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

Frank Woodruff Frank Woodruff (1906–1983) was an American film director of the 1940s. 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), Curtain Call ...

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 Decem ...

, Helen Vinson,

Alan Mowbray Alan Mowbray MM (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 ...

and

Donald MacBride Donald Hugh MacBride (June 23, 1893 – June 21, 1957) was an American character actor on stage, in films, and on television. MacBride launched his career as a chorister at St Thomas Fifth Avenue and then at Garden City Cathedral in New Yo ...

. The film was followed by a sequel, '' Footlight Fever'', released in 1941.

Plot

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 * Helen Vinson 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's parents were Mr. and Mrs. Peter Maricle. She was a graduate of the College of In ...

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 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 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