Cette nuit ou jamais

The handsome wide-screen, black-and-white cinematography and '50s-nitery milieu will remind you of "Sweet Smell of Success" -- there's even a nasty Broadway gossip columnist lurking about -- and this uneven MGM musical-comedy-drama plays kind of like a defanged version of that classic. Had it been filmed on location, it might have gotten by on atmosphere, but this is strictly a soundstage Times Square hangout, and there's not much kick to the proceedings. The central quandary: Should "nice girl" Jean Simmons be taking a part-time job as a secretary in a seedy nightclub? It's not an earth-shaking issue, nor are the subplots -- a cooch dancer wants to win a bake-off, a busboy is failing algebra, etc. The denizens of the club are a raffish and likable bunch, and the point, if there is one, is about how all kinds of New Yorkers can coexist. But the Franciosa/ Simmons romance is unconvincing -- it's one of those why-don't-you-grab-her-and-kiss-her affairs, messily and predictably set up -- and the ending feels arbitrary. The main compensation: legendary chanteuse Julie Wilson, with more curves than the B&O, growling out "I'm Gonna Live Till I Die." If this club has such classy entertainment, how come it's populated by so many lowlifes?

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 is a school teacher who has just moved to New York City from New England. To make ends meet, she takes a second job as a secretary at a nightclub owned by Paul Douglas and Anthony Franciosa (in his film debut). Douglas, who hired her, is quite taken with her, but Franciosa thinks she has no business working in a nightclub and tries to get rid of her. She gradually charms her way into the fabric of the place, so by the time she and Franciosa realize they're in love, he can't get rid of her.

This is a pretty damn delightful movie. All three leads are charming and amusing, and it has a pretty wonderful supporting cast including J. Carrol Naish, Joan Blondell and Broadway star Neile Adams (the future Mrs. Steve McQueen) as a stripper who loves cooking. It's almost a semi-musical with Ray Anthony and His Orchestra playing the house band and his regular singer Julie Wilson playing a major role and singing several songs (including the title one).

This is a very entertaining film, thanks to a good script and a strong cast.

Jean Simmons stars as Anne Leeds, a native of Massachusetts who moves to the big city for her first job---teaching in an elementary school. Her search for an additional part-time job leads her to a secretarial position in a racy nightclub, where some of the staff are wont to calling her "Baby". It's a fish-out-of-water setup that really works. Despite her presumed innocence, she insinuates herself into the operation (and their hearts).

The cast is diverse and interesting. Jean Simmons feels right for this part; more than for "Guys and Dolls, though it was a similar strait-laced role. Imagine Audrey Hepburn in either role. The big surprise for me is Julie Wilson, who plays the band singer Ivy. Quite a talent.

If you want to make a game of it, try to figure out which cast members acted in these films: "Blackboard Jungle", "Annie Get Your Gun", "Executive Suite", and "Vertigo". They are all fun to watch.

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!