MovieChat Forums > Beginner's Luck (1935) Discussion > Remake in the 40's/50's

Remake in the 40's/50's

posted 12 years ago by tarot400
51 replies | jump to latest

I'm tantalised by the idea of a remake of 'Beginners Luck' later on in the 40's or 50's. The basic plot would remain but the technical quality would be superior and there could be slapstick additions made.
If remade around the mid-40's I'd nominate blonde babe Virginia Mayo as Spanky's scheming mom - she was adept at playing bitches in films of the era like 'White Heat' where she was a beautiful but steely gangster's moll.
Think of the fun fashion style from that era - sexy pencil skirts and fun frilly aprons which could be incorperated into her wardrobe. And I'd like to imagine slapstcik directed at her earlier than the film's climax - surely pea shooters to the ass are obvious as are flour bombs.
Anyway, it's an interesting idea and would be great to have 2 or 3 versions of 'Beginners Luck' to compare. As for Virginia Mayo- image Google her in the Danny Kaye film, 'Wonder Man' to get the idea.
Now, if it was remade in the 1950's...how anout Hilary Brooke - Abbot and Costello's stooge from their tv show. Watch the last 5 mins of 'The Chimp' episode to see what I mean.

[–] doug78595 12 years ago

The idea of a "Beginner's Luck" remake has been here on this board since this board came into existance.Almost everyone has some idea to change or fix in a remake.Almost everyone thinks that trying to redo this materpiece would wind up ruining it.There are many ideas such as a couple of lines of added banter between the MC and Spanky's mother,starting when she says "they're laffing at him" and commencing "You can't break up that act" and her "OH NO".Most folks say 2 added lines seem to be missing from that part.Another idea when the curtain has hooked her dress that Spanky's mom has a few lines -such as " please- or oh no - or help me,not just her scream.Still another idea is to extend the time from the point her dress gets hooked till Spanky's helmut top spins buy 15 secomds and slow down the scene so everyone can enjoy it.Lastly another popular idea is to have the part when the piano player gets the peas shot into his mouth change that and make it Spanky's mother as she is behind the stage prop to get hit in her mouth with the peas.

The idea of a remake in differnt decades is very good.A 40's Virginia Mayo and a 50's Hilary Brooke have not been names i've ever heard with a remake.The earlist is the 1960's and the two names i've heard most often with a 60's remake are Stella Stevens and Pat Priest(the Munsters).Both women are blondes,have great bodies and have the kind of face that would great behind the stage prop.Later on many TV moms are the names which people bring up-Shirley Jones,Florence Henderson,Bonnie Franklin,Meredith Bater,Joanna Kearns,Patricia Heaton and Leah Remini.I personally believe having the mother played by a blonde is important but a woman with any type of hair color could play the role.I didn't even get into the 70's 80's 90's or 00's.

[–] tarot400 12 years ago

Both Virginia Mayo and Hilary Brooke were beautiful blondes, and, crucially,were adept at playing playing conniving vixens.

[–] onestooges 12 years ago

I really like your idea of maybe a remake say every 5 yrs or so.Virginia Mayo was perfect and looked great in a slip if you saw "The secret life of Walter Mitty".Hilary Brooke is fine for the 50's.Doug's answer of Stella Stevens is perfect for the mid 60's and Pat Priest is perfect for the late 60's.I would add Carol Lynley for the 60's as she was one of the most beautiful.I'd like to know what other people think of candidates for the 60's and later on too.

[–] JAYWER430 12 years ago

Carol Baker
Jayne Mansfield
Joy Lansing
Lee Meredith

[–] tarot400 12 years ago

Check out Virginia Mayo in 'Wonder Man' - she would be absolutely ideal as Spanky's MILF!

[–] steveb789 12 years ago

For the 40's you couldn't have a better pick than Virginia Mayo.
I really didn't like Hilary Brooke for the 50's i'd rather go with Christine McIntyre myself.
For the 60's Stella Stevens,Carol Baker,Carol Lynley or Pat priest are all perfect looking girls.Lee Meredith,Joy Lansing or especially Jayne Mansfield are way way too sexy and any scene where their dress was being ripped of them would probably bring the vice squad to close down production.

[–] JAYWER430 12 years ago

Good one Steve!!!

[–] tarot400 12 years ago

I'm so glad you agree with my provisional casting of Virginia Mayo for the 1940's - she has the 'glamour girl ' image but also a steeliness about her which would match the characteristics of an overly competitive parent! Her outfits in the Danny Kaye film 'Wonder Man' are also perfect for the part - she wears sharply-cut suits with tight pencil skirts, emblamatic of the 40's and formal enough for a glammed-up mother at a social function. However, she also wears a fun frilly apron in one scene which would also work as a maternal outfit.

[–] tarot400 12 years ago

For the 60's check out an actress called Jean Hale - she appeared in many tv shows of the time and one of the 'Flint' films.

[–] doug78595 12 years ago

I can't believe you brought up the name Jean Hale!Several yrs ago we were having a similar discussion on what actress from the 60's was the best to play Spanky's mother.One of the guys did a great campain bringing us photos of Jean and his second choice Inga Stevens.He had shots of their faces closeup and then full figure shots of them in dresses and a bunch of shots of both girls in slips.He then had shots of both girls looking up at their dresses from behind the prop (the shot of Jean came from her freeze sequence from Flint).Jean was absolutly gorgeous!!!!!.

[–] tarot400 12 years ago

Jean Hale has long been a favourite of mine since seeing her as the heroine in an episode of the live action 60's 'TARZAN' series. She was absolutely stunning in that and made a big impact on me at a very young age.

[–] hocman6464 12 years ago

For the 40's even though she was not a blonde, Veronica Lake and the 60's how about Nancy Kovack, she played a great bitchy snob and was stripped in a Bewitched episode, which is also one of my favorites.

[–] bigboy171975 12 years ago

I remember the Jean Hale story very well as she was stunning.I can recall her in her TV show days of McHale's navy,Bonanza,Wild wild west,Hogan's Hero's and Batman,most of these shows she had recurring roles so she could come back.He big break came with a roll in the movie"The Oscar" which seemed to propell her career.Then she peeked with "In like Flint" and "The St.Valentine's day Massacre".After these two movies she had to take time off to have a baby(Her 4th)and returned to acting in 1970 still under contract with Universal.The Studio wanted to made a major sex goddess out of her and capitalize on her looks.The studio made a deal with Playboy that Jean would pose nude.This was something that was very popular,in the 50's 60's and 70's as the young starlets tried to help their careers along by posing nude.In reality it helped some and did nothing for most.Most of the women discussed on this board tried it.Carol Baker,Carol Lynley (Twice),Jayne Mansfield(Twice),Barbara Eden,Stella Stevens(3 times).Jean had no idea her studio had agreed to this deal behind her back and was stunned when she found out.She tried to back out of the Playboy shoot but the magazine insisted they would take her to court.This was a technique they used back then and many a girl went along to avoid the hassle.Jean didn't and Playboy went away the studio dropped her contract and her acting career died.It's too bad this beauty lost out and was out of her chosen profession.

[–] freebergjason 12 years ago

Hey I came up with a name for the 60's,a stunning beauty ,not a blonde but played sophiscated intellectual WASPY types.LEE MERIWETHER,thats right the girl from that mission impossible a few months ago when I fisrt joined the board.Ypu can't say that seeing her in that short sexy slip wasn't a turn-on!

[–] doug78595 12 years ago

I've given this idea much thought and I have to say I love the idea of a 1940's "BL" with Virginia Mayo as Spanky's mom.A very beautiful woman who could play bitch roles(just watch "The best yrs.of our lives)perfectly.The 60's has so many choices it's very hard.Some like Pat Priest can be elimanated as she doesn't have the best acting skills(although she has perfect looks skills.Some Like Jayne Mansfield,Joy Lansing and Lee Meredith are way to sexy as Steve said and it would take too much away from a pure "BL" remake.When it comes to Stella Stevens we saw her portray the dumb blonde bimbo to playing a whore many times but I can't thinkof a part where she was sa stage mother type or even a bitch.Stella had the best body in the mid and late 60's and I think she was a good actress.Back a number of yrs ago we had a contest (not on this board) to find the perfect Spanky's mother.Like I had said previously this one guy submitted a photo shopped photo of Stella behind the prop which was one of the best i've ever seen and changed many a mind with it.Inger Stevens is good but not great.Carol Baker and carol Lynley are great actresses who were very beautiful and could easily pull the bitchy stage mother part off.Jean Hale is certainly beautiful and also a good actress but I'm not sure about her as I havn't seen enough of her.

