History Is Made at Night (1937).

History Is Made at Night(1937). A romantic/drama about a love triangle. Cast: Colin Clive, Jean Arthur and Charles Boyer. Produced by Walter Wanger and directed by Frank Borzage.

The film has a very suspenseful Titanic-like ending, when the ocean liner "SS Princess Irene" (named after Jean Arthur's character) hits an iceberg on its maiden voyage. In the movie the Hindenburg, successfully completes a transatlantic trip, with her husband on board. This movie was released (USA) March 5, 1937. The Hindenburg disaster occurred on May 6, 1937. It never made that return flight to Europe.

The story begins when Irene Vail, the wife of possessive shipping magnate Bruce Vail, is about to return to her Paris hotel room when Michael, her chauffeur, comes to inform her that he has been ordered by her husband to put her in a compromising position, to force her into dropping their divorce.

Expecting to find the chauffeur and his wife in a compromising position, Bruce is surprised to find a jewel thief, there instead who demands jewelry and then kidnaps her. Once he and Irene are alone, the thief reveals that he really is Paul Dumond, one of Europe's best known headwaiters. Feeling sorry for her after overhearing her argument with Michael, he decided to pose as a jewel thief to save her from her abusive husband.

Paul takes Irene to the Chateau Bleu, where he works, the two dine and dance until morning. Meanwhile, back at the hotel, Bruce kills Michael and then tells the police that the murder was committed by Irene's lover.

When Irene returns to the hotel, she lies to Bruce and the police about her abduction, but Bruce knows that she is lying when he notices that she is wearing one of the necklaces that was claimed to have been stolen.

After the police leave, Bruce forces Irene to go to New York with him to stop the divorce by threatening to frame Paul for the murder of the chauffeur.

Paul, is heartbroken when he reads about Irene's departure in the newspapers and does not understand why she did not show up as planned.

While traveling to America, Irene tells Bruce,"You're right, Bruce. This time you're right. This time there *is* another man. You set a trap to catch me with one... and another came instead, to tell me that he loves me, and for me to tell him I love him too. And *you* did it! You did it all by yourself! Isn't that funny? Don't you think that's funny? Before he came, I never even looked at another man. But you wouldn't believe me! So you created one, and you sent him right into my arms..."

Paul, follows the couple to New York. There, Paul and his hot headed chef, Cesar find work at a Manhattan restaurant named, Victor's.

Irene is shocked to lean that Paul, has been arrested for Michael's murder. Bruce, now wants Irene to go to Paris to testify against Paul, but before they leave, Bruce takes her to Victor's for dinner, where she sees Paul, much to her relief.

Irene tears up her ticket to Paris, and walks out on Bruce and returns to Victor's, where she tells Paul the truth. Paul, cannot allow an innocent man to be punished for the murder that Bruce committed and travels back to Parison the, S.S. Princess Irene.

When, Bruce reads in the newspaper that Irene is traveling back to Paris to defend "the man of her heart," he becomes enraged.

Ignoring the radio call from the captain of the Princess Irene warning of bad weather, Bruce gives instructions for the ship to proceed at full speed. The ocean liner soon collides with an iceberg and capsizes. Will Bruce and Irene be rescued in time?

Charles Boyer, gives a very charming performance and Jean Arthur, was never more beautiful. Colin Clive, gave a very convincing performance as the jealous and obsessive husband. Boyer's and Arthur's love scenes were very romantic.

Leopoldo Antonio Carrillo (August 6, 1881 – September 10, 1961). Although he played many stereotypical Latinos parts, Leo Carrillo was from an very respected California family. His great-great grandfather, José Raimundo Carrillo (1749–1809), was an early Criollo settler of San Diego, California. His great-grandfather Carlos Antonio Carrillo (1783–1852) was Governor of Alta California (1837-38), his great-uncle, José Antonio Carrillo, was a Californio defender and three-time mayor of Los Angeles, and his paternal grandfather, Pedro Carrillo, who was educated in Boston, was a writer.

