Dreamboat
Brief Synopsis
A college professor faces embarrassment when his past as a silent screen heartthrob is revealed.
Cast & Crew
Read More
Claude Binyon
Director
Clifton Webb
Thornton Sayre, formerly known as Bruce Blair and "Dreamboat"
Ginger Rogers
Gloria Marlowe
Anne Francis
Carol Sayre
Jeffrey Hunter
Bill Ainslee
Elsa Lanchester
Dr. Mathilda May Coffey
Film Details
Genre
Comedy
Release Date
Aug
1952
Premiere Information
New York opening: 25 Jul 1952; Los Angeles opening: 27 Aug 1952
Production Company
Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp.
Distribution Company
Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the serial story "Love Man" by John D. Weaver in Collier's (26 May 1950--16 Jun 1951).
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 23m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
7,497ft
(8 reels)
Synopsis
At Underhill College, English literature professor Thornton Sayre dedicates his life to academia and the rearing of his prim daughter Carol. The Sayres's austere existence is disrupted when a group of jeering college students reveal to Carol that her father was once a silent movie actor known as Bruce Blair, and that his old films, co-starring Gloria Marlowe, are shown on television. A confused Carol confronts Thornton, who admits that he was once known as "Dreamboat" because of his dashing, romantic screen persona. Thornton informs Carol that he was virtually shanghaied into becoming an actor by Gloria, a forceful diva, and that despite his great popularity, he gave up his Hollywood career to marry her late mother and teach. Thornton is horrified that his films have been revived, especially upon learning they are broadcast during The Exotic Perfume Hour , which is hosted by Gloria. When news of Thornton's former life is spread, college president Mathilda May Coffey presides over a meeting of the board, which wants Thornton to resign in order to protect the college's prestigious reputation. Thornton assures the board that he and Carol will travel to New York and force the show's producer to discontinue broadcasting his films. Mathilda then asks the board to leave any disciplinary action to her discretion, but when she is alone with Thornton, the romance-hungry Mathilda reveals that she has had a crush on "Dreamboat" for many years. Aghast, Thornton rejects Mathilda's advances and drives to New York with Carol. There, the Sayres meet Sam Levitt, the television agent who bought the Blair-Marlowe films and revived Gloria's career with them. Sam arranges for junior executive Bill Ainslee to take Carol on a tour of the city while he talks with Thornton, who is adamant that the movies be taken off the air. Sam, who has craftily arranged for publicity concerning Thornton's surprise re-appearance in public life, calls in Gloria, who joins him in urging Thornton to drop his protests. Thornton insists that the broadcasts are an invasion of his privacy, however, and threatens to sue Sam. Later, Bill brings Carol back to her hotel, and Carol realizes that the handsome Bill considers her "the museum type" rather than the fun-loving girl she would like to be. That night, Sam takes Thornton to hear Gloria sing at a nightclub, after which Gloria lies to Thornton, telling him a sad tale of her debt-ridden life. Feeling sorry for his former co-star, Thornton is about to drop his case, even though his standing as an educator will be ruined, but the next morning, he discovers that Gloria is actually very wealthy. Infuriated, Thornton files for an injunction preventing Sam from broadcasting his pictures. Meanwhile, Carol agrees to date Bill again, and later that day, accuses Thornton of turning her into an over-educated bore while he himself is besieged by female fans. That night, Carol insists on going to Bill's apartment, and there the young couple's kisses make them realize that they are perfect for each other. Back at the hotel, Mathilda arrives and throws herself at Thornton. The professor again demurs, but Mathilda wonders why, if he does not embody at least some attributes of "Dreamboat," he has not yet stopped the flow of publicity. Soon after, Thornton's invasion of privacy suit is heard in court, and using television as his evidence, Thornton proves that it is an often idiotic medium, and that his movies have been re-edited for broadcast. Thornton alleges that the re-editing, which makes it appear that he is endorsing the sponsor's perfume, has turned him into "the world's foremost nincompoop," and the judge grants the injunction. That night, as Thornton seeks to celebrate his victory with Carol, she chastises him for his snobbery, telling him that he is the talented idol of millions, and that he should pursue his movie career rather than teach. Carol also informs her father that she is staying in New York to marry Bill. Thornton is then fired by Mathilda, and dejected, he goes to the hotel bar. There, Gloria taunts him about his failures until he reveals that he has received an offer from a major movie studio. Months later, Carol and Bill snuggle in the audience as Thornton's new film, Sitty Pretty , is previewed. While the crowd roars with laughter, a smug Gloria informs Thornton that she has bought his contract and now controls his career.
