''Curtain Call'' is a 1940 comedy, directed by

Frank Woodruff Frank Woodruff (1906–1983) was an American film director of the 1940s.Fetrow p.400 He also produced and directed a number of episodes of the television show ''The Bigelow Theatre'' in the early 1950s. Filmography * ''Curtain Call (1940 film), ...

and starring

Barbara Read Barbara French Read, also known as Barbara Reed, (December 29, 1917 – December 12, 1963) was a Canadian-American film actress of the 1930s and 1940s, who appeared in 21 films during her career. Early life Born Barbara French Read on Decembe ...

Helen Vinson Helen Vinson (born Helen Rulfs, September 17, 1907 – October 7, 1999) was an American film actress who appeared in 40 films between 1932 and 1945. Early life Vinson was born in Beaumont, Texas, the daughter of oil man Edward Rulfs. She dev ...

Alan Mowbray Alan Mowbray (born Alfred Ernest Allen; 18 August 1896 – 25 March 1969) was an English stage and film actor who found success in Hollywood. Early life Mowbray was born in London, England. He served with distinction in the British Army in W ...

and

Donald MacBride Donald Hugh MacBride (June 23, 1893 – June 21, 1957) was an American character actor on stage, in films, and on television who launched his career as a teenage singer (making several recordings in 1907) in vaudeville and went on to be an ...

. The film was followed by a sequel, ''

Footlight Fever ''Footlight Fever'' is a 1941 sequel to the 1940 comedy '' Curtain Call'', with Alan Mowbray and Donald MacBride. Plot Alan Mowbray and Donald MacBride reprise their roles as theatrical producers Donald Avery and Geoffrey 'Jeff' Crandall. This ti ...

'', released in 1941.

Synopsis

Two theatrical producers plan to get even with a demanding actress by tricking her into starring in the worst play they can find. The producer and director conspire to give the actress a dreadful role to play from the script of "The End of Everything". The plot to mislead the actress, however, backfires when she loves the role and gives a stellar performance, which turns the play into a hit.

Cast

as Helen Middleton *

as Donald Avery *

as Charlotte Morley *

as Geoffrey "Jeff" Crandall * John Archer as Ted Palmer *

Leona Maricle Leona Maricle (December 23, 1905 – March 25, 1988) was an American stage and film actress known for "distinctive characterizations of colorful ladies." Maricle was a graduate of the College of Industrial Arts. Her Broadway debut came in ''The ...

as Miss "Smitty" Smith, Crandall's secretary *

Frank Faylen Frank Faylen (born Charles Francis Ruf, December 8, 1905 – August 2, 1985) was an American film and television actor. Largely a bit player and character actor, he occasionally played more fleshed-out supporting roles during his forty-two ...

as Spike Malone *

Tom Kennedy Thomas or Tom Kennedy may refer to: Politics *Thomas Kennedy (Scottish judge) (1673–1754), joint Solicitor General for Scotland 1709–14, Lord Advocate 1714, Member of Parliament for Ayr Burghs 1720–21 * Thomas Kennedy, 9th Earl of Cassilis ...

as Massage Attendant *

Ralph Forbes Ralph Forbes (born Ralph Forbes Taylor; 30 September 1904 – 31 March 1951) was an English film and stage actor active in Britain and the United States. Early life Forbes was born in Wandsworth, London, the son of Ernest John "E.J." and Ethe ...

as Leslie Barrivale * J. M. Kerrigan as Mr. Middleton *

Ann Shoemaker Ann Shoemaker (born Anne Dorothea Shoemaker; January 10, 1891 – September 18, 1978) was an American actress who appeared in 70 films and TV movies between 1928 and 1976. She portrayed Sara Roosevelt, mother of Franklin D. Roosevelt, in b ...

as Mrs. Middleton *

Tommy Kelly Tommy Terrell Kelly (born December 27, 1980) is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Mississippi State and was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent i ...

as Fred "Freddy" Middleton

References

External links

* 1940 films 1940 romantic comedy films American romantic comedy films American black-and-white films 1940s English-language films Films scored by Roy Webb Films about actors Films about theatre RKO Pictures films Films with screenplays by Dalton Trumbo Films directed by Frank Woodruff 1940s American films English-language romantic comedy films {{romantic-comedy-film-stub