So You Won't Talk (1940 film)

Last updated
So You Won't Talk
SoYouWontTalk.poster.jpg
Lobby card for the film
Directed by Edward Sedgwick
Written by Richard Flournoy
Produced by Robert Sparks
Starring Joe E. Brown
Frances Robinson
Vivienne Osborne
Cinematography Allen Siegler
Edited by James Sweeney
Music by M. W. Stoloff
Production
company
Release date
  • October 4, 1940 (1940-10-04)(US) [1]
Running time
68 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

So You Won't Talk is a 1940 comedy directed by Edward Sedgwick, which stars Joe E. Brown in a dual role, along with Frances Robinson and Vivienne Osborne.

Contents

Plot

Cast

Reception

The Film Daily only rated the film as "fair", observing "The situations are generally amusing, but they lack the zip and power which spells concerted comedy and occasional belly-laughs." The magazine faulted the script mostly, saying that Sedgwick's "... direction keeps matters moving as best he can considering that the script and gags are none too strong or original." The felt that Brown's fans would appreciate his performance, as it was what they would expect, particularly pointing out the solid performance of Robinson. [2] Motion Picture Daily was kinder to the film, calling it the funniest film Brown had made since Elmer, the Great . They felt the picture had "considerable hilarity", and complimented the direction of Sedgwick, as well as the work of the supporting cast. [3] The Motion Picture Herald also enjoyed the picture, again calling the film the best in Brown's career since Elmer, the Great. They also felt that direction of Sedgewick, the production of Sparks, and the screenplay by Flournoy were all done well. [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master</i> 1988 film by Renny Harlin

A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master is a 1988 American fantasy slasher film directed by Renny Harlin, and is the fourth installment in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. Serving as a sequel to A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), the film follows Freddy Krueger who, following the death of Nancy Thompson and completing his revenge against the families who killed him, reappears in the dreams of Kristen Parker, Joey Crusel, and Roland Kincaid, where he uses Kristen's best friend, Alice Johnson, to gain access to new victims in order to satiate his murderous needs. The Dream Master is often popularly referred to as "the MTV Nightmare" of the franchise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">51st Academy Awards</span> Award ceremony for films of 1978

The 51st Academy Awards ceremony, organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored films released in 1978 and took place on April 9, 1979, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles, beginning at 7:00 p.m. PST / 10:00 p.m. EST. During the ceremony, AMPAS presented Academy Awards in 23 categories. The ceremony, televised in the United States by ABC, was produced by Jack Haley Jr. and directed by Marty Pasetta. Comedian and talk show host Johnny Carson hosted the show for the first time. Three days earlier, in a ceremony held at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, the Academy Awards for Technical Achievement were presented by hosts Gregory Peck and Christopher Reeve.

<i>Spite Marriage</i> 1929 film

Spite Marriage is a 1929 American silent comedy film co-directed by Buster Keaton and Edward Sedgwick and starring Keaton and Dorothy Sebastian. It is the second film Keaton made for MGM and his last silent film, although he had wanted it to be a "talkie" or full sound film. While the production has no recorded dialogue, it does feature an accompanying synchronized score and recorded laughter, applause and other sound effects in some scenes.Keaton later wrote gags for some up-and-coming MGM stars like Red Skelton, and from this film recycled many gags, some shot-for-shot, for Skelton's 1943 film I Dood It.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vivienne Osborne</span> American actress (1896–1961)

Vivienne Osborne was an American stage and film actress known for her work in Broadway theatre and in silent and sound films.

<i>Captain Caution</i> 1940 film

Captain Caution is a 1940 American adventure film directed by Richard Wallace set during the War of 1812. The film stars Victor Mature, Bruce Cabot and Alan Ladd. It was based on the novel of the same name by Kenneth Roberts. Elmer Raguse was nominated for an Academy Award for Sound Recording.

<i>White Shoulders</i> 1931 film

White Shoulders is a lost 1931 American pre-Code comedy-drama film directed by Melville W. Brown and starring Mary Astor and Jack Holt, with major supporting roles by Ricardo Cortez and Sidney Toler. The film was produced and distributed by RKO Pictures. The screenplay by Jane Murfin and J. Walter Ruben was adapted from Rex Beach's short story, The Recoil.

<i>Criminal Lawyer</i> (1937 film) 1937 American drama film directed by Christy Cabanne

Criminal Lawyer is a 1937 American drama film directed by Christy Cabanne from a screenplay by G. V. Atwater and Thomas Lennon, based on a story by Louis Stevens. The film stars Lee Tracy, Margot Grahame and Eduardo Ciannelli. RKO produced the film and premiered it on January 26, 1937, in New York City, with a national release a few days later on January 29. It was the second time Stevens' story had been used for a film, the first being 1932's State's Attorney, starring John Barrymore and Helen Twelvetrees, directed by George Archainbaud, and also produced and released by RKO.

<i>Arizona Legion</i> 1939 film

Arizona Legion is a 1939 American Western film directed by David Howard from a screenplay by Oliver Drake, based on Bernard McConville's story. Produced and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, it was released on January 20, 1939, and stars George O'Brien and Laraine Day.