Director
Claude Binyon
Director
Cast
Clifton Webb
Thornton Sayre, formerly known as Bruce Blair and "Dreamboat"
Ginger Rogers
Gloria Marlowe
Anne Francis
Carol Sayre
Jeffrey Hunter
Bill Ainslee
Elsa Lanchester
Dr. Mathilda May Coffey
Fred Clark
Sam Levitt
Paul Harvey
D. W. Harrington
Ray Collins
Timothy Stone
Helene Stanley
Mimi
Richard Garrick
Judge Bowles
George Barrows
Commandant
Jay Adler
Desk clerk
Marietta Canty
Lavinia
Laura Brooks
Mrs. Gunther
Emory Parnell
Crazy Sam, the used car salesman
Helen Hatch
Mrs. Faust
Harry Cheshire
MacIntosh
Everett Glass
George Bradley
Paul Maxey
Clarence Bornay
Sandor Szabo
Giant Arab
Leo Cleary
Court clerk
Lee Turnbull
Denham
Helen Brown
Dorothy
Al Herman
Drunk
Howard Banks
Hotel clerk
Jack Mather
Hotel detective
Matt Mattox
"Prunectar" commercial performer
Frank Radcliffe
"Prunectar" commercial performer
Gwyneth Verdon
"Prunectar" commercial performer
Robert Easton
"Penetroleum" commercial performer
Marjorie Halliday
"Penetroleum" commercial performer
Donna Lee Hickey
Cigarette girl
Richard Allan
Student
Bob Nichols
Student
Clive Morgan
French captain in old movie
Crystal Reeves
Secretary
Vici Raaf
Receptionist
Barbara Wooddell
Receptionist
Don Kohler
Photographer
Robert B. Williams
Photographer
Tony De Mario
Waiter
Joe Recht
Busboy
Victoria Horne
Waitress
Paul Kruger
Frank, doorman
Alphonse Martel
Maitre d'
Fred Graham
Bartender
Jean Corbett
Girl
Richard Karlan
Herman
Mary Treen
Herman's wife
George Barrows
Fencer
Fred Cavens
Fencer
Albert Cavens
Fencer
Steve Carruthers
Warren Mace
Crew
Duke Abrahams
Props Master
Lloyd Allen
Assistant Director
Michael Audley
Dial adv
Jean Bane
Stand-in for Anne Francis
Claude Binyon
Screenwriter
Fred Cavens
Clifton Webb's fencing instructor
James B. Clark
Film Editor
B. G. De Sylva
Composer
Doris Drought
Script Supervisor
Betty Gordon
Stand-in for Helene Stanley
Mack Gordon
Composer
Roger Heman
Sound
Al Jolson
Composer
J. C. Joseff
Costume jewlery
Clyde Kalbrunner
Clifton Webb's physical trainer
Ray Kellogg
Special Photography Effects
Milton Krasner
Director of Photography
Charles Lemaire
Wardrobe Director
Thomas Little
Set Decoration
Bernard Mayers
Orchestration
Cyril Mockridge
Music
Lionel Newman
Music Director
Ben Nye
Makeup Artist
Maurice Ransford
Art Director
Fred J. Rode
Set Decoration
Vincent Rose
Composer
Ad Schaumer
Assistant Director
Sol C. Siegel
Producer
Travilla
Costume Design
E. Clayton Ward
Sound
Harry Warren
Composer
Lyle Wheeler
Art Director
Sam Wurtzel
Unit Production Manager
Film Details
Genre
Comedy
Release Date
Aug
1952
Premiere Information
New York opening: 25 Jul 1952; Los Angeles opening: 27 Aug 1952
Production Company
Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp.
Distribution Company
Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corp.
Country
United States
Screenplay Information
Based on the serial story "Love Man" by John D. Weaver in Collier's (26 May 1950--16 Jun 1951).
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 23m
Sound
Mono
Color
Black and White
Theatrical Aspect Ratio
1.37 : 1
Film Length
7,497ft
(8 reels)
Articles
Dreamboat
A college professor faces embarrassment when his past as a silent screen heartthrob is revealed.
Dreamboat
A college professor faces embarrassment when his past as a silent screen heartthrob is revealed.
Quotes
Ham. To be or not to be.- Denham
Trivia
Notes
On 18 May 1951, Los Angeles Times reported that Henry and Phoebe Ephron would be writing the screenplay for this film. According to a July 24, 1952 item in Hollywood Reporter's "Rambling Reporter" column, Marlene Dietrich was originally offered the role of "Gloria Marlowe." Although studio publicity and Hollywood Reporter news items include the following actors in the cast, their appearance in the completed picture has not been confirmed: James Carlisle, Phil Greene, Paul Lopez, Aileen Carlyle, Carolyn Collins, Lynn Craft, Grady Galloway, John Close, John Sheffield, Jack Deery, Paul Powers, Kay Garrett, Georgia Stark, Dorothy Brown, Russ Saunders, Rush Williams, George Bruggerman, Allen Ray, Wilson Wood, Virginia Lucas, Carol Varga, Jack Barnett, Dorothy Brown, Kay Lewis, Laura Brooks, Jean Bane, Betty Gordon, Rodney Yontz, Eddie Oliver and His Orchestra, and Herman the Hermit and His Hillbillies.
Dreamboat marked the feature-film debut of actress Donna Lee Hickey, who changed her name to May Wynn, beginning with the 1954 film The Caine Mutiny. A January 23, 1952 Hollywood Reporter news item announced that Marjorie Downing had been set for a "comedy waitress" role, but Victoria Horne played the part in the finished film.
During the nightclub sequence in which "Gloria Marlowe" performs, Ginger Rogers wears a low-cut, gold evening gown that was later worn by Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and in a number of well-known publicity stills. At the end of the film, when "Thornton Sayre's" new movie is previewed, a clip from the 1948 Twentieth Century-Fox picture Sitting Pretty, which starred Clifton Webb, is shown (see AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 1941-50).