[–] steveb789 12 years ago

Doug,you are a traditionist and I know you want the mother dressed in a beret,a white slip or bra and a half slip as do I in most cases of a remake.As I think this idea over and look back at the original Kitty Kelly wasn't the most beautiful woman on the planet but sure she was attractive.The list of the TV mothers you originally posted would probably do just fine.Do we need a goddess to play Spanky's mother or just a nice looking woman?

[–] tarot400 12 years ago

I'm so glad my Virginia Mayo suggestion has been greeted with so much enthusiasm. Image Google 'Virginia Mayo Wonder Man' and see how well-suited she would be clothes-wise for the role.

[–] tarot400 12 years ago

For the 1960's how about 'Bewitched' Elizabeth Montgomery...?

[–] onestooges 12 years ago

Elizabeth Montgomery is a beautiful woman but I think she falls into the same category as Pat Priest,Barbara Eden all from 60'sa TV shows where they played nicey-nice types.I'm not sure if anyone one of these could pull off that roll.

[–] onestooges 12 years ago

Hey Tarot

I read your first post and you mentioned flour bombs - what are they and how would they be used?

[–] tarot400 12 years ago

Probably to scupper Spanky's performance - it just happens that his mother gets in the firing line by mistake.

[–] onestooges 12 years ago

Since your a newbee and you mentioned updating 'Beginner's Luck" I'd like to hear what ideas for changes and things you'd take out and maybe things you'd add? I'm sure alot of other are interested in it as well.

[–] doug78595 12 years ago

There are two additional names I came up with for the 60's,both are very beautiful women but neither is an american.Elke Somer ,the german vixen who posed nude many times in Playboy and certainly did nude scenes in films in the 60's and 70's.I don't think she should be playing a mother type thou.The other is the British actress Shirley Eaton.Shirley could easily be the most beautiful of all maybe equalling Jean Hale.Lets not forget Shirley's name was mentioned in the Role Call by Jaywer as the look alike of Regina Cantwell.Shirley was another one of the names someone wanted in our campaign for a Spanky's mother.They sent in a set of pics with Shirley wearing a white half slip from one of her movies(Ten Little Indians) there were about 10 shots Shirley fixing her stocking and answering the door.

[–] onestooges 12 years ago

Shirley Eaton ---good one Doug!!!!

[–] JAYWER430 12 years ago

Doug,
Yes I started role call
No I did not mention Shirley Eaton as I am not familiar with her.

[–] tarot400 12 years ago

Shirley Eaton is a superb choice - she is ravishingly beautiful and was more than capable of playing a steely-eyed bitch - catch her performance in the episode of the 1960's Roger Moore 'Saint' series - 'Invitation to Danger'.

Regarding my ideas for plot additions to any remake of 'Beginner's Luck' I envisaged more slapstick aimed at Spanky's mother and placed earlier in the plot. I must admit only envisaging the remake with stunning Virginia Mayo - maybe the Rascals playing around with peashooters/slingshots, aiming for Spanky but mistakingly attacking Virginia who is conveniently bending over at the time.

Regarding flour bombs, the Rascals turn up at the performance determined to sabotage Spanky's monolgue with flour bombs and ink pellets - obviously Virginia would get her fair share of the bombing.

Contemporaries of Shirley Eaton I would recommend would be the actresses Annette Andre, Alexandra Bastedo and Eunice Gayson - all British actresses. Let me know what you think?

[–] tarot400 12 years ago

More thoughts on extra slapstick - I liked the earlier postings of Spanky's mother's mouth being filled with an apple at the conclusion of the short - rendering her even more helpless and humiliated.

[–] doug78595 12 years ago

I'm unfamiliar with the three british comtemporeries of Shirley Eaton.I did come up with Suzy Kendall sort of a poor man's Shirley Eaton.

