This Could Be the Night

Quite a bit like the recent "Cold Comfort Farm" (though with a little more dramatic weight) in that in both a plucky, well-bred young woman plunks herself down in a hostile environment, rapidly wins her difficult new companions over and quickly whips them all into shape - without so much as breaking a nail in the process. And much like that picture, this too is great fun.

The director, Robert Wise, has a terrific feel for the nightclub setting and a lot of affection for its colorful inhabitants - always the key for this sort of film working. It's delightfully lively, beautifully paced and works in some fine musical numbers as well.

Marvelous cast. I love the sly, knowing look on schoolteacher Jean Simmons' face after Tony Franciosa, playing the street smart, cynical nightclub manager, comes to her rescue by breaking up a fight in her classroom. Franciosa was an intense, unselfish actor who was great at portraying inner conflict in a natural way that served the storyline, not his ego.

The algebra test subplot (yes, algebra) is a bit of a reach, and the film seems to end somewhat prematurely, but an accomplished piece of film-making nonetheless. Leonard Maltin inaccurately describes Paul Douglas' character as a gangster when in fact, he's merely a nightclub owner who, quite understandably, comes into contact with some unsavory people.

Not quite a comedy, a drama or a musical but something of all three, "This Could Be the Night" is one of the Robert Wise movies that seems to have slipped off the radar which is a pity as it's actually very entertaining. It's certainly got a great cast. Jean Simmons is the schoolteacher who gets a part-time job as secretary to nightclub ower Paul Douglas but doesn't hit it off with his partner, Anthony Franciosa...at least initially. Five minutes in and you can see exactly where this movie is headed but a first-rate supporting cast, (Joan Blondell, the great Julie Wilson, Neile Adams, J. Carrol Naish, Rafael Campos), ensure a pleasant ride. Throw in Ray Anthony and his orchestra and some good musical numbers and what's not to like.

Jean Simmons plays Anne, a nice, sheltered girl who inexplicably gets herself a job at a nightclub with a seedy reputation. Rocco (Paul Douglas) is taken by this shy but sweet lady and hires her...even though his grouchy partner, Tony (Tony Franciosa), doesn't seem to like her...or anyone else. She is an odd fit for the place and her initial adjustment is rough...but over time she becomes invaluable and Rocco obviously is smitten with her. Well, at least obvious to everyone but Anne. This is a serious problem as Rocco is a very sweet guy and over time Anne and Tony start to fall for each other--which is obvious since they initially hate each other (a bad Hollywood cliché, I know!). How's all this to play out and what is Anne's future? And what about poor, poor Rocco?

This is Tony Franciosa's first film, and it's hard to tell since he seems very good in the film. Not surprisingly Douglas and Simmons are very good...as they usually are. Although the film has some obvious clichés, it IS enjoyable. I also liked the film's supporting cast, with the likes of Joan Blondell, J. Carroll Naish and Zasu Pitts on hand...along with some nice singing by Julie Wilson and Niele Adams (who danced a VERY sexy number). My only problem is that the big confrontation portion when Anne quits seems to be stretched out WAY too long...and shortening up the final portion of the movie would have made it even better! Still, a nice and enjoyable film that's worth your time!

THIS COULD BE THE NIGHT is an earlier effort for director Robert Wise. He does a good job in this "nightclub musical." Tony Franciosa and Jean Simmons have a great chemistry together in this, and Paul Douglas is very good as the former bootlegger with a heart of gold. There are many fine character actors in this, namely Joan Blondell, Frank Ferguson and, in one scene, Zasu Pitts. Julie Wilson smoulders in her musical numbers, and Neile Adams pops off the screen in hers. It's interesting to see an integrated school classroom here, as there weren't many seen on the screen or on television in 1957. Rafael Campos plays a bus boy who is taunted because of his middle-eastern lineage. He wants desperately to pass algebra so his Father will allow him to change his name. He does a good job here, although today, he would have to show more pride in his name, rather than try to Angelicize it. The colorful characters here are well- drawn, and we care about them. That's what makes spending a little time at the Tonic night club an enjoyable experience. I had the opportunity to see the late Julie Wilson perform in Chicago in 1999. It was while seeing her that I learned about the existence of this movie. She talked about "this little movie I appeared in" as if she had a tiny role. So I was surprised to see that she not only had a substantial part, but sings in several spots in the film, including over the opening credits. A breezy, fun musical from the end of MGMs glory days.

I happen to catch "This Could Be The Night" on TCM and loved it. I've never seen it before and wasn't disappointed in the least. It's charmingly quirky with its colorful cast of characters who inhabit the nightclub. Jean Simmons and Anthony Franciosa definitely had incredible chemistry together. The cast of characters around them held their own and were equally appealing. Unfortunately, I was called away during the last ten minutes of the movie and didn't see how it ended. Talk about bad timing! If they don't show it on TCM again, I'll have to buy it. Yes, I liked it that much. I look forward to seeing this one again very soon.