Laugh and cry with me
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | Laugh and cry with me |
| Original title | Riding high |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1950 |
| length | 112 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 12 |
| Rod | |
| Director | Frank Capra |
| script |
Robert Riskin Melville Shavelson Jack Rose |
| production | Frank Capra |
| music | Victor Young |
| camera |
George Barnes Ernest Laszlo |
| cut | William Hornbeck |
| occupation | |
| |
Laugh and cry with me (Original title: Riding High ) is an American comedy film with musical elements by the director Frank Capra from 1950 . The Paramount Pictures film is a remake of the film Broadway Bill directed by Frank Capra in 1934. Melville Shavelson and Jack Rose expanded the original script by Robert Riskin , which is based on the short story Strictly Confidental by Mark Hellinger , for the new film
action
Dan Brooks wants to marry Margaret Higgins, daughter of entrepreneur JL Higgins. Margaret has yet to get a divorce. Dan joins the father's cardboard box factory and is supposed to manage it. Dan is more interested in riding his racehorse Broadway Bill . Margeret's younger sister Alice is secretly in love with Dan. She supports Dan in his project.
At a dinner at the Higgins house, the family man asked Dan to part with his horse because he was not working with all his concentration for the company. Dan explains his plans for the future. He wants to marry Margaret, leave the place and do races. Margaret doesn't want to move away with Dan, but doesn't cancel the planned wedding either.
Dan and his friend Clarence White plan a race with Bill. Dan left his future father-in-law's company and paid everything back in money. So he doesn't have enough for the entry fee. Dan tries to borrow money from friends. So he meets with Professor Pettigrew and his friend Oscar in a restaurant. For his part, Pettigrew hopes Dan could lend him some money. It soon becomes clear to both of them what they are hoping for. It also becomes clear that they don't have enough money to pay for the food. So they make a mess by standing up and singing the Yale university anthem. Since many of the guests are from the university, they join in. In the chaos, Dan and Pettigrew can leave the restaurant.
It turns out that Broadway Bill wouldn't walk without his mascot. The mascot is Skeeter, a rooster. Alice brings the rooster to Dan and also lends him some money. In the evening Bill falls ill. The vet assures that Bill will be healthy again before the race, which is to take place in a week, but that he may not be ridden beforehand. Now that there is no source of income, Dan demands that he, Clarence, Pettigrew, Oscar and Alice have to raise the required $ 500 for the entry fee.
All attempts to raise money fail. Then he wants to donate blood, but is refused because he is not eating properly. Clarence tries his luck at gambling but is caught cheating. Pettigrew and Oscar place bets but quickly lose all winnings. Only Alice can contribute by bringing some of her possessions to the pawnshop. She gives Clarence the money for Dan to make him believe Clarence got the money.
Since Dan cannot pay the feed bill, the sheriff confiscates Bill the evening before the race. Dan tries to get Bill back but is arrested while trying. On race day, the bets for Bill to win are 100: 1. Hospitalized millionaire JP Chase places a small amount on Bill. When it is revealed that the millionaire is betting on Bill, others join in. The betting odds are falling quickly. Professional gamer Eddie Howard learns that Dan is in jail and that Bill cannot start. So he pays the feed bill and can buy Dan out of prison. Eddie wants to keep the betting odds from plummeting. The race favorite's jockey, Gallant Lady, has been disqualified. Eddie hired jockey Ted Williams for Bill. He tells him to lose on purpose. The Higgins family followed the race on their home TV. Even JL is excited about Bill. Bill wins the race, despite the jockey's efforts to prevent it. The horse stumbles after the race. The effort was too great that his heart gave out. At the funeral of the horse, JL appears and gives his condolences. He picks up the sad Alice.
Some time later Margaret married another man. JL announces that he wants to sell his company. At that moment Dan appears to pick up Alice. Alice joins with the blessing of her father Dan and his group. Clarence, Skeeter and Dans are two new horses. Their names are Broadway Bill II and Princess, so is Alice's nickname. They are on their way to Santa Anita. JL looks through the window after them. Then he rushes after them to come with them.
Reviews
The lexicon of international films describes the film as "a witty musical comedy that successfully combines social criticism and cinematic romance and proves to be on par with Capra's earlier film adaptation."
Bosley Crowther of the New York Times wrote in his review that the Capra project was ingenious and cheerful entertainment that was the same as the original. Due to Crosby's casual and happy personality, the new film is even a tip ahead. Crosby's lovable handling of the horse, but also of music and fellow human beings, makes up the quality of the film, which is not only amusing but also engaging.
The critics of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the USA, however, criticized the over-sentimental narrative of the weak plot, although some veterans of the theater provide amusement.
background
The premiere took place on April 12, 1950. In Germany, the film was first shown in cinemas on November 27, 1951.
Frank Capra cast his film prominently in supporting and small roles, although many of the actors were not named in the credits. For example, Oliver Hardy was not mentioned in the credits for his cameo as a man at the racetrack. In a supporting role as Johnson 's Harry Davenport seen in his last film role. Other small roles took on Snub Pollard as a spectator, Ann Doran as a nurse, Max Baer as Bertie, Clara Blandick as Mrs. Peterson, Candy Candido as a musician, Fritz Feld as a French tailor, Margaret Field as a maid, Tom Kennedy as a cheater, Phil Moore as Wetter and Kasey Rogers as a spectator.
Several actors from the original film were supposed to appear in the remake, but died before that. Therefore, the original recordings were used and inserted into the new work. This was the case with Forrester Harvey, who died in 1945, in his role as Bradshaw.
For the production design was Hans Dreier and Walter H. Tyler responsible. Sam Comer and Emile Kuri were responsible for the equipment, and Edith Head for the costume design . Wally Westmore was the makeup artist in charge, Farciot Edouart the effect artist. Cameraman John F. Seitz , who filmed the racing scenes, was not named in the credits .
Jimmy Van Heusen composed four songs for the film , the lyrics of which were written by Johnny Burke .
Broadway Bill was played by the black thoroughbred Hiland Dale , who was specially trained for the film.
Web links
- Laughing and crying with me in the Internet Movie Database (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Laugh and cry with me. In: Lexicon of International Films . Film service , accessed December 15, 2017 .
- ↑ Article in the New York Times
- ↑ Critique of the USCCB (Eng.)