''Lucy Gallant'' is a 1955 American drama film directed by Robert Parrish and written by

John Lee Mahin John Lee Mahin (August 23, 1902, Evanston, Illinois – April 18, 1984, Los Angeles) was an American screenwriter and producer of films who was active in Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1960s. He was known as the favorite writer of Clark Gable a ...

and Winston Miller. The film stars Jane Wyman,

Charlton Heston Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter; October 4, 1923April 5, 2008) was an American actor and political activist. As a Hollywood star, he appeared in almost 100 films over the course of 60 years. He played Moses in the epic film ''The Ten C ...

, Claire Trevor, Thelma Ritter, William Demarest and Wallace Ford. The film was released on October 20, 1955, by

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...

. The story is based on a novella, "The Life of Lucy Gallant," by Texas-born author

Margaret Cousins Margaret Elizabeth Cousins (''née'' Gillespie, also known as Gretta Cousins; 7 November 1878 – 11 March 1954) was an Irish-Indian educationist, suffragist and Theosophist, who established All India Women's Conference (AIWC) in 1927. She was th ...

(1905-1996), published in '' Good Housekeeping'' magazine in May 1953. It was the last film Pine-Thomas Productions made at Paramount, an association that had endured since 1940.

Plot

While traveling from New York City to Mexico, the stylish Lucy Gallant is stranded by a storm in fictitious New City, Texas, where rancher Casey Cole helps find her suitable lodging. The public reaction to her fashions persuades Lucy to sell the contents of her trousseau, and she decides to stay and open a dress shop. Lucy lives at Molly Basserman's boarding house and runs her store out of Lady "Mac" MacBeth's

brothel A brothel, bordello, ranch, or whorehouse is a place where people engage in sexual activity with prostitutes. However, for legal or cultural reasons, establishments often describe themselves as massage parlors, bars, strip clubs, body rub par ...

, called the Red Derrick. She obtains a loan from banker Charlie Madden. She is courted by Casey, who learns that Lucy was jilted at the altar when her fiance found out about her father's dishonest business practices. Casey insists that she give up her business. They quarrel, and after joining the United States Army during World War II, he becomes engaged to a fashion model in Paris. But Casey soon returns to Texas to save Lucy from banker Madden's underhanded business dealings. He also salvages their romance.

Cast

* Jane Wyman as Lucy Gallant *

as Casey Cole * Claire Trevor as Lady MacBeth * Thelma Ritter as Molly Basserman * William Demarest as Charles Madden * Wallace Ford as Gus Basserman * Tom Helmore as Jim Wardman * Gloria Talbott as Laura Wilson * James Westerfield as Harry Wilson * Mary Field as Irma Wilson * Texas Governor Allan Shivers as Himself * Edith Head as Herself

Production

The film was based on a novella, "The Longest Day of the Year" (which was later turned into the novel "The Life of Lucy Gallant"). Paramount bought the screen rights and hired John Lee Mahin to adapt it. The story was set in Oklahoma but the film is set in Texas. The producers wanted Joan Crawford for the lead. Eventually the role went to Jane Wyman, who was borrowed from Warner Bros.

, who had just made ''The Far Horizons'' for Pine-Thomas, signed to play her co star. John Lee Mahin wrote the script and Robert Parrish agreed to direct. Thelma Ritter and Claire Trevor were cast in the two main support roles. Filming started August 18, 1954. Texas Governor Allan Shivers plays himself. So too does costumer Edith Head. Edith Head's designs were later sold commercially. Jody McCrea made his film debut in the picture.

References

External links

*
''Lucy Gallant''
at TCMDB
Review of film
at Variety
''Lucy Gallant''
at BFI {{Pine-Thomas 1955 films American drama films 1955 drama films Paramount Pictures films Films directed by Robert Parrish 1950s English-language films 1950s American films

Plot

Cast

Production

See also

References

External links