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Saturday, August 3, 2013

This Could Be The Night (1957)

A school teacher (Jean Simmons) takes a part time job as a secretary in a nightclub to supplement her meager income. Her education and good breeding catches the fancy of the club's owner (Paul Douglas) but irritates his partner (Anthony Franciosa in his film debut). How long will it be before she breaks down his resistance? This charming romantic comedy directed by Robert Wise (was there any genre he couldn't do?) is breezy and effortless in its appeal. Part of the film's appeal is in its roster of Runyonesque supporting characters that populate the nightclub from the Middle Eastern busboy (Rafael Campos) to the dancer (Neile Adams, Mrs. Steve McQueen at the time) who really wants to cook. Simmons and Franciosa make for an attractive "opposites attract" couple and Douglas does his usual gruff act which never loses its pizzazz. With Joan Blondell, J. Carrol Naish, Julie Wilson (who sings the title song), Zasu Pitts, Tom Helmore, Vaughn Taylor, Frank Ferguson, Murvyn Vye, June Blair and Ray Anthony playing himself.

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