The family moved from San Diego to Los Angeles then to Santa Monica, where Carrillo's father Juan José Carrillo (1842–1916), served as the city's police chief and later the first mayor. His cousin was Broadway star William Gaxton. Proud of his heritage, Leo Carrillo wrote a book, The California I Love, published shortly before his death in 1961.

A university graduate, Leo Carrillo worked as a newspaper cartoonist for the San Francisco Examiner before turning to acting on Broadway. In Hollywood, he performed in more than 90 films, including: The Gay Desperado (1936). He is best remembered from the television series, The Cisco Kid, on which, beginning at the age of seventy, he played the sidekick Pancho, a role that he had previously played in several films. After The Cisco Kid ended production, Carrillo appeared in the episode, "Rescue at Sea" of the syndicated military drama, Men of Annapolis.

A preservationist and conservationist, Carrillo served on the California Beach and Parks commission for eighteen years and played a key role in the state's acquisition of Hearst Castle at San Simeon, the Los Angeles Arboretum, and the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

He was made a goodwill ambassador by the State Governor at the time. As a result of his service to the State, the Leo Carrillo State Park, west of Malibu on the Pacific Coast Highway, was named in his honor, and the city of Westminster, California named an elementary school after him. The Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, originally Rancho de los Kiotes, in Carlsbad, California, is a registered California Historical Site. Rancho Carrillo Trail, also in Carlsbad, is named for Leo Carrillo.

All Aboard: 5 of 5.

Shall We Dance(1937). The story is about a ballet dancer Petrov, who follows Linda Keene, across the ocean with many hilarious misunderstandings that keep the story going. A very entertaining musical with the songs: "Slap That Bass" number aboard ship, "They Can't Take That Away From Me", "They All Laughed at Christopher Columbus" and "Let's Call The Whole Thing Off." Fans of the two dancing stars will love it.

Please click here to view Shall We Dance(1937)movie review.

Anything Goes(1956). After a long running show, dancer Bill Benson, is convinced by his producer, Victor Lawrence, to team up with Ted Adams. Now, all the new partnership needs is a talented female lead. While in London, Bill watches Patsy Blair, performing in a musical and offers her the lead.

Patsy, feels that she can not take the part because her father, is wanted back in the States on tax evasion charges. Her father, lies to her saying that he no longer owes money to the Treasury Department. While in Paris, Ted has signed nightclub singer Gaby Duval, for the same role.

Each, brings their leading ladies aboard a cruise ship. Now, their problem is to decide which one will be chosen for the role. Things become complicated when the guys fall in love with each other's girl. The musical numbers are very entertaining making it a worth while film to watch.

A Night At The Opera (1935). While vacationing in Milan, wealthy Mrs. Claypool hires Otis B. Driftwood to take her to all the hot spots. While out on the town she meets opera impresario Herman Gottlieb, who wants her to hire tenor Rudolfo Lassparri for his New York opera company.

Lassparri, a man who only thinks of himself and tries to sweep Rosa off her feet, but she is in love chorus singer, Ricardo Barone. Rosa, receives an offer to go to America and does not want to leave Ricardo, until she learns that he is a stow away and is working for Driftwood.



When they dock in New York, the stowaways hide in Driftwood's hotel to avoid deportation. When Rosa and Lassparri, are getting ready to perform, Trovatore Lassparri, being stubborn refuses to sing with her. Tomasso takes over for the conductor and performs the music for, "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" while Driftwood is out selling peanuts to the crowd. When Detective Henderson arrives with the police, the stage is a shambles and Ricardo performs with Rosa.

It has comedy, music and a good cast, it maybe one of the two best Marx Brothers films, the other being "Duck Soup".

Monkey Business (1931). Four stowaways, Groucho, Harpo, Chico and Zeppo, are discovered aboard a luxury liner and are chased by Captain Corcoran and his crew. Harpo, becomes part of a Punch and Judy show and Chico and Harpo impersonate the barber. Groucho hides in gangster Alky Briggs's stateroom, where he finds Lucille, Briggs's wife, alone. Briggs, walks in and hires Groucho and Zeppo as his bodyguards. Chico and Harpo, walk into gang leader Joe Helton's room, to play a game of chess. Briggs enters Helton's room and announces his takeover of Helton's territory, but Helton has different ideas. When the ocean liner docks, the stowaways try to impersonate singer Maurice Chevalier. When a man faints, the stowaways hide in his stretcher and are carried off the ship. Later. Mary Helton is kidnapped by Briggs's men and held in the barn. Because Briggs has told Groucho of his plan, Groucho and the boys go to the barn to rescue Mary.

