Wintertime (film)

Last updated

Wintertime
HenieWintertime.jpg
Directed by John Brahm
Written byE. Edwin Moran
Jack Jevne
Lynn Starling
Based onstory by Arthur Kober
Produced by William Le Baron
Starring Sonja Henie
Jack Oakie
Cesar Romero
Cinematography Joseph MacDonald
Glen MacWilliams
Edited by Louis R. Loeffler
Music by Leo Robin
Nacio Herb Brown
Distributed by Twentieth Century-Fox
Release date
  • September 17, 1943 (1943-09-17)
Running time
82 min.
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1.1 million (US rentals) [1]
Advertising display for Wintertime at an Australian conference of theatre managers in 1944 SLNSW 13256 Movie display advertising the film with Sonja Henie in Wintertime at conference of theatre managers taken for Laurie.jpg
Advertising display for Wintertime at an Australian conference of theatre managers in 1944

Wintertime is a 1943 Twentieth Century-Fox musical film directed by John Brahm and starring Sonja Henie and Cesar Romero. It also features Woody Herman and His Orchestra. [2] [3]

Contents

Plot

Norwegian millionaire Ostgaard (S.Z. Sakall) and his niece Nora (Sonja Henie) believe they will be staying at a posh resort in Canada, but it turns out owner Skip Hutton (Jack Oakie) and partner Freddy Austin (Cornel Wilde) are in debt and barely holding off foreclosure.

Nora schemes to get her uncle to invest in hotel improvements. She also falls for Freddy, although he's busy spending time with magazine photographer Marion Daly (Helene Reynolds), trying to gain publicity for the resort.

When more money is needed, Nora is offered a chance to skate in New York in a revue. But due to a legal technicality, she cannot enter the United States unless she is married to an American citizen, so handsome Brad Barton (Cesar Romero) gladly volunteers.

Cast

Production

In December 1941 Fox announced that Felix Jackson was writing Quota Girl as a vehicle for Sonja Henie which was meant to be made before Iceland. It was about a Norwegian girl who wants to emigrate to the US. [4] The intention was to film it after Henie's appearance at Madison Square Garden in January. [5] Filming was pushed back. In July Fox announced it would be made in October with H Humbertson directing, in color from a script by Francis Wallace. [6] In August Arthur Kober was signed to write the script. [7] In September Fox announced that filming would start in January. [8]

In October Woody Herman and His Orchestra were signed to appear in the film, replacing Glenn Miller who had joined the Army. [9]

In November Cornel Wilde was cast as Henie's leading man. [10]

In January 1943,the film was retitled Wintertime. [11] William Goetz, who was running 20th Century Fox in the absence of Darryl F. Zanuck, announced the film would be made as part of a 13-picture slate. [12]

Cornel Wilde was cast in February 1943. [13] The following month Carole Landis joined the cast. [14] Filming started 8 March. [15]

Songs

Reception

The New York Times said the film "not only lacks originality. It lacks humor, verve and color as well." [17] Filmink called it "good fun" with "great work" from Landis and Romero. [18]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sonja Henie</span> Norwegian figure skater and American film star (1912–1969)

Sonja Henie was a Norwegian figure skater and film star. She was a three-time Olympic champion in women's singles, a ten-time World champion (1927–1936) and a six-time European champion (1931–1936). Henie won more Olympic and World titles than any other ladies' figure skater. She is one of only two skaters to defend a ladies' singles Olympic title, the other being Katarina Witt, and her six European titles have only been matched by Witt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cornel Wilde</span> Hungarian-American actor and film director (1912–1989)

Cornel Wilde was a Hungarian-American actor and filmmaker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cesar Romero</span> American actor (1907–1994)

César Julio Romero Jr. was an American actor and activist. He was active in film, radio, and television for almost 60 years. His wide range of screen roles included Latin lovers, historical figures in costume dramas, characters in light domestic comedies, and the Joker on the live action Batman television series of the mid-1960s, which was included in TV Guide's 2013 list of The 60 Nastiest Villains of All Time. He was the first actor to play the character.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Laird Cregar</span> American actor (1913–1944)

Samuel Laird Cregar was an American stage and film actor. Cregar was best known for his villainous performances in films such as I Wake Up Screaming (1941), This Gun For Hire (1942) and The Lodger (1944).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chummy MacGregor</span> American jazz musician

John Chalmers MacGregor, better known as Chummy MacGregor, a musician and composer, was the pianist in The Glenn Miller Orchestra from 1936 to 1942. He composed the songs "Moon Dreams", "It Must Be Jelly ", "I Sustain the Wings", "Doin' the Jive", "Sold American", "Cutesie Pie" in 1932 with Bing Crosby and Red Standex, and "Slumber Song".

