DON’T TELL THE WIFE

March 5, 1937

Directed by Christy Cabanne
Produced by Samuel J. Briskin and Robert Sisk 
Screenplay by Nat Perrin, based on the play Once Over Lightly by George Holland

• Filmed late November to Early December 1936 at RKO Studios

• World Premiere February 18, 1937 in New York City 

• Released wide on March 5, 1937

CAST

Lucille Ball (Annie Howell, secretary to Mr. Winthrop) this was Lucille Ball’s 34th feature film since coming to Hollywood in 1933.  

Guy Kibbee (Malcom J. Winthrop) would also appear with Lucille Ball in Joy of Living (1938).

Una Merkel (Nancy Dorsey) would be nominated for an Oscar in 1962. She previously appeared with Lucille Ball in Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back (1934).

Lynne Overman (Steven Dorsey) previously appeared with Lucille Ball in Broadway Bill (1934). 

Thurston Hall (Major Manning) appeared with Lucille Ball in Hooray for Love (1935) and The Affairs of Annabel (1938). 

Guinn Williams (Lazarus Hubert Gregory Dougal) also appeared with Lucille Ball in Muss ‘Em Up (1936). 

Frank M. Thomas (Inspector Mallory) appeared with Lucille Ball in Joy of Living and Go Chase Yourself (both 1938). 

William Demarest (Larry Tucker) was nominated for an Oscar in 1947 and an Emmy in 1968 for playing Uncle Charley on “My Three Sons”, filmed on the Desilu (formerly RKO) lot. He was seen in Fugitive Lady (1934) and Sorrowful Jones (1949) with Lucille Ball, as well as being in “The Desilu Revue” in 1959. 

Harry Tyler (Mike Callahan) would appear with Lucille Ball in Dance, Girl, Dance (1940), Sorrowful Jones (1949), and A Woman of Distinction (1950). 

George Irving (Warden) appeared with Lucille Ball in Go Chase Yourself and The Affairs of Annabel (both 1938). 

Bradley Page (Salesman Hagar) did seven films with Lucille Ball from 1933 to 1938. 

Cy Jenks aka Si Jenks (Sam Taylor) makes his only appearance with Lucille Ball. 

UNCREDITED CAST

• Alan Curtis (Second Stockbroker at Shaw & Allen) 

• Barney Furey (Tom – Sign Painter) 
• Jack Gardner (Taxi Driver) 
• Aggie Herring (Charwoman) 
• William Jackie (Rooney – Salesman) 
• Harry Jans (Martin – Salesman)
• Donald Kerr (Morton Smith – Salesman)
• Wilfred Lucas (Albert – Prison Guard) 
• Hattie McDaniel (Mamie – Nancy’s Maid)  
• Garry Owen (Motorcycle Policeman)
• Ted Thompson (Stockbroker at Shaw & Allen) 
• Charles West (Joe Hoskins)

Synopsis ~ While serving time in jail, Major Manning wins a mine in New Mexico from a fellow inmate. Upon his release, he hatches a scheme with several of his former associates to use the mine, which he believes worthless, to con rich New Yorkers. His first contact is with his old partner, Steve Dorsey, who has married a wealthy socialite, Nancy. Dorsey listens to Manning’s plan, and agrees to head up the bogus investment company, having become bored with his suburban life. In order to induce the wealthy to invest in their bogus scheme, they hire an unwitting accomplice as their head of their company, Malcolm Winthrop. Winthrop adds legitimacy to the group since he was the financial editor of newspaper in Yonkers. After they hire Winthrop, they convince Nancy to invest most of her money in the scheme.

When Winthrop starts to become suspicious of his new partners, he travels to New Mexico to physically inspect the mining operation. He discovers that contrary to what Manning believes, it is actually potentially very profitable. He convinces Nancy to fund the project, and he buys up all the outstanding shares in the mine, gaining total control. By the time Manning understands what is going on, he is shut out of the mine, which turns into a moneymaker. Dorsey is forgiven by Nancy, and the two reconcile.

TRIVIA

RKO borrowed Guy Kibbee from Warner Bros., Una Merkel from MGM, and Lynne Overman from Paramount for this film.

Hattie McDaniel, who played Mamie, Nancy’s maid, won an Academy Award for playing Mammy in Gone With the Wind (1939). Her brother Sam McDaniel became the first black actor on “I Love Lucy.” Hattie appears uncredited here, which speaks volumes about the struggle of black actors in Hollywood.

In October 1936 it was announced that Robert Sisk would be producing Once Over Lightly, from a screenplay by Nat Perrin. Fred Stone was slated to headline the cast. Constance Worth and Barbara Pepper were attached to the project the following month. In the middle of January 1937, RKO announced that the project’s name had been changed to Don’t Tell the Wife. By the beginning of February 1937, the picture was in the editing room. The National Legion of Decency rated the picture as a class A-1, making it unobjectionable for general audiences.

Overman make $15 on $200,000 worth of stocks from 1929!

Lucille Ball was cast to “boost box office value”!  In retrospect, there’s no way Gene Raymond could darken Lucille Ball’s future! 

Winthrop is the editor of a newspaper based in Yonkers, a suburb of Manhattan. Yonkers was used as a punch line on “I Love Lucy” when the locksmith says he has a key that might open the handcuffs but has to go back to his shop for it – in Yonkers! 

The subject of the stock market was handled with a light touch on “I Love Lucy” and “The Lucy Show”. 

Making money from mines was the subject of a 1968 episode of “Here’s Lucy”. 

REVIEWS

The Film Daily gave the picture a good review, calling it a good satirical comedy. They singled out Kibbee’s performance, and gave good marks to Sisk’s production, Cabanne’s direction and Wilde’s cinematography. They called the film a “Well-paced humor-filled feature whose frothy dialogue pop audiences will enjoy”.

Harrison’s Reports was less kind, calling it a “below average program picture”. They felt the comedy consisted of routine gags, and an unbelievable romantic element.

Motion Picture Daily enjoyed the film calling it an amusing comedy, despite its predictable plot. They gave good marks to Cabanne’s direction and Sisk’s production, and felt that Perrin’s dialogue was well done. In terms of the cast, they felt that Guinn Williams, Lucille Ball, Bradley Page, and William Demarest all gave good performances.