The funniest Marx Brothers scene, is where all four of the brothers take turns impersonating Maurice Chevalier.

All Aboard: Part 4 of 5.

Rich and Strange(1931). A British romantic comedy, directed by Alfred Hitchcock during his time in the British film industry. It was adapted by Hitchcock, his wife Alma Reville and Val Valentine from a novel by Dale Collins. The film is best known for the recreation of a full sized ship in a water tank used in the film.

The story begins one night, after a young couple receive an early inheritance and decide to take a cruise around world and live the good life. Fred, falls into alcoholism, philandering and seasickness. In spite of all this.. the over the top acting is very entertaining.

There are some wonderful Hitchcock's moments, like when two main characters are walking/talking to and a social event on a cruise ship, while the camera follows their feet and Emily's dragging her dress behind her.

Please click here to learn more about the film The Rich and Strange.

Abandon Ship(1957). The story begins as a luxury liner is destroyed by a mine, which has all the survivor's boarding a lifeboat equipped to handle 12 or 14 people. There are 27 surviving passengers, weight, rations, sanity and control are all problems that Tyrone Powers, must struggle with. Only dark/deep waters for the next 1200 miles a head of them. Will these survivors be floating out to their death, or will they be saved from their watery grave?

Tyrone Powers, performance is amazing and you will never forget him making the final decision on those that he considers "dead weight". This movie will have you sitting on the edge of your seat!

Video: The credits are a little scratchy but not the entire film.

Life Boat(1944). As a freighter is attacked by a German submarine, the passengers try to board the lifeboats. After both vessels have been sunk, journalist Connie Porter, finds herself alone in a lifeboat, it is not long after when Kovac, pulls himself aboard. Kovac, accidentally knocks Connie's camera into the sea, while pulling Stanley Garrett, into the boat. Then both men pull in nurse Alice Mackenzie, wounded Gus Smith and C. J. Rittenhouse into the lifeboat. Next to come aboard, is Connie's old friend Ritt, she is also happy to see the steward Joe Spencer, who put her in the lifeboat, who is now trying to save Mrs. Higley and her baby.

After Joe and Mrs. Higley are aboard, Alice realizes that the baby is dead. Just as everyone becomes distracted by a German, who they believe does not speak any English. Connie, translates as he claims that he is an only a seaman and is sorry for the attack. Kovac, wants to throw the German overboard, but Gus, a German-American, talks them out of it.

Soon after, Joe says a prayer as they bury the baby at sea. The next morning, they discover that Mrs. Higley has jumped overboard into the dark sea after her baby. Ritt, tries to lighten the mood by seeing what they have in the way of sea rations and handing out jobs for everyone.

When Ritt follows the German's advice about setting a course, everyone becomes suspicious who the German really is. Connie tricks the German, into revealing his true identity when she calls him Captain. Although, the German is best qualified to run the lifeboat, Kovac orders them to follow the course to Bermuda, which is the opposite of the German's. Gus's wounded leg becomes infected and after the German says that he was also a surgeon, Alice helps him as he amputates the leg. After, having gained their trust, the German, tells the others to change direction.

That night, as Sparks is steering the lifeboat, the stars show him that they are heading away from Bermuda. The next morning, Joe finds a compass that the German had secretly been using to steer them toward a German supply ship. Kovac, is about to kill the German when a huge storm hits and the German, tells them that he speaks English, brings the lifeboat safely through the storm. Unfortunately, they have lost all of their food and water and with the boat's mast gone, the German rows them toward the German ship. Gus, catches the German drinking water and he pushes Gus overboard to keep him quiet.

Later, the group realizes that Willi is sweating, Joe grabs a water bottle from the Germans shirt. The German admits that he has been drinking water. They all attack the German except Joe, who can not believe what he is seeing as they force the German overboard.

