Without Reservations (1946)

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  • WITHOUT RESERVATIONS


    DIRECTED BY MERVYN LeROY
    PRODUCED BY JESSE L. LASKEY/ WALTER MacEWEN
    MUSIC BY ROY WEBB
    RKO RADIO PICTURES


    Photo with the courtesy of lasbugas


    INFORMATION FROM IMDb


    Plot Summary
    Kit Madden is traveling to Hollywood, where her best-selling novel is to be filmed.
    Aboard the train, she encounters Marines Rusty and Dink, who don't know she is the author of the famous book,
    and who don't think much of the ideas it proposes. She and Rusty are greatly attracted, but she doesn't know how to deal with his disdain for the book's author.
    Summary written by Jim Beaver


    Full Cast
    Claudette Colbert .... Christopher 'Kit' Madden
    John Wayne .... Rusty Thomas
    Don DeFore .... 1st Lt. Dink Watson
    Anne Triola .... Consuela 'Connie' Callaghan
    Phil Brown .... Soldier
    Frank Puglia .... Ortega
    Thurston Hall .... Henry Baldwin
    Dona Drake .... Dolores Ortega
    Fernando Alvarado .... Mexican boy
    Charles Arnt .... Salesman
    Louella Parsons .... Herself (as Miss Louella Parsons)
    Frank Wilcox .... Jack
    Eric Alden .... Chauffeur (uncredited)
    Jose Alvarado .... Mexican boy (uncredited)
    Ernest Anderson .... Waiter (uncredited)
    Robert Anderson .... Radio announcer (uncredited)
    Lois Austin .... Congresswoman (uncredited)
    Griff Barnett .... Train conductor (uncredited)
    William 'Billy' Benedict .... Western Union Telegraph boy (uncredited)
    Lee Bennett .... Soldier (uncredited)
    Jack Benny .... Himself (uncredited)
    John Bleifer .... Coal heaver (uncredited)
    Lela Bliss .... Mrs. Bertha Randall (uncredited)
    Marilyn Buferd .... WAC (uncredited)
    Raymond Burr .... Paul Gill (uncredited)
    William Challee .... Corporal (aviator advising train porter) (uncredited)
    Tom Chatterton .... Pullman conductor (uncredited)
    Fred Coby .... French officer (uncredited)
    John Crawford .... Soldier (uncredited)
    Roger Creed .... Marine (uncredited)
    Frank Dae .... Man with book (uncredited)
    Sid Davies .... Marine (uncredited)
    Harold Davis .... Marine (uncredited)
    Dick Dickerson .... Young sailor (uncredited)
    Dudley Dickerson .... Redcap (uncredited)
    Tay Dunn .... Navy ensign (uncredited)
    George Economides .... Mexican Boy (uncredited)
    Michael Economides .... Mexican boy (uncredited)
    Charles Elmergreen .... Marine (uncredited)
    Herbert Espinosa .... Mexican boy (uncredited)
    Charles Evans .... Philip Jerome (publisher) (uncredited)
    Harry Evans .... Traveler (uncredited)
    Joel Fluellen .... Waiter in club car (uncredited)
    Jon Gilbreath .... Navy NCO (uncredited)
    June Glory .... Girl (uncredited)
    Lisa Golm .... Alma (Kit's maid) (uncredited)
    Cary Grant .... Himself (uncredited)
    Jesse Graves .... Porter (uncredited)
    Paul Gustine .... Traveler (uncredited)
    Thelma Gyrath .... WAC (uncredited)
    Charlie Hall .... Window washer (uncredited)
    Grayce Hampton .... Lois (uncredited)
    Henry Hastings .... Waiter (uncredited)
    Joe Haworth .... Marine (uncredited)
    Harry Hayden .... Harry Randall (Albuquerque hotel clerk) (uncredited)
    Hirohito .... Himself (archive footage) (uncredited)
    Harry Holman .... Gas station attendant (uncredited)
    Esther Howard .... Sarah (Book Club member) (uncredited)
    Ralph Hubbard .... Sailor (uncredited)
    Tom Hubbard .... Marine (uncredited)
    Brock Hunt .... Army lieutenant (uncredited)
    J. Louis Johnson .... Car porter (uncredited)
    Toshikazu Kase .... Himself (assists Shigemitsu) (archive footage) (uncredited)
    John Kellogg .... Reporter (uncredited)
    Cy Kendall .... Bail bondsman (uncredited)
    Jean Koehler .... Western Union operator (uncredited)
    Mervyn LeRoy .... Cameo appearance (dining with Kit) (uncredited)
    Bruce Lester .... Army lieutenant (uncredited)
    Rose Mary Lopez .... Mexican girl (uncredited)
    Leona Maricle .... Baldwin's secretary (uncredited)
    Junius Matthews .... Porter (uncredited)
    Sam McDaniel .... Freddy (club car waiter) (uncredited)
    Peter Michael .... Marine (uncredited)
    Chef Milani .... Diner captain (uncredited)
    Art Miles .... Truck driver (uncredited)
    Marvin Miller .... Louella's radio announcer (uncredited)
    Henry Mirelez .... Mexican boy (uncredited)
    Charles R. Moore .... Redcap (uncredited)
    Dolores Moran .... Herself (uncredited)
    William O'Leary .... Candy Butcher (uncredited)
    Oscar O'Shea .... Conductor (uncredited)
    Jack Parker .... Soldier (uncredited)
    Bob Pepper .... Man (uncredited)
    Lorin Raker .... Mr. Klotch (uncredited)
    Verne Richards .... Brakeman (uncredited)
    Ruth Roman .... Girl in Negligee (uncredited)
    Al Rosen .... Train mechanic (uncredited)
    Erskine Sanford .... Timothy Helgelander (liquor store proprietor) (uncredited)
    Wallace Scott .... Gas station attendant in Albuquerque (uncredited)
    Bill Shannon .... Marine (uncredited)
    Mamoru Shigemitsu .... Himself (with top hat, prepares to sign Japanese surrender) (archive footage) (uncredited)
    Robin Short .... Reporter (uncredited)
    Warren Smith .... Chauffeur (uncredited)
    Houseley Stevenson .... The turnkey (uncredited)
    Harry Strang .... Policeman (uncredited)
    Miguel Tapia .... Mexican boy (uncredited)
    Bill Udell .... Navy NCO (uncredited)
    Minerva Urecal .... Sue (Book Club member) (uncredited)
    Nanette Vallon .... Reporter (uncredited)
    Blanca Vischer .... Mexican beauty (uncredited)
    Henry Vroom .... Soldier (uncredited)
    Bob Wallace .... Marine (uncredited)
    Lee 'Lasses' White .... Marine (uncredited)
    Russ Whiteman .... Sailor (uncredited)
    Jane Wiley .... Manicurist (uncredited)
    Charles Williams .... Louis Burt (uncredited)
    Ian Wolfe .... Charlie Gibbs (reporter) (uncredited)
    Jean Wong .... Reporter (uncredited)
    Will Wright .... Pullman conductor (uncredited)


    Writing Credits
    Jane Allen novel Thanks, God! I'll Take It From Here
    Mae Livingston novel Thanks, God! I'll Take It From Here
    Andrew Solt


    Original Music
    Roy Webb


    Cinematography
    Milton R. Krasner


    Trivia
    The opening shot shows "Arrowhead" Pictures motion picture studio. This is the actual RKO Pictures Studio Building at 780 Gower Street in Hollywood, retouched with "Arrowhead" replacing the RKO signs on the building. It remains a historic structure on the corner to this day.


    "Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie on August 26, 1946 with Claudette Colbert reprising her film role.


    Goofs
    # Continuity: Just before Louella Parsons is seen in the radio studio, an exterior shot shows a building with the name NBC. But when Parsons is at the mic, it is marked ABC.


    # Revealing mistakes: The "newsreel" shows a man in a hole in the sidewalk with a shovel clearly too big for him to have used to dig the hole.


    Memorable Quotes


    Filming Locations
    RKO Studios


    Watch the Trailer


    Without Reservations

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 9 times, last by ethanedwards ().

  • Without Reservations (1946) is a comedy film starring Claudette Colbert and John Wayne,
    directed by Mervyn LeRoy, and released by RKO Radio Pictures.
    The film was adapted by Andrew Solt from the novel
    Thanks, God! I'll Take It From Here by Jane Allen and Mae Livingston.


    The opening shot shows "Arrowhead" Pictures motion picture studio.
    This is the actual RKO Radio Pictures building
    at 780 Gower Street in Hollywood, retouched with "Arrowhead"
    replacing the RKO signs on the building.
    It remains a historic structure on the corner to this day.


    Released in 1946, this frothy, little comedy, certainly does not rank
    as one of Duke's better films,but reviewers liked it, for all its flaws.
    It was not well scripted, but it captured the atmosphere,
    of the energy and joy, of America returning to peace.


    Duke was to get better at comedic roles, but in this one, it wasn't quite there..
    There was very little chemistry between he and Claudette Colbert.
    Duke seemed to lack timing in his delivery, and at times seemed wooden.
    Neither one of them wanted to make the movie, but were swayed by the choice of
    Mervyn Le Roy, as director.


    LeRoy, began a friendship with Duke from this point,
    the movie came across as a heavy-handed imitation of It Happened One Night
    Colberts, Oscar winning, big hit, of 1934.


    Well from the above, at least one fan, thought it funny.
    Duke made a fortune out of the film, but it proved mediocre as a movie.
    Inexpensive to make, it made the Variety
    list of top grossing films, finishing that year in 43rd. place,
    and made an outstanding profit for RKO.


    It was a film, that everyone, wanted to finish and move on.



    User Review

    Quote

    Author: Wayne Malin, from United States.From IMDb


    Cute comedy about a novelist (Claudette Colbert) who meets a soldier (John Wayne)
    and realizes she loves him. There's more to it than that, but that's the bare bones of the plot.
    The movie moves quickly, is VERY funny and who knew John Wayne
    could do comedy so well? Colbert beautiful and charming (as always).*
    There's also a few appearances from stars of that era. Bright, breezy...well worth seeing.

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited once, last by ethanedwards ().

  • This title is available from Amazon, for a price! Starting at $34.99, for supposedly a used VHS copy! I suspect it might be out on DVD within a year or less, for less money.


    Over at Bygone Video, it seems to be available for $16.95 plus shipping.


    I haven't seen this movie myself, but would like to someday.


    Chester :newyear:

  • The UK DVD release is in fact a region 0 (no region coding) so anyone can order this from Europe. I know Amazon.co.uk claims t's a region 2 movie but this information is wrong. The DVD is marked region 0 and I have also verified this with software.


    The price is 10 £, but I bet you can find it for less on some web sites if you do a search.


    Regards
    Popol Vuh

  • Hi all,
    I bought the Pal VHS at e-bay at very low price. I like this movie and can't agree with Keith.
    It is something strange with the memorable qoutes.
    Regards,
    Vera


  • Keith,
    These are from the "Born to the West" aka Hell Town :headbonk:
    You dislike Without Reservations that much?
    Regards,
    Vera

  • Hi Vera,


    Thanks, I put it in the wrong review,
    anyway, it's now in it's rightful place.


    No I didn't like the film that much,
    I thought it was contrived and weak,
    and the chemistry was non-existent.


    Did you click on the nice photo, now in the Biog?

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

  • Quote

    Originally posted by ethanedwards@Feb 23 2006, 11:18 PM

    Did you click on the nice photo, now in the Biog?

    [snapback]27832[/snapback]



    In the BIog? You mean the beginning of the topic - yes. It is really very nice! :rolleyes:

  • Hi Vera,


    Yes, the Photo, or little caption links
    are placed at the beginning of the Biographies.
    and indeed 'Pals of the Saddle's'
    Strangely, there no quotes, in print,
    but I am sure, between us all, we'll come up with some!

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England


  • Hi Keith,
    you got these photos from IMDB or from your own sources. I looked throw some others and found that the photo from Sands of Iwo Jima is also very good, with some other goes the covers of DVD and VHS boxes. May be some members could add to the films topics some exellent photos if they have them? Just a suggestion.
    Regards,
    Vera :rolleyes:

  • Here is one movie that certainly ranks at the bottom of John Wayne's films for me. All three main actors were at least 10 - 15 years older than the characters they were suppose to be playing. The 'aeroplane' scene on the train, where Miss Klotz is drunk is pain-inducing to watch. The jokes are forced, and the direction is sloppy. My rating of this one would be a 2/10...

  • We don't seem to own this title, so have not seen it, but it seems it has been well discussed on this board in the past.


    In any case, in this day and age, we generally prefer not to buy movies in a VHS format, but made an exception (especially it doesn't seem to be available anywhere on DVD :D ).


    So we will have to chime in on this conversation a little later, after receiving and viewing the movie.


    Chester :newyear:

  • Quote

    Originally posted by chester7777@Feb 25 2006, 05:54 AM
    . . . it seems it has been well discussed on this board in the past.

    [snapback]27922[/snapback]


    Well, perhaps not well discussed, but a few people had good things to say about it -


    post by AEC23


    another mention by AEC23 in "most underrated Duke movies"


    some interest and discussion in The Trading Post, from 2003


    Chester :newyear:

  • Hi all,
    It seems there was opposite opinions about this movie. I think it is more womans movie. And it is funny to see how literary minded woman imagine the ideal man to herself and when meet the one - Duke of course and find some things very different. I like many lines from the movie, but I had it on VHS (without subtitels), so afraid to post it to avoid mistakes.
    Regards,
    Vera :rolleyes:

  • Quote

    Originally posted by ethanedwards@Feb 23 2006, 12:18 PM
    . . . I thought . . . the chemistry was non-existent.

    [snapback]27832[/snapback]


    I think there was a chemistry there, but it got turned on and off like a water faucet, and we particularly didn't care for the way Duke's character was so easily swayed by "a new skirt" - that was disheartening.


    Quote

    Originally posted by falc04@Feb 25 2006, 04:16 AM
    The 'aeroplane' scene on the train, where Miss Klotz is drunk is pain-inducing to watch.

    [snapback]27921[/snapback]


    I would have to agree, this particular scene was wildly contrived, but I guess she had to do something to get in trouble and thrown off the train.


    Overall, we enjoyed the movie. It would probably rank a 6 out of 10 in our book.


    Chester :newyear: