Wikipedia

The Big Game(1936 film)

The Big Gameis a 1936 Americansportsdrama filmdirected byGeorge Nicholls, Jr.and produced byRKO Radio Pictures,which released the film on October 9, 1936. The screenplay was written byIrwin Shaw,adapted from the 1936 novel of the same name byFrancis Wallace.The film stars Philip Huston,James Gleason,June Travis,Bruce CabotandAndy Devine.Huston (1908–1980) was a respected New York stage actor, who also had prominent roles in a number of motion pictures and, later, acted in television productions, as well.

The Big Game
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGeorge Nicholls, Jr.
Edward Killy(football scenes)
Written byIrwin Shaw
Based onThe Big Game
byFrancis Wallace
Produced byPandro S. Berman
StarringPhilip Huston
James Gleason
June Travis
Bruce Cabot
Andy Devine
CinematographyHarry Wild
Edited byFrederic Knudtson
Music byNathaniel Shilkret
Production
company
Distributed byRKO Radio Pictures
Release date
  • October 9, 1936(1936-10-09)[1]
Running time
75 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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Clark Jenkins is the star quarterback of Atlantic's college football team. He falls in love with classmate Margaret Anthony, whose father, Brad, is a newspaper sports columnist who disapproves of their romance.

A gambler and school booster, George Scott, has been discreetly giving money to Clark, as he has in the past for players like Pop, who could not have afforded to go to college otherwise. Clark's roommate and teammate, Cal Calhoun, snitches on him to Brad Anthony, who investigates and falsely concludes that Clark intends to deliberately lose a game for a payoff from gambling kingpin Blackie Dawson.

No such arrangement exists. However, with the big game against Erie coming up, Blackie kidnaps Clark to make sure Atlantic cannot win. Pop creates a distraction on the field to delay the proceedings while Margaret, George and an apologetic Cal rush to rescue Clark in time to play in the game.

Cast

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Production

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In April 1936 it was reported that RKO had purchased the rights to the serialized story,The Big Game,by Francis Wallace, which had appeared inCollier'smagazine.[2]On April 8 RKO announced that Pandro Berman would handle the producing duties.[3]Later that month RKO hired a young author,Irwin Shaw,to pen the screenplay. Shaw had just seen the successful production of his first play onBroadway,Bury the Dead.[4]In June the studio assigned Nicholls to direct, shortly after renewing his contract.[5]Also in June, it was announced that Berman would be the producer,[6]although it was initially reported that the director would beGeorge Stevens.[7]

The first casting announcement came in mid-June, when it was announced that four star football players forStanfordwould be used in the film:Jim "Monk" Moscrip,Bob "Bones" Hamilton,Keith Topping,and Frank Alustiza.[8]AnMGMcontract player, Bruce Cabot, was acquired on loan by RKO on July 1.[9]Another non-professional actor, Bobby Wilson, was hired to play one of the football players in early July. Wilson was an All-American quarterback atSouthern Methodist University.[10]By mid-July, Philip Huston was known to be starring in the film.[11]A successful stage actor, Huston would be making his film debut inThe Big Game.[12]The following day, on July 15,Barbara Pepperwas announced as having what was described as the "second female lead" in the film.[13]Within days it was announced that James Gleason, Frank M. Thomas, John Arledge and Margaret Seddon had been added to the cast. At the same time, several other All-American college football players were also listed as cast members: William Shakespeare ofNotre Dame;and Jay Berwanger ofUniversity of Chicago.[14]The female lead was filled when RKO obtained June Travers on loan fromWarner Bros.At the same time it was announced that"Big Boy" WilliamsandAndy Devinehad also been slotted to appear in the film.[15]

Principal photography on the film began on July 25.[1][16]The football sequences appearing in the film were shot at theRose Bowlin Pasadena.[17]After filming had begun, Billy Gilbert and Dick Elliot were also added to the cast.[18]In mid-August, George Offerman, Jr. and Arthur Loft were added to fill minor roles in the production.[19]On September 1, it was announced thatThe Big Gamewould be one of the first films released on the new 2,000 foot reel, which became the industry standard.[20]During production, Devine and one of the football extras were injured during filming the football sequences, necessitating several days delay in the filming of their scenes.[17]The film opened on October 9, with premieres in San Francisco, California, and Columbus, Ohio, after which it was in heavy demand by theater booking agents.[1][21][22]The film was given a Class A-1 rating by the National Legion of Decency, making it appropriate for all audiences.[23]

Reception

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Harrison's Reportsgave the film a very favorable review, calling it "very good program entertainment", and saying its comedic and action elements were excellent. While stating that the ending was predictable, in spite of that they felt it was still thrilling. They particularly highlighted the performance of Devine, and the chemistry between Huston and Travis.[24]Motion Picture Dailyalso gave the film a favorable review. They felt that the plot left something to be desired, but was more than made up for by the direction, both by Nicholls, and especially byEdward Killy,who handled the football sequences. They were positive about the acting, and also the use of real football players, and they highlighted the performances of Devine and Travis.[25]TheMotion Picture Heraldcalled the film "worthwhile entertainment", and did not have the same issue with the plot asHarrison'sandMotion Picture Daily,calling it a "well-grounded story". They also enjoyed the mixture of suspense and comedy.[26]Motion Picture Magazinewas not as impressed, giving the film only two out of a possible four "A" 's.[27]

See also

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References

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  1. ^abc"The Big Game: Detail View".American Film Institute. Archived fromthe originalon April 2, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 10,2014.
  2. ^Wilk, Ralph (April 4, 1936)."A" Little "From" Lots "".The Film Daily.p. 4.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  3. ^"Radio's Fall Footballer".Variety.April 8, 1936. p. 4.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  4. ^Wilk, Ralph (April 14, 1936)."A" Little "From Hollywood" Lots "".The Film Daily.p. 4.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  5. ^"RKO Signs Contracts With Three Directors".The Film Daily.June 20, 1936. p. 1.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  6. ^"Productions Preparing".The Film Daily.June 26, 1936. p. 13.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  7. ^"George Stevens Busy".Motion Picture Daily.June 16, 1936. p. 17.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  8. ^"Berman Gets Grid Stars".Motion Picture Daily.June 18, 1936. p. 12.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  9. ^"Radio Gets Cabot for 2".Motion Picture Daily.July 1, 1936. p. 8.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  10. ^Wilk, Ralph (July 6, 1936)."A" Little "From Hollywood" Lots "".The Film Daily.p. 8.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  11. ^"7 in Work; 7 Readying at RKO Radio Studios".The Film Daily.July 14, 1936. p. 2.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  12. ^"The Cutting Room: The Big Game".Motion Picture Herald.August 22, 1936. p. 33.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  13. ^Wilk, Ralph (July 15, 1936)."A" Little "From Hollywood" Lots "".The Film Daily.p. 16.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  14. ^Wilk, Ralph (July 17, 1936)."A" Little "From" Lots "".The Film Daily.p. 7.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  15. ^Wilk, Ralph (July 21, 1936)."A" Little "From Hollywood" Lots "".The Film Daily.p. 10.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  16. ^"Five New RKO Features Start Production in Week".The Film Daily.July 29, 1936. p. 11.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  17. ^ab"Too Realistic".Variety.September 2, 1936. p. 2.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  18. ^Wilk, Ralph (August 7, 1936)."A" Little "From Hollywood" Lots "".The Film Daily.p. 10.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  19. ^Wilk, Ralph (August 17, 1936)."A" Little "From Hollywood" Lots "".The Film Daily.p. 10.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  20. ^"First 2,000-Ft. Reel Issues".The Film Daily.September 1, 1936. p. 6.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  21. ^""Big Game" Bookings Heavy ".The Film Daily.October 19, 1936. p. 2.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  22. ^"A Calendar of Feature Releases".The Film Daily.December 18, 1936. p. 14.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  23. ^"Legion Approves 16 of 17 Pictures".Motion Picture Daily.October 12, 1936. p. 2.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  24. ^""The Big Game" with Philip Huston, Andy Devine and June Travis ".Harrison Reports.October 17, 1936. p. 167.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  25. ^"Motion Picture Daily's Hollywood Preview:" The Big Game "".Motion Picture Daily.September 26, 1936. p. 2.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  26. ^"Showmen's Review: The Big Game".Motion Picture Herald.October 3, 1936. p. 42.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
  27. ^"Tip-Off on the Talkies: The Big Game".Motion Picture Magazine.December 1936. p. 22.RetrievedSeptember 12,2015.
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