Daring Young Manis a 1942 Americancomedy filmdirected byFrank R. Strayer,which starsJoe E. Brown,Marguerite Chapman,andWilliam Wright.Brown plays the dual roles of a failure turned champion bowler, Jonathan Peckinpaw, and his own grandmother. The original screenplay was written byKaren DeWolfandConnie Lee.The supporting cast featuresClaire Dodd,Lloyd Bridges,and acameo appearancebyArthur LakeasDagwood Bumstead.
Daring Young Man | |
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Directed by | Frank R. Strayer |
Written by | Karen DeWolf Connie Lee |
Produced by | Robert Sparks |
Starring | Joe E. Brown Marguerite Chapman William Wright |
Cinematography | Franz F. Planer |
Edited by | Al Clark |
Music by | M. W. Stoloff John Leipold |
Production company | |
Release date |
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Running time | 73 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Plot
editJonathan Peckinpaw is a struggling proprietor of an air conditioning store. When his store is destroyed by an explosion in the shop next door, set off by Nazi spies, his failure is complete. He attempts to enlist in the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Corps. Due to his lack of physical stature, he is refused by each service. His friend, the newspaper reporter Ann Minter, attempts to help him build up his physique by taking up bowling. However, he is terrible at it. Peckinpaw's grandmother is a die-hard gambler, and introduces her grandson to Sam Long, another gambler. Unbeknownst to everyone, Long has developed a sure fire way to cheat at bowling: a radio-controlled bowling ball. He claims to be able to teach Peckinpaw how to bowl in an incredibly short period of time. Using the radio-controlled ball, Peckinpaw becomes an overnight bowling phenomenon, and Long cleans up on the gambling activity betting against him.
The Nazi spies, Hans Mueller, Karl Rankin, and Marlene Frederick, who blew up the building next to Peckinpaw's store, are attempting to signal their counterparts offshore. However, something is interfering with their short wave signals. They discover that the interference is coming from the radio signals Long uses to control the bowling ball. They befriend Long and Peckinpaw, and utilize Long's radio to send coded messages to their comrades. The FBI tracks down the signals to the bowling alley, and attempt to capture the spies. In the confusion, the spies escape, but the radio-controlled ball is revealed. The FBI rushes off after the spies, and Long quietly slips away, leaving Peckinpaw alone to deal with a hostile crowd upset over the cheating scam. They attack him and send him to the hospital.
Minter visits him in the hospital, and despises him for the cheating scam. However, Peckinpaw convinces her that he knew nothing about the radio-controlled ball, and simply thought he was bowling well. Minter eventually believes him, and helps him escape from the hospital. He knows where the spies are hiding out, and gets them to chase him, leading them directly into the custody of the FBI. Right after the spies are arrested Peckinpaw receives his orders from the War Department, requesting that he report for duty.
Cast
edit- Joe E. Brownas Jonathan Peckinpaw/Grandma
- Marguerite Chapmanas Ann Minter
- William Wrightas Sam Long
- Roger Clarkas Ted Johnson
- Claire Doddas Marlene Frederick
- Lloyd Bridgesas Hans Mueller
- Don Douglasas Karl Rankin
- Frank Sullyas Luke
- Eddie Laughtonas Fogarty
- Robert Emmett Keaneas Bowling alley manager)
- Robert Middlemassas Drummond
- Ben Carteras Pinky
- William Forrestas Bill White
- Charles Wagenheim as Fritz
- Arthur Lakeas Dagwood Bumstead (cameo appearance)
Production
editThe picture was originally titledBrownie,and production was announced in the beginning of June, naming Joe E. Brown as the star and Frank Strayer as the director.[2]By the end of June Marguerite Chapman was announced as the female lead in the film, and the title was changed toDaring Young Man.[3]Filming on the picture took place from June 24 - July 24, 1942.[1][4][5]Shortly after filming began, it was revealed that Claire Dodd had joined the cast, and Robert Sparks was producing.[6]Eddie Laughton was added to the cast in early July, as the stooge to Brown's character. Laughton had made a name for himself as a mime in vaudeville, and so had never uttered a word on stage. During the filming ofDaring Young Manalthough he appeared in 85 scenes, he once again never had a word to utter in public.[7]The production ran into difficulty using local bowling alleys to film in, as they were kept busy by off-duty defense workers. To alleviate the problem, the studio built its own bowling alley for the production.[8]By the end of August it was announced that the cast included Joe E. Brown, Marguerite Chapman, Roger Clark, William Wright, Don Douglas, Claire Dodd, Lloyd Bridges, William Forrest, Eddie Laughton, Frank Sully, Ben Carter, and Robert Middlemass. The crew of Strayer as director, Sparks as producer,Abby Berlinas assistant director, Planer as cinematographer, Clark as editor, and Lodge Cunningham in charge of sound was also announced.[9]On September 19 the release date was announced as October 8,[10]The picture was released on that date.[1]TheLegion of Decencygave the film an "A-1" rating, meaning that it was suitable for all audiences.[11]
Reception
editHarrison's Reportsgave the film a good review, especially complimenting the performance of Joe E. Brown. They felt that while the film was "silly", it was very funny.[12]TheMotion Picture Heralddid not like the film as much as Harrison's, feeling that only fans of Joe E. Brown would enjoy it. They felt the comedy routines were hackneyed, although they felt that the direction got as much out of the script and actors as it could.[13]
References
edit- ^abc"Daring Young Man: Detail View".American Film Institute. Archived fromthe originalon August 28, 2017.RetrievedAugust 27,2017.
- ^"Notes From Hollywood".Motion Picture Daily.June 10, 1942. p. 6.RetrievedSeptember 3,2017.
- ^"Notes From Hollywood".Motion Picture Daily.June 26, 1942. p. 4.RetrievedSeptember 3,2017.
- ^"Heavy Backlog Of Pictures As New Season Nears".The Film Daily.July 13, 1942. p. 7.RetrievedSeptember 3,2017.
- ^"The" Bell "Rings".Motion Picture Herald.July 4, 1942. p. 36.RetrievedSeptember 3,2017.
- ^"Program Notes From The Studios".Showmen's Trade Review.July 4, 1942. p. 28.RetrievedSeptember 3,2017.
- ^"Still Mute".Variety.July 8, 1942. p. 7.RetrievedSeptember 3,2017.
- ^"Program Notes From The Studios".Showmen's Trade Review.July 18, 1942. p. 20.RetrievedSeptember 3,2017.
- ^"The Product Lineup for 1942-1943: Columbia Pictures".The Film Daily.August 28, 1942. p. 52.RetrievedSeptember 3,2017.
- ^"Feature Booking Guide".Showmen's Trade Review.September 19, 1942. p. 26.RetrievedSeptember 3,2017.
- ^"Legion Of Decency Approves 11 Films".Motion Picture Daily.October 29, 1942. p. 7.RetrievedSeptember 3,2017.
- ^""The Daring Young Man" with Joe E. Brown and Marguerite Chapman ".Harrison's Reports.December 5, 1942. p. 195.RetrievedSeptember 3,2017.
- ^"Review: The Daring Young Man".Motion Picture Herald.December 19, 1942. p. 67.RetrievedSeptember 3,2017.