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The Toast of New York
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Wikipedia article
'The Toast of New York' is a 1937 American biopic directed by Rowland V. Lee and starring Edward Arnold, Cary Grant, Frances Farmer, and Jack Oakie. The film is a fictionalized account of the lives of financiers James Fisk and Edward S. Stokes. The screenplay was based on the book 'The Book of Daniel Drew' by Bouck White and the story "Robber Barons" by Matthew Josephson. This is also Grant's first period film.
Plot
In post-Civil War America, unscrupulous, ambitious partners Jim Fisk (Arnold) and Nick Boyd (Grant) talk tight-fisted businessman Daniel Drew (Donald Meek) into selling them his shipping company, paying with worthless Confederate bonds. Later, worried that his longtime rival, Cornelius Vanderbilt (Clarence Kolb), is trying to take control of his railroad, Drew seeks help from Fisk, only to have him turn the situation to his own advantage. Fisk and Boyd eventually become powers to be reckoned with on Wall Street.
Meanwhile, both men fall in love with entertainer Josie Mansfield (Farmer). Mansfield agrees to marry Fisk out of gratitude, but really loves Boyd.
Fisk's greed grows beyond all reason and he tries to corner the market in gold. When Fisk ignores Boyd's warnings, Boyd turns against him, worried that the resulting panic threatens the financial system of the whole country. The federal government finally intervenes by releasing its gold reserves, bankrupting Fisk in the process.
Cast and characters
*Edward Arnold as Jim Fisk
*Cary Grant as Nick Boyd
*Frances Farmer as Josie Mansfield
*Jack Oakie as Luke
*Donald Meek as Daniel Drew
*Thelma Leeds as Fleurique
*Clarence Kolb as Vanderbilt
*Billy Gilbert as Photographer
*George Irving as Broker
*Russell Hicks as Lawyer
*Dudley Clements as Collins
*Lionel Belmore as President of Board
*James Finlayson - uncredited
*Robert McClung as Bellhop
*Robert Dudley as Janitor
*Dewey Robinson as Beef Dooley
*Stanley Fields as Top Sergeant
Production
The film was originally announced as 'The Robber Barons' to star Robert Donat who had just made 'Count of Monte Cristo' for producer Edward Small."Robert Donat, Jack Oakie and Other Stars to Glisten on R.-K.-O. Program: Small Closes Deal for Reliance Films Kiepura's Next European Feature in Charge of "Casta Diva" Director; Jean Arthur and Melvyn Douglas to Join Talents" Schallert, Edwin. 'Los Angeles Times' 27 Jan 1936: A15.
Filming was meant to take four weeks but ended up taking fifteen with Arnold on $10,000 a week, half of which went to B. P. Schulberg who owned his contract. Costing Small this much money gave satisfaction to Arnold, who had been rejected by the producer seeking his representation as an agent in 1918."HOLLYWOOD PICKET LINE: The Industry Watches the C. I. O.--Satisfaction--R. Halliburton Flynn" by DOUGLAS W. CHURCHILL. 'New York Times' 18 Apr 1937: 169. Costs blew out on the production and there ended up being at least seven writers on the script."HOLLYWOOD ON THE ROAD" by DOUGLAS W. CHURCHILL. 'New York Times' 21 Mar 1937: 173.
Reception
Reviews were mixed. Frank S. Nugent wrote that it was "only moderately entertaining" and "a familiar formula Arnold show." 'Variety' called it "good entertainment despite its inanities, extravagances and exaggerations." 'Harrison's Reports' wrote that it was "lacking in dramatic force" and had unsympathetic characters but offered "several thrilling moments." Russell Maloney of 'The New Yorker' called the story "fumbling and aimless" and found "shocking anachronisms" in the dialogue, concluding, "Not recommended."
The film was a commercial disappointment, losing $530,000, making it RKO's biggest money loser of the year. This led to Edward Small leaving RKO and returning to United Artists.
References
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