Once Upon a Time

It's been years since some TV showing, I was possibly a teen. I was utterly charmed and absorbed by the story and Cary Grant's persona helped make the story; wishing along with him for it to be a 'fairy tale' that would come true.

They could not produce a worthy remake now. This is truly a movie from a "lost America."

First, let me tell you that I haven't seen this movie for over 30 years (but remember it well). I checked the TV listings (and online services) for years waiting for it. It must not be shown often in my area. I had described the movie to friends trying to confirm the story, the title, or at the very least someone else who remembered it. No luck...

Cary Grant, as a promoter(?), who partners with a kid who owns a caterpillar that dances, but dances only to the tune of 'Yes sir, that's my baby', and charms the country. Sounds pretty incredible, doesn't it? Most people would nod at me and back away slowly, so as not to excite me, mutter-ing something about LSD trip's of the 60's and flashbacks. Seems no one heard on anything remotely like what I was describing.

But, luckily, being resourceful and having access to the IMDb, I was able to find the title and plot summary. I also was able to procure a copy of my own from a Cary Grant fan I met online. My daughter and I watched it repeatedly. It's a wonderful story for grown-ups, and a fairy tale for kids. My daughter found more laughs than I did ( I think I grew up in the meantime), but I was charmed and amused too. It was BETTER than I remembered. The redemption of Jerry Flynn (Grant) is a joy to watch.

If ever a movie was "ripe" for a re-make, this is it! My daughter's only complaint was not getting to actually see "Curly" dance. With today's state of the art effects, a believable dancing caterpillar should be child's play (and a marketing boon). A re-make would surely make "Curly" the most famous caterpillar in all of Hollywood......

PS-- I forgive Walt Disney (a brief appearance) for his complicity in the "Curly" incident......

I caught this wonderful little film toady on TCM. Well, it does star Cary Grant with support from two of Hollywood's great character actor's William Demarest and James Gleason so it's not too little. Anyway, the whole plot revolves around a child who discovers a caterpillar that dances every time he plays "Yes Sir, That's My Baby" on his harmonica. The thing is that he keeps the 'pillar in a shoebox, and anytime anyone wants to see "Curly" the caterpillar dance, they have to hold the box up to an eye and peer in. And what they see is nothing short of amazing. A true life fairy tale. The viewer, however, NEVER sees Curly dance. No doubt this was due to the lack of "appropriate" special FX of the time, but I think it works so much better. Your imagination takes over and you can't help but see Curley dance! At least I could clearly "see" it. If it were remade today, they'd HAVE TO show you Curly dancing and probably speaking as well. Kids today would feel cheated and walk out of the theater in droves. And in today's world, there'd marketing of a cute character and millions of $$$ at stake. At least I THINK he was cute because that's what I saw in my imagination. The movie is even ahead of its time in respect to marketing because Walt Disney himself greedily pursues purchasing Curley to build a live action/animated feature around. Some things will never change. You'll love the obvious, but surprise ending. Yes, that's a contradiction, but just watch it for yourself. Great fantasy film and the kind they can't make anymore, because if they did, you'd probably be disappointed because Curly just wouldn't live up to your imagination.

The silly story of a down on his luck Broadway producer and his obsession for a dancing caterpillar is greatly enhanced by the approach of director Alexander Hall and screenwriter Irving Fineman. Hall and Fineman helm the fantasy in a surprisingly straightforward, realistic manner that manages to avoid camp with just the right touch of fantastical whimsy. Further credibility is given by the strong performances of Cary Grant and James Gleason, although Janet Blair and William Demarest are forgettable in one-dimensional roles. Best of all is 11 year old child actor Ted Donaldson, who easily transcends the film's far-fetched premise and almost single-handedly makes one believe a caterpillar can dance!

This was a wonderful radio play Norman Corwin wrote for CBS Radio in the 1940s. It starred Fred Allen, and because it was during the infamous Petrillo Musician's Union Strike, the background music was vocalized by a chorus. I was charmed by it then, but felt then (and now) that the imaginative quality of the radio play would be diminished in a film. I also felt Allen would be far better than Cary Grant in the lead role. But Allen would have sold far fewer tickets.