The survivors have hit a low point when Connie, who has become less selfish yells at them for being quitters. She gives Kovac her diamond bracelet to use as a lure and just as they are pulling the fish in, Joe spots a ship. The ship turns out to be German, but before it can pick them up, it is attacked by an American warship. The German ship is sunk and as the survivors wait to be rescued by the Americans. A young German sailor climbs aboard the lifeboat pointing a pistol at them. Will the American War ship get there in time?

This is an amazing film about, six people with different personalities and backgrounds. The cast includes: Tallulah Bankhead as a self centered photo-journalist, Hume Cronyn, who finds love on the lifeboat, Canada Lee as a brave steward, Walter Slezak as the German and John Hodiak, who has to keep one step ahead of Tallulah's advances.

Fun Facts:

Director Alfred Hitchcock Cameo: in "before" and "after" pictures in a newspaper advertisement for Reduco Obesity Slayer. The pictures were genuine, as he had just been on a crash diet (although not with the fictional Reduco) from 300 to 200 lbs. However, the so-called "Reduco Obesity Slayer" diet pill or potion ad seemed so real that audience called the studio and wrote letters to Alfred Hitchcock asking where could they get this product. (In Rope, a neon sign advertising "Reduco" with Hitchcock's famous silhouette is seen outside the Manhattan apartment where the film takes place.)

Seasickness hit the entire cast at one point or another, and much of the cast caught pneumonia after constant exposure to cold water, Tallulah Bankhead having suffered twice from it. Hume Cronyn almost drowned in a storm scene when he got caught under a large metal water-activator, used for making waves. Joe Peterson, a lifeguard hired especially for the production, saved him in the nick of time. Hume Cronyn also suffered from cracked ribs during the course of filming.

After she caught pneumonia, Tallulah Bankhead was given a puppy by Alfred Hitchcock for being such a good sport during the film. He had already named the dog Hitchcock. I wonder if one of these puppies is the little.. Hitchcock.

The Lady Eve(1941). After wealthy Charles Poncefort Pike, leaves a zoological expedition in the South American jungle, he boards an ocean liner headed for the East Coast.

Con artist Jean Harrington, wanting to get to know him better trips him as he leaves the dining room. Jean seduces Charlie and despite the warnings of Muggsy, they fall in love. Jean, tries to intervene in her father's card game that night, but Harrington wins $32,000 from the clueless Charlie.



Charlie, breaks off his engagement to Jean, when he learns that she and her father are famous con artists. Heartbroken, Jean wants revenge and is happy when her father shows her Charlie's check that she thought he had ripped up..

After the ship docks, the Harringtons run into another con artist Pearly at a horse race. They, come up with a plan to have her pose as Pearly's niece, Lady Eve Sidwich of England. Then the Pikes throw a party for Lady Eve, at which a socially awkward Charlie attends and is amazed how much she looks like Jean. Even though Muggsy, truly believes that Lady Eve and Jean are the same person, Charlie, insists that they are different women.

Jean and Charlie, become engaged and she continues her revenge through their wedding. She finally shares a fictional history of love affairs to her husband. Not wanting to accept his new wife's colorful past, Charlie gets off their honeymoon train, still in his pajamas and sues her for divorce. Jean, realizes that she is still in love with Charlie and wants to speak with him, but he refuses.

Jean, books passage on the same ocean liner on which Charlie is traveling and again trips him. Charlie is thrilled to see Jean, still unaware that she is also Lady Eve and when he tries to explain that he is married, she tells him that she is too...

The Lady Eve, is one of those wonderful comedies of the golden era. Some of the best scenes is when Stanwyck, shares her life story with Fonda, as they go under the train tunnel and the scenes where food keeps spilling on Fonda. Barbara Stanwyck, looks amazing in her little black, bare-midriff dress.

All Aboard!! Part 3 of 5.

April in Paris(1952), directed by David Butler. Is a musical film starring Doris Day and Ray Bolger. The story begins when chorus girl Miss Ethel 'Dynamite' Jackson, mistakenly receives an invitation from the State Department to represent the American theatre at an arts exposition in Paris, France. Unfortunately, the invitation was really meant for, Miss Ethel Barrymore. Winthrop Putnam, who sent the invitation tries to correct his mistake. That is when the adventure begins.