Hey tarot400 if you are a Shirley Eaton fan look on this board under "Role Call" and read the stories.One of the guys tells a story of a woman he knew when he was a kid named Regina Cantwell and it really a great story I hope you will like.

[–] doug78595 12 years ago

Sorry Jaywer,It looks like I said you were the poster that mentioned Regina Cantwell.I was trying to say you(Jaywer) had started the Role Call post and on eof the posters told the story of Regina Cantwell.

[–] onestooges 12 years ago

Hey Doug I remembered the name Suzy Kendall but I didn't know what she looked like.I went to the internet and I was surprised that Suzy Kendall didn't look that much like Shirley Eaton until she did "To Sir with Love" and for a short time after.A nice looking actress but yes a poor man's Shirley Eaton but only for a short time and then she changed her looks.

[–] doug78595 12 years ago

Hi Stooges

Yes,you are right Suzy Kendall was a poor choice as I remembered her from her "To Sir with Love" days where there was a weak resembelance.

[–] freebergjason 12 years ago

Nice to see this board active again,Keep it going boys!!!!

You should tell tarot400 to not only read the role call but himself and hocman6464 should tell their stories as they seem like regular guys.

[–] tarot400 10 years ago

Jean Hale appeared in the 1960's Ron Ely 'TARZAN' series episode 'Hurricane Hotel' and spent a fair amount of time in the story physically humiliated!

[–] obo-1 12 years ago

An interesting choice of Christine McIntyre as a late 40s or early 50s Beginners Luck lead actress. She's well known for her work with the Three Stooges, in which she never suffered a wardrobe malfunction. However, she made a number of short subject films with other comedians in the Columbia studio stable. Two films "His Tale Is Told" and "The Blond Stayed on" Christine appears with Andy Clyde. She loses her skirt on a public street when Andy drives off. Christine still has her blouse on and is in a slip from the waist down She had carelessly shut the car door on the hem. In the other episode Andy pulls her dress completely over her head. Leaving her in a black slip. This was in an apartment. I could see Christine McIntyre easily in this role as Spanky's mom.

obo

[–] spankyfan2 12 years ago

Not from the 40/50's and certainly not a fan but how about Kathy Lee Gifford. Still not bad looking, great legs and certainly has an attitude I would relish seeing her get "the works" saving poor Cody.

[–] steveb789 12 years ago

I have seen the Andy Clyde short where he pulls the dress over Christine's head leaving her in the black slip.I had a reaction to it saying to myself she would be an excellent choice for Spanky's mom.

Another name is Joan Caulfield, a beautiful blonde actress of the 40's and 50's who appeared in the light comedy "The Petty Girl" and she looked great in a slip as well.

[–] doug78595 12 years ago

I would like to submit a name not for the 40's thru 60's but for the 90's and that is Michelle Pfeiffer.Some time back I was having a who would be the best candidate for the role of Spanky's mother and people came to me with the name Michelle Pfeiffer.I said she was far to flashy and glamorous to play the role of Spanky's mom.They came back saying I had to see her in a film called "One Fine Day" where a not so flashy and glammed up Pfeiffer plays a mom raising a son about the age of Spanky in "BL".I had seen the film in the movies but realized I had to see it again and check it out.I was told by people they thought her character closely resembeled Spanky's mother.I have to agree that Michelle's character is great her looks are near perfect.I wonder if anyone else agrees?

[–] JAYWER430 12 years ago

Hi Doug
I have seen that movie a few times...Michelle is one of my all time favs..
I believe there is a scene where she in a taxi and her skirt really rises...
I believe my memory serves me well, and if not mistaken that scene has already been mentioned on this board years ago.

[–] doug78595 12 years ago

You are correct Jaywer! Yes some yrs back we spoke of the exact scene you said ,where she is sitting in the back seat of a taxi and her skirt really rises.From this scene someone wanted Michelle's head to be photoshopped onto the stage prop.It was up on the old Yahoo "BL" page until it the site went down.The original photo it was taken from is up on the new Yahoo group.

[–] steveb789 12 years ago

It's funny you brought up this film and this character.I've been told so many times that Michelle's character,Melanie Parker,is so perfect for a modern day "Beginner's Luck" role of Spanky's mother.Melanie is a single mom raising a young son,Sammy,and working as an architect for a NY firm.Her Ex-husband is a drummer for rock bands and seems to be irresonsible for caring for their child.Clearly everything falls on Melanie when it comes to child rearing.The Ex makes plans to take Sammy on this trip or that and it always falls through.Melanie is left holding the bag and trying to get her boy involved with as much extra activity as possible.
There is a scene when Melanie must pitch her ideas to clients.The clients say they want to hear more and will meet with her and her boss for drinks.The clients like her ideas( most people say the clients like Melanie's T and A )and want her to stay for more drinks and dinner.Many people say they just want to slip Melanie out of her clothes and into a bed later that evening.Melanie must choose between her job and her son's soccer game.She chooses her son's game.
Some people say the harried lifestyle of Melanie Parker,who is a control freak leads this character perfectly for the mother's role in B/L.

[–] doug78595 12 years ago

I had a chance to watch two Danny Kaye - Virginia Mayo films over the weekend.The first was "A song is born" featuring Danny as an egg head professor who meets a gangsters girlfriend (Mayo),the usual mixup occurs and she falls in love with him.Great scenes of Mayo acting like a tough girl.the seccond was "Wonderman" which I had seen before.Mayo looked her best that I can remember.Virginia Mayo from "Wonderman" was a great choice to play Spanky's mother in a mid 40's remake of "BL".

[–] steveb789 12 years ago

I've come up with a good candidate for the 50's.It took a lot of time.Anne Francis,she played the lovely in "Forbidden Planet" and I didn't think she could play a mom type but I did she in other films where she played a mother type and some tuff bitches too.

[–] tarot400 12 years ago

Doug, I am extremely excited that you took the time to watch the beautiful Virginia Mayo in 'Wonder Man' - her appearance in that film finalised in my mind her suitability to be cast in a remake of 'Beginners Luck'. Any particular scenes from her appearance in 'Wonder Man' appeal to you particularly, Doug?

[–] doug78595 12 years ago

Hi tarot400

I was suprised that Virginia's appeareance was slightly different than her usual look from her other movies which came out in the same year.I thought she looked a little prettier in "Wonderman" than the others.I also thought in "Wonderman" she had a smaller part than her normal films or maybe they had to split the role of the leading lady in 2 parts for Virginia and Vera-Ellen.In her opening scenes in the library with Danny she looked great.The scenes back in the library where he is trying to expalain his disappearance,well Virginia looks great when she is mad! The scene where she is wearing that beret made me think that a stage prop was going to slide in front of her at any second.

I was also suprised that her character of a librarian was very different than her other roles where she didn't play such a good girl.

[–] tarot400 12 years ago

I agree that both library scenes are perfect illustrations of Virginia's allure - I also like her dating scene with Danny Kaye where they are flirting and preparing dinner - she looks extremely cute in the frilled apron she is wearing.

[–] doug78595 12 years ago

To be very honest with you in all my years of people talking of a "BL" remake no one ever mentioned the 1940's or 50's.As I said before it was filled with the TV moms of the 70's -90's.The most popular name I heard was Shelly Long's character of Diane Chambers.It seems that alot of people wanted to see her get an extreme humiliation,possibly due to her upper class ways oe maybe that she really deserved one.

But it was refreshing seeing tha name Virginia Mayo.A beautiful woman and a real sexy one as well.

[–] judith-mcfarland1935 11 years ago

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https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=630676220289003&set=a.188000281223268.39886.133607503329213&type=1&theater

[–] JAYWER430 11 years ago

Unfortuatly I dont belong to FB...
I do agree abouth this candidate being Curtain Candidate Worthy!!!

[–] judith-mcfarland1935 11 years ago

Here is the site that you can get to

http://www.truecorset.com/us/luxury-corsets/overbust-corsets/dita-corset-in-ivory-duchess-satin

[–] tarot400 11 years ago

Check out my new post on the board referring to the 40's/50's actress Hillary Brooke's appeaance in the 'Abbott and Costello Show' episode 'BINGO' - she's absolutely perfect for the role of Spanky's sexy humilated Mom!

[–] Bud88883 (12) 2 years ago

I love the original but a remake would be great. Hopefully focusing on the curtain scene a little more and maybe different angles.