<i>Cinderella Swings It</i> 1943 American comedy-drama film directed by Christy Cabanne

Cinderella Swings It is a 1943 American comedy-drama film directed by Christy Cabanne from a screenplay by Michael L. Simmons, based on short stories by Clarence Budington Kelland about small-town philanthropist Scattergood Baines. Produced and Distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, it was released on January 22, 1943, and stars Guy Kibbee and Gloria Warren. It was the last of the six films in the Scattergood Baines series and the only one without the word “Scattergood” in the title. Originally called Scattergood Swings It, the picture was renamed because the franchise was declining in popularity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frances Robinson (actress)</span> American actress (1916–1971)

Frances Robinson was an American actress.

<i>It Is the Law</i> 1924 film by J. Gordon Edwards

It Is the Law is a 1924 American silent mystery film directed by J. Gordon Edwards and starring Arthur Hohl, Herbert Heyes, and Mona Palma. It is a film adaptation of the 1922 Broadway play of the same name by Elmer Rice, itself based on a novel by Hayden Talbot. The film depicts the story of Ruth Allen (Palma), who marries Justin Victor (Heyes) over competing suitor Albert Woodruff (Hohl). Seeking revenge for this slight, Woodruff fakes his own death by killing a drifter who resembles him, and frames Victor for the murder. Woodruff attempts to renew his courtship of Allen by using an assumed identity, but she sees through his disguise. Once Victor is freed from prison, he kills Woodruff and goes free because a conviction would constitute double jeopardy.

<i>Ever Since Venus</i> 1944 film directed by Arthur Dreifuss

Ever Since Venus is a 1944 American comedy directed by Arthur Dreifuss, in his first effort for Columbia Pictures, and stars Ina Ray Hutton, Hugh Herbert, Ann Savage, and Billy Gilbert. It was Hutton's first major film role; she had become famous for her all-female band during the 1930s, which had been the inspiration for the band in Billy Wilder's 1959 film, Some Like It Hot.

<i>Cafe Hostess</i> 1940 film by Sidney Salkow

Cafe Hostess is a 1940 American crime film directed by Sidney Salkow and starring Preston Foster and Ann Dvorak. The screenplay was written by Harold Shumate, based on a story by Tay Garnett and Howard Higgin. Prior to filming the studio had been warned by the MPAA that the film did not comply with its code, but it is unclear whether changes were made to the script.

<i>Daring Young Man</i> 1942 film directed by Frank R. Strayer

Daring Young Man is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Frank R. Strayer, which stars Joe E. Brown, Marguerite Chapman, and William Wright. Brown plays the dual roles of a failure turned champion bowler, Jonathan Peckinpaw, and his own grandmother. The original screenplay was written by Karen DeWolf and Connie Lee. The supporting cast features Claire Dodd, Lloyd Bridges, and a cameo appearance by Arthur Lake as Dagwood Bumstead.

<i>Behind the Mike</i> (film) 1937 American comedy film directed by Sidney Salkow

Behind the Mike is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Sidney Salkow, which stars William Gargan, Judith Barrett, Don Wilson, and Sterling Holloway. The screenplay was written by Barry Trivers from a story by Thomas Ahearn and Walton Butterfield. The film was released on September 26, 1937.

An Enemy Of Men is a 1925 American silent melodrama film directed by Frank R. Strayer from an original script by Douglas Bronston. It stars Dorothy Revier, Cullen Landis, and Caesare Gravina, and was released by Columbia Pictures on July 1, 1925.

Champagne for Breakfast is a 1935 American comedy-drama film, directed by Melville Brown. It stars Mary Carlisle, Hardie Albright, and Joan Marsh, and was released on June 18, 1935.

The Beautiful Lie is a 1917 American silent drama film, directed by John W. Noble. It stars Frances Nelson, Harry S. Northrup, and Edward Earle, and was released on May 21, 1917. It tells the tale of a woman whose reputation is sullied, and then recovered. It received mostly positive reviews, and the performances by the three stars were all given high marks for their work, particularly Nelson. As of 2024, it is considered a lost film.

<i>Born to Fight</i> (1936 film) 1936 film directed by Charles Hutchison

Born to Fight is a 1936 American drama film directed by Charles Hutchison from a screenplay by Stephen Norris, based on the short story, "To Him Who Dares" by Peter B. Kyne. The film stars Frankie Darro, Kane Richmond, and Jack LaRue.

<i>Wild Horse Range</i> (film) 1940 American film

Wild Horse Range is a 1940 American Western film written by Carl Krusada from a story by Tom Gibson. It was directed by Raymond K. Johnson, and stars Jack Randall.

References

  1. "Film Booking Chart". Variety. September 4, 1940. p. 20. Retrieved August 19, 2017. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  2. "Reviews of the New Films". The Film Daily. October 17, 1940. p. 7. Retrieved August 19, 2017. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  3. "Feature Reviews". Motion Picture Daily. September 26, 1940. p. 3. Retrieved August 19, 2017. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  4. "Showman's Reviews of Product". Motion Picture Herald. September 28, 1940. p. 84. Retrieved August 19, 2017. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg