Red, Hot and Blue (film)

Red, Hot and Blue
Directed by John Farrow
Produced by Robert Fellows
John Farrow (uncredited)
Written by Charles Lederer (story)
Hagar Wilde
John Farrow
Starring Betty Hutton
Victor Mature
Music by Frank Loesser (songs)
Cinematography Daniel L. Fapp
Edited by Eda Warren
Production
company
A John Farrow Production
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release dates
  • September 5, 1949 (1949-09-05)
Running time
 84 minujtes
Country United States
Language English

Red, Hot and Blue is a 1949 musical comedy film starring Betty Hutton as an actress who gets mixed up with gangsters and murder. Frank Loesser wrote the songs and also acted in the film.

The film has no connection to Cole Porter's play of the same name.

Plot

Hair-Do Lempke snatches actress Eleanor Collier, believing her to be a witness to the murder of his gangster boss. Eleanor tells him her story.

While rooming with girlfriends Sandra and No-No and desperately trying to become a star, Eleanor resists the marriage proposals of theater director Danny James, her boyfriend. Her agent Charlie Baxter sets her up on a date with wealthy Alex Creek, who owns a baseball team and occasionally sponsors the careers of starlets. Alex's wife objects, dumping water on Eleanor.

A bigshot, Bunny Harris, is introduced to Eleanor and might help her career. While in his apartment, though, Bunny is gunned down and Eleanor learns from Hair-Do to her surprise that Bunny was a crook. She holds the bad guys at bay until Danny rides to the rescue.

Cast

Production

The film was originally called The Broadway Story. It was the second film from Pioneer Pictures, a recently formed independent production company. Charles Lederer wrote the script based on stories provided by such Broadway columnists as Dorothy Kilgallen, Louis Sobol, Danton Walker and Earl Wilson. It was to start filming 1 October 1948 following the production of Pioneer's first film, Kingsblood Royal, based on the novel by Sinclair Lewis.[1] Lloyd Nolan was discussed for the male lead.[2]

However Pioneer ended up selling the project to Paramount Studios in September 1948 as a vehicle for Betty Hutton. Frank Tashlin was hired to rewrite the script.[3] Robert Fellows was to produce and John Farrow to direct.[4] It was Hutton's first film in two years.[5]

The film was retitled Restless Angel. Ray Milland was going to star, but it was decided to loan him out to Fox; his role was taken by Victor Mature, who had just made Samson and Delilah for Paramount.[6] Mature and Hutton had never acted together before and Paramount hoped the novelty of this would prove attractive at the box office.[7]

The title was changed again to Red Hot and Blue.[8] Filming started 10 January 1949.[9][10]

June Havoc was cast after Betty Hutton saw her appear on stage in Rain.[11] Frank Loesser made his acting debut, as a gangster, and wrote four songs.[12]

Filming ended in March 1949.[13]

References

  1. ↑ Of Local Origin New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 01 July 1948: 18.
  2. ↑ Looking at Hollywood Hopper, Hedda. Chicago Daily Tribune (1923-1963) [Chicago, Ill] 01 Sep 1948: 25.
  3. ↑ MONOGRAM PLANS LOW-BUDGET FILMS: 51 Cheaper Pictures Are Listed for Coming Year -- Subsidiary Also Will Produce Ten By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 14 Sep 1948: 34.
  4. ↑ STUDIO BRIEFS Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 15 Sep 1948: A6.
  5. ↑ Betty Hutton, Victor Mature For New Film By Frank Daugherty. The Christian Science Monitor (1908-Current file) [Boston, Mass] 28 Jan 1949: 5.
  6. ↑ MATURE TO APPEAR WITH BETTY HUTTON: Fox Actor Will Remain on Lot at Paramount for Second Film, 'Restless Angel' By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 12 Nov 1948: 31.
  7. ↑ Hollywood Must Keep Zest to Hold Public: Henry Ginsberg of Paramount Says Defeat Talk Hurts Box Office Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 13 Feb 1949: D1.
  8. ↑ Betty Hutton, Victor Mature For New Film By Frank Daugherty. The Christian Science Monitor (1908-Current file) [Boston, Mass] 28 Jan 1949: 5.
  9. ↑ Betty Hutton Returning Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 09 Jan 1949: D3
  10. ↑ Unique Musical Feature Slated by W. R. Frank; Sweden Seeking 'Names' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 06 Dec 1948: 27.
  11. ↑ Film Editors Plan Honor for 'Alumni' Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 26 Dec 1948: D3.
  12. ↑ Of Local Origin New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 11 Jan 1949: 35.
  13. ↑ HEDY LAMARR SET FOR LEAD IN MOVIE: Actress Signed by Paramount for Role in 'Copper Canyon' -- Hughes in Film Deal By THOMAS F. BRADYSpecial to THE NEW YORK TIMES.. New York Times (1923-Current file) [New York, N.Y] 19 Feb 1949: 10.


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