<i>Sun Valley Serenade</i> 1941 film by H. Bruce Humberstone

Sun Valley Serenade is a 1941 American musical film directed by H. Bruce Humberstone and starring Sonja Henie, John Payne, Glenn Miller, Milton Berle, and Lynn Bari. It features the Glenn Miller Orchestra as well as dancing by the Nicholas Brothers. It also features Dorothy Dandridge, performing "Chattanooga Choo Choo", which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Song, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1996, and was awarded the first Gold Record for sales of 1.2 million. Studio 20th Century Fox re-released the film in 1946 and in 1954 to tie-in with the biopic The Glenn Miller Story.

<i>Orchestra Wives</i> 1942 film by Archie Mayo

Orchestra Wives is a 1942 American musical film by 20th Century Fox starring Ann Rutherford, George Montgomery, and Glenn Miller. Lynn Bari, Carole Landis, and Cesar Romero appear in support.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roxy Theatre (New York City)</span> Former movie theater in Manhattan, New York

The Roxy Theatre was a 5,920-seat movie palace at 153 West 50th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues, just off Times Square in New York City. It was the largest movie theater ever built at the time of its construction in 1927. It opened on March 11, 1927 with the silent film The Love of Sunya starring Gloria Swanson. It was a leading Broadway film showcase through the 1950s and also noted for its lavish stage shows. It closed and was demolished in 1960.

Michael J.R. Kirby was a Canadian figure skater who competed in men's singles, and was also an actor. Later was an ice rink owner and skating coach.

<i>Iceland</i> (film) 1942 film by H. Bruce Humberstone

Iceland is a 1942 musical film released by 20th Century-Fox, directed by H. Bruce Humberstone and stars skater Sonja Henie and John Payne as a U.S. Marine posted in Iceland during World War II. The film was titled Katina in Great Britain and Marriage on Ice in Australia.

John Edward Powell Dunn was a British figure skater who competed in the 1930s. His best finish was a silver medal at the 1935 World Figure Skating Championships.

<i>Four Jills in a Jeep</i> 1944 film by William A. Seiter

Four Jills in a Jeep is a 1944 American comedy-drama musical film starring Kay Francis, Carole Landis, Martha Raye and Mitzi Mayfair as themselves, reenacting their USO tour of Europe and North Africa during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gloria Nord</span> Musical artist

Gloria Nord, born Gloria Nordskog, was an American roller skater, ice skater and pin-up girl who became known as "Sonja Henie on wheels," and "the Sonja Henie of the roller rinks." Nord was reportedly "adored by millions in the 1940s and 1950s for her balletic finesse and theatrical flamboyance."

<i>Song of the Islands</i> 1942 film by Walter Lang

Song of the Islands is a 1942 musical comedy film starring Betty Grable and Victor Mature. It was directed by Walter Lang and released through 20th Century Fox.

<i>The Countess of Monte Cristo</i> (1948 film) 1948 film by Frederick de Cordova

The Countess of Monte Cristo is a 1948 American comedy film directed by Fred de Cordova and starring Sonja Henie, Olga San Juan and Dorothy Hart. The film was distributed by Universal Pictures. It was Henie's last dramatic feature film.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victor Orsatti</span> American film producer (1905-1984)

Victor Manuel Orsatti was an American talent agent and film producer. As an agent, he represented some of the biggest stars of the 1930s and 1940s, including Judy Garland, Betty Grable, and Edward G. Robinson, as well as directors Frank Capra and George Stevens. He was credited with persuading figure skating champion Sonja Henie to move to Hollywood and become an actress after the 1936 Winter Olympics. He later became a motion picture and television producer, whose works include Flight to Hong Kong and the television series The Texan. He was also married to actress June Lang, singer/actress Marie "The Body" McDonald, and model/actress Dolores Donlon.

<i>One in a Million</i> (1936 film) 1936 film by Sidney Lanfield

One in a Million is a 1936 American musical comedy film directed by Sidney Lanfield and starring Sonja Henie, Adolphe Menjou and Don Ameche. It marked the Hollywood debut of the ice skater Henie. It was the first of a series of Twentieth Century-Fox musicals made by Henie, although she had previously made a silent film in her native Norway. The film features footage from the 1936 Winter Olympic Games.

<i>My Lucky Star</i> (1938 film) 1938 film

My Lucky Star is a 1938 American romantic comedy film. This was Norwegian ice-skating Olympic champion Sonja Henie's fourth film.

<i>Happy Landing</i> (1938 film) 1938 American musical comedy film

Happy Landing is a 1938 American musical comedy film directed by Roy Del Ruth, starring Sonja Henie, Ethel Merman, Don Ameche and Cesar Romero.

<i>Its a Pleasure</i> (film) 1945 film by William A. Seiter

It's a Pleasure! is a 1945 American Technicolor Comedy-drama musical film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Sonja Henie, Michael O'Shea and Marie McDonald.

References

  1. ↑ "Top Grossers of the Season", Variety, 5 January 1944 p 54
  2. ↑ Crowther, Bosley (September 30, 1943). "The Screen – 'Wintertime,' New Sonja Henie Skating Picture, With Jack Oakie and Cesar Romero, Makes Appearance at Roxy". The New York Times. p. 27. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
  3. ↑ Wintertime Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 10, Iss. 109, (Jan 1, 1943): 127.
  4. ↑ "Screen News Here and in Hollywood – Metro to Star Pidgeon in Film in Which He Captures Ten Nazi Generals in France – Vehicle for Sonja Henie – 6 New Pictures Open Hollywood Engagements Today – 'The King' Bill at Thalia". The New York Times. December 25, 1941. p. 32. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Of Local Origin". The New York Times. January 8, 1942. p. 29. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Screen News Here and in Hollywood – Olivia de Havilland Assigned to Leading Role in Warner's 'One More Tomorrow' – Wings for Eagle' Here – Picture Is 3,000th Film Made by Warner Brothers — Red Tanks' Held Over". The New York Times. July 31, 1942. p. 11. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Screen News Here and in Hollywood – Metro to Release Pictures in Blocks of Eight Because of 'Escape Clause' – Soviet Film Here Today – 'Moscow Strikes Back' Opens at Globe — 'A-Haunting We Will Go' in Third Week". The New York Times. August 15, 1942. p. 14. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  8. ↑ "Screen News Here and in Hollywood – Betty Hutton Will Play Texas Guinan in 'Smoothest Gal in Town,' With Alan Ladd – 'Desperate Journey' Due – Adventure at Strand Today – Kenneth Macgowan Returns to Fox Studio Soon". The New York Times. September 25, 1942. p. 24. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  9. ↑ "News From Hollywood". The New York Times. October 29, 1942. p. 19. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  10. ↑ "Drama". Los Angeles Times. November 2, 1942. p. 18.
  11. ↑ Schallert, Edwin (January 29, 1943). "Drama: Sheehan Will Produce Life of Rickenbacker". Los Angeles Times. p. 23.
  12. ↑ "Thirteen Top Productions On the Fire at Twentieth". The Washington Post. January 12, 1943. p. B6.
  13. ↑ "Wilde Wins Cinema Lead". Los Angeles Times. February 26, 1943. p. 9.
  14. ↑ Hopper, Hedda (March 11, 1943). "Screen and Stage – Looking at Hollywood". Los Angeles Times. p. 23.
  15. ↑ "News of the Screen – 'Constantinople' Will Be Made by Columbia – Cotten Leaves 'This Is the Army' – Italian Film Due Today". The New York Times. February 26, 1943. p. 17. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Wintertime at SonieHenie.net" . Retrieved November 13, 2008.
  17. ↑ Crowther, Bosley (September 30, 1943). "The Screen – 'Wintertime,' New Sonja Henie Skating Picture, With Jack Oakie and Cesar Romero, Makes Appearance at Roxy". The New York Times. p. 27. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  18. ↑ Vagg, Stephen (April 24, 2020). "I saw every Sonja Henie film so you don't have to". Filmink.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.