGNS FOR A METRO FILM: THE NEW YORK TIMES. 15 Sep 1950: 30.
  18. ^ News of the Screen The Christian Science Monitor 29 Aug 1950: 4.
  19. ^ GOING OFF THE HIGH BOARD WITH SOL SOLOMON: Covering Up By ELIZABETH PALLETTE. New York Times 19 Nov 1950: X5.
  20. ^ Drama: Featured Actor in 'Men' Wins Star Role Abroad; Mexico Troupe Returns Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 27 June 1950: A7.
  21. ^ MOVIELAND BRIEFS Los Angeles Times 19 Mar 1951: B9.
  22. ^ 'Highway' Engrossing; 'Queen for a Day' Shows Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 15 Sep 1951: A7.
  23. ^ Vagg, Stephen (14 September 2019). "The Cinema of Arthur Lubin". Diabolique Magazine.
  24. ^ BY WAY OF REPORT: Embassy Newsreel to Adopt Large Screen Television--Other Assorted Matters By A.H. WEILER. New York Times 10 June 1951: X3.
  25. ^ STILLMAN TO MAKE NEW AVIATION FILM: Acquires Rights to 'Island in the Sky,' Gann Novel About Air Transport Command By THOMAS F. BRADY Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES. 26 Jan 1950: 23.

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