Ain't Misbehavin'
Cast & Crew
Edward Buzzell
Rory Calhoun
Piper Laurie
Jack Carson
Mamie Van Doren
Reginald Gardiner
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
Harold North, public relations director of the Post conglomerate and watchdog over the company's president, Kenneth Post, III, tells the story of how Ken's head was turned from business to pleasure: While piloting back to San Francisco from another successful business trip, Ken, a daredevil and former playboy, flies the plane under the Golden Gate Bridge, terrifying Hal. They head straight to a company board meeting, at which an inventor demonstrates his newest television attachment, which allows viewers to zoom in on individuals during live programs. Less interested in the technology than in the beautiful entertainer on the screen, Sarah Hatfield, Ken visits her nightclub immediately after work, followed by a concerned Hal. After the show, Hal goes backstage to offer Sarah a date with Ken, and once she learns that he is rich, she accepts. Sarah's frankness charms Ken, who dances with her until the club closes. Although she tries to shake off Hal, he follows the two back to Sarah's apartment, where she and Ken are both surprised by the passion of their goodnight kiss. Soon, Sarah and Ken are dating regularly, enjoying rowdy baseball games and other blue-collar entertainments. After weeks of such dates, Sarah brings Ken to eat oysters on a friend's boat, and in the moonlight he asks her to marry him. When Ken reveals his plans to Hal, his friend insists that Sarah cares only about Ken's money, but Ken will not listen. They are married in Las Vegas, and soon afterward, Ken throws a society party to introduce Sarah. There, Ken's former girl friend, Patricia Beaton, sparks Sarah's jealousy, but little else tempers her straightforwardness. While most of the guests are horrified by Sarah's ability to play pool and bar-tend, Ken's playboy cousin, Piermont Rogers, adores her. Ken has invited Sarah's chorus girl friends, and after Pat urges them all to perform, the socialites are further appalled. Later that week, Pat arranges for two sailors to make a pass at Sarah during a luncheon, and after Sarah throws food at them, the newspapers print the story on the first page. Later, Hal lectures her to become more refined or risk losing Ken's love, so Sarah hires Piermont to teach her the ways of the upper class. Soon, however, Ken is complaining to Hal that Sarah spends so much time at her art, piano and opera lessons that they no longer have any fun. One night while Sarah hosts a seminar, Ken attends a baseball game alone, and after Pat follows him there, the two stay out for hours. When he returns home, Sarah, who has watched the game on television and seen him in the audience with Pat, throws food at him, earning another front-page story. Within days, Sarah moves out and visits Hal, where she breaks down in tears and returns her diamond engagement ring. Finally realizing that she truly loves Ken, Hal rushes to repair some of the damage he has wrought, secretly informing Ken at which lodge Sarah will be staying while she awaits the divorce. Ken and Hal rush to the lodge ahead of Sarah, and there Hal turns off the heaters, hoping the freezing temperatures will force the couple to share a bed. Sarah, however, shows up with Piermont, and a furious Ken assumes she has come for a romantic tryst. Forced to stay on after her car breaks down, Sarah fights with Ken all night over the hotel's few blankets, and finally sinks into a lobby chair to sleep. Just then, Ken comes downstairs and, not realizing that Sarah can hear him, reveals to Piermont that he loves Sarah and wants only for her to be the same fun-loving rebel she has always been. Sarah races to her old nightclub, leaving word for Ken to follow her. There, he watches her perform a song about her devotion to him, and when Hal shows up later, he finds Sarah and Ken already kissing joyfully.
Director
Edward Buzzell
Cast
Rory Calhoun
Piper Laurie
Jack Carson
Mamie Van Doren
Reginald Gardiner
Barbara Britton
Dani Crayne
Carl Post
Roger Etienne
Harris Brown
Isabel Randolph
George Givot
Peter Mamakos
Leslie Gaye
Dick Ryan
Margaret Irving
Franz Roehn
Joseph Mell
Jack Daly
Nan Leslie
Alexander Campbell
William Murphy
Frank Chase
Elizabeth Slifer
Madge Blake
Russell Gaige
Jane Buchanan
Lela Bliss
Veronica Pataky
Gloria Ann Simpson
Sara Taft
Lillian Culver
Carlyle Mitchell
Jean Fenwick
Mack Williams
Madelon Mitchel
Don Dillaway
Jerry Riggio
Voltaire Perkins
Harte Wayne
Paul Thierry
Helen Spring
Jameson Shade
Hal Forrest
Donald Kerr
Beth Marion
Leslie Turner
Jack Baston
Lynn Malcolm
Peggy Leon
Ella Ethridge
Jeane Wood
Norman Stevans
Mary Bayless
Crew
John A. Bolger
Harry Brooks
Sonny Burke
Edward Buzzell
Sammy Cahn
Leslie I. Carey
Wilfrid M. Cline
Sammy Fain
Devery Freeman
William Fritzsche
Russell A. Gausman
Joseph Gershenson
Alexander Golitzen
Charles Henderson
Ruby R. Levitt
Samuel Marx
Rosemary Odell
Philip Rapp
Andy Razaf
Johnnie Scott
Johnnie Scott
Lee Scott
Frank Shaw
Joan St. Oegger
Alfred Sweeney
Thomas "fats" Waller
Paul Weatherwax
Paul Francis Webster
Bud Westmore
Kenny Williams
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
Studio press materials report that Robert Carson's Cosmopolitan magazine story Third Girl from the Right, which was also the working title of the film, was originally bought as a vehicle for Lucille Ball. Later writer Edward Buzzell bought the rights and sold a screenplay based on the story to Universal. According to an August 1954 Hollywood Reporter "Rambling Reporter" item, Colleen Miller and Cathy Case were considered to play chorus girls in the film. In November 1954, another "Rambling Reporter" article stated that Lita Baron, Rory Calhoun's then wife, exited a role in the film because she did not have enough scenes with her husband.
Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States Summer July 1955
Released in United States Summer July 1955
