TWELVE CROWDED HOURS

March 3, 1939

Directed by Lew Landers
Produced by Robert Sisk for RKO Radio Pictures
Screenplay by John Twist, story by Peter Rorick and Garrett Fort, with contributions by Joe Bigelow

Filmed in November 1938 at RKO Studios, Hollywood

World Premiere February 23, 1939 in New York City

Opened Wide Nationally on March 3, 1939

Synopsis ~ Twelve hours in the life of a newspaper investigative reporter out to get the goods on the master-minds who operate the profitable Numbers Racket in a big city. His quest is somewhat hampered by a romantic redhead, her less-than-stellar brother, a fat police detective, and henchmen with bad intentions.

CAST

Lucille Ball (Paula Sanders) this is Lucille Ball’s 44th feature film since coming to Hollywood in 1933.

Richard Dix (Nick Green) was nominated for an Oscar in 1931 for Cimarron. He also appeared with Lucille Ball in The Marines Fly High (1940).

Allan Lane (Dave Sanders) is best remembered as the voice of Mr. Ed, the horse. He appeared with Lucille Ball in Having Wonderful Time (1938) and Panama Lady (1939).

Donald MacBride (Detective Sergeant Joe Keller) appeared with Lucille Ball in six films from 1938 to 1946.

Cyrus W. Kendall (George Costain) also appeared with Lucille Ball in Next Time I Marry (1938).

John Arledge (Red) also appeared with Lucille Ball in Old Man Rhythm (1935).

Granville Bates (James McEwen) appeared in six films with Lucille Ball from 1936 to 1939.

Bradley Page (Tom Miller) appeared in seven films with Lucille Ball from 1933 to 1939.

Dorothy Lee (Thelma) makes her only appearance with Lucille Ball.

Addison Richards (Berquist) played the American Consul in “Lucy Goes To Mexico” (1958) and did four films with Lucille Ball between 1939 and 1960.

Murray Alper (Louie Allen) was seen with Lucille Ball in Winterset (1936) and Next Time I Marry (1938).

John Gallaudet (Jimmy) appeared on “I Love Lucy” in “Lucy Goes to a Rodeo” (ILL S5;E8) and “The Ricardos are Interviewed” (ILL S5;E7) both in 1955.

Joseph de Stephani (Rovitch) appeared with Lucille Ball in Joy of Living (1938).

UNCREDITED CAST

Stanley Blystone…Patrolman
Richard Clarke…Police Driver
Edmund Cobb…Pool Hall Proprietor
George Davis…Gus – French Waiter
Edgar Dearing…Second Bartender
Frank Faylen…Henchman
Eleanor Hansen…Mary – Hatcheck Girl
Mike Lally…Henchman
Dorothy Lovett…Cigarette Girl
Greta Meyer...Mrs. Rovitch
Jack O’Shea…Townsman
Emory Parnell…Doorkeeper
Jack Rice…Professor Busby
Bruce Sidney…Headwaiter
Kay Sutton…Miss Martin
Ray Turner…Redcap
Lee Van Atta…Copyboy
Anthony Warde…Jerry Miller
Blue Washington…First Bartender

THE STORY

TWELVE CROWDED HOURS begins with a shot of a street shutting down for the night – apartment blinds being pulled shut, lights turning off, and a milk bottle put out on a porch. In between that scene and the final shots of the the shades coming up and the milk bottle being brought in the next morning, newspaperman Nick Green (Richard Dix) experiences an eventful night dealing with mobster George Costain (Cy Kendall). Costain runs a numbers racket and leaves a trail of bodies in his wake.