I loved the dance routines: "I'm Gonna Ring the Bell Tonight" and the political-themed dance with former Presidents' paintings, coming to life to dance.

The highlight of the film is when Doris Day sings, "April in Paris".

Please click here to view April In Paris(1952) movie review.

You will love Jane Powell, in in the entertaining film, Luxury Liner(1948). She is so bubbly and cute. George Brent, plays the captain of the ship and her father. Jane, wants to be with her father and she ends up as a stowaway aboard his the ship. That is when the real trouble begins.

Please click here to read Luxury Liner(1948) movie review.

New Moon(1940). Musical, directed by Robert Z. Leonard, was the sixth of eight musical films pairing Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy. It is a very charming movie and you will remember the songs forever. The story begins when Marianne de Beaumaniour, who is on her way to New Orleans from Paris to check out the plantation she inherited from her uncle. On board ship she meets Charles, Duc de Villiers, a political enemy of the king. Charles is bought by Marianne's plantation manager. Marianne soon learns of Charles', true-identity and she sets him free. Marianne, decides to sail back to Paris with the Police Captain on the ship, 'New Moon', but, they must first stop at Martinique. After Martinique, the ship is attacked by pirates. Marianne is shocked to see that Charles is the leader. That night, they are hit by a fierce storm and everyone is ship-wrecked. Now, that Charles is the leader you will have to see what happens next...

Melody Cruise(1933). A bachelor millionaire, on a cruise is protected by a friend from a bunch of Gold diggers.. There are many great one-liners, sexual innuendos and great moments. It borders on being a musical, you will also love the great choreography.

All Aboard: Part 2.

Love Affair (1939). Romantic film starring Irene Dunne and Charles Boyer and featuring Maria Ouspenskaya. It was directed by Leo McCarey, based on a story by McCarey and Mildred Cram.

Love Affair was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Writing, Original Story (Mildred Cram, Leo McCarey), Best Original Song (Buddy G. DeSylva, For the song "Wishing"), and Best Art Direction (Van Nest Polglase, Alfred Herman).

The film was remade in 1957 as An Affair to Remember with Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr, using a very similar screenplay, and in 1994 as Love Affair, starring Warren Beatty, Annette Bening, and, in her last feature film appearance, Katharine Hepburn.

French painter Michel Marnet meets American singer Terry McKay, aboard a liner crossing the Atlantic Ocean. Although, they are both already engaged, to other people, they fall in love. On a stop at Madeira, they visit Michel's grandmother Janou.



The couple promise to meet six months later on top of the Empire State Building. Unfortunately, Terry is hit by a car on her way to be reunited with Michel and is told that she may be crippled for the rest of her life. Not wanting to be a burden to Michel, she does not contact him, preferring to let him think that she had a change of heart.

They meet by accident at the theater, though Terry manages to keep her condition hidden. Michel then visits her at her apartment and finally learns the truth.

One Way Passage (1932). A romantic film starring William Powell and Kay Francis, directed by Tay Garnett. It was remade in 1940 as 'Til We Meet Again, featuring Merle Oberon and George Brent.

Escaped murderer Dan Hardesty, has traveled to Hong Kong, where he accidentally meets terminally-ill, Joan Ames.



Police Sergeant Steve Burke catches up with Dan and escorts him to a ocean liner heading back to San Francisco. On board, Dan spots Joan among the passengers and talks Steve into removing his handcuffs. Dan and Joan fall in love on the month-long cruise, not knowing the others troubles.

Two of Dan's friends are also aboard, thief Skippy and con artist "Barrel House Betty", masquerading as "Countess Barilhaus". The countess keeps Steve entertained to help Dan. Just before they reach a stop over in Honolulu, Steve has Dan put in the brig, but he escapes and goes ashore. Where he and Joan spend a wonderful day together. When they drive back to the dock, Joan feeling weak faints. Dan carries her aboard for medical help. Later, Joan's doctor tells Dan about her condition.

Meanwhile, the "countess" and the policeman fall in love and he proposes to her. She then tells him her true identity, but he still wants to marry her. As Steve and Dan get ready to leave, a steward overhears the truth and when Joan comes looking for Dan, tells her what he knows. The two lovers part for the last time without letting on they know each other's secret. Joan collapses after Dan is out of sight.

They had agreed to meet again on New Year's Eve, a month later. A bartender can not believe his eyes when two glasses on the bar break with no one around.

Now, Voyager(1942). Drama, with Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, and Claude Rains, and directed by Irving Rapper. Based on the 1941 novel of the same name by Olive Higgins Prouty.

Charlotte Vale, is repressed spinster whose life is dominated by her emotional abusive mother. Fearing Charlotte is on the verge of a nervous breakdown, her sister-in-law Lisa introduces her to psychiatrist Dr. Jaquith, who recommends she spend time in his sanatorium.

Away from her mother's control, Charlotte transforms into a beautiful woman and decides to take a cruise instead of returning home. On board ship, she meets a married man, Jeremiah Duvaux Durrance, who is very devoted to his daughter, Christine and how his devotion keeps him from divorcing his shrew of a wife.

Charlotte and Jerry, fall in love while stranded in Rio de Janeiro, after their car crashes. They miss the ship and spend five days together before Charlotte flies to Buenos Aires to rejoin the cruise. They decide it would be best not to see each other again.

When she arrives home, Charlotte's family is stunned by the dramatic changes. Her mother is determined to regain control over her daughter, but Charlotte is strong enough to keep her newly found Independence.



Charlotte becomes engaged to wealthy, widower Elliot Livingston, but after a chance meeting with Jerry, she breaks off the engagement. Her mother becomes so angry that she has a heart attack and dies. Feeling guilty, Charlotte returns to the sanatorium.

When she arrives, she meets a very unhappy Tina, who reminds her of herself. With Dr. Jaquith's permission they become fast friends and later takes her home to Boston.

Jerry and Dr. Jaquith visit them, where Jerry is delighted to see the changes in his daughter. Dr. Jaquith agrees, to allow Charlotte to keep Tina if she promises to keep her relationship with Jerry platonic. She tells Jerry that Tina is her way of being close to him. When Jerry asks her if she's happy, Charlotte tells him, "Oh, Jerry, don't let's ask for the moon. We have the stars".

That Girl from Paris (1936). Musical comedy directed by Leigh Jason. In the middle of her arranged wedding to Paul DeVry, Parisian opera star Nicole "Nikki" Martin, takes off in search of true love. While hitchhiking, Nikki meets American musician Windy McClean and makes up her mind to follow him back to New York.

Hiding her identity, Nikki stows away on the ship on which Windy and his performers, "McClean's Wildcats," are working and is later discovered in their room by a steward. Nikki is locked up and the "McClean's Wildcats," are fired.

Nikki, escapes from the ship in New York and finds the band's apartment. The men demand that Nikki leave, but she refuses until the men start undressing in front of her. The policemen are spotted outside, they allow the singer back into the apartment.

The next morning, dancer Clair Williams, Windy's girl friend, shows up with a Mr. Hammacher, who offers them a job performing at his roadhouse. They accept the offer and they all pack up and head for the city.

Nikki, becomes a singing sensation, but a jealous Clair sells her out and sends the group running once again.

To solve Nikki's problem, all of the men volunteer to marry her, then at Whammo's suggestion, they cut cards for her. When Nikki, finds out her feelings are hurt and once again becomes a run a way bride.. will they catch up with her and change her mind?

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Dodsworth(1936). Drama directed by William Wyler. Sidney Howard based on the 1929 novel of the same name by Sinclair Lewis.

Middle-aged Sam Dodsworth, owns his own car manufacturing company. His wife Fran, a shallow woman convinces him to sell his company and take her to Europe. Searching for excitement in her life, she informs Sam that she's leaving him for another man. While in Italy, Sam reunites with Edith Cortright, a divorcee he first met aboard the Queen Mary and the two fall in love. When Fran's plans to marry fall through, she joins Sam on a ship to sail back to America. He gets off the ship to find Edith after he realizes how much he is in love with her.