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Happy Landing (1938 film)
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Wikipedia article
'Happy Landing' is a 1938 film directed by Roy Del Ruth, starring Sonja Henie, Ethel Merman, Don Ameche and Cesar Romero.Happy Landing
Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 5, Iss. 49, (Jan 1, 1938): 73.
Plot
A bandleader, Duke Sargent, and his manager Jimmy Hall are flying from New York to Paris when they must make a forced landing in Norway. A misunderstanding results in local girl Trudy Ericksen being romantically committed to Duke, but he has Flo Kelly waiting for him back in New York and slips away.
Trudy follows him to New York, but ends up in Central Park on a skating date with Jimmy and soon is signed up as the star of a big-city ice revue.
Cast
* Sonja Henie as Trudy
* Cesar Romero as Duke
* Don Ameche as Jimmy
* Ethel Merman as Flo
Production
In November 1937 while shooting the film Henie was injured when her skate crossed on some cotton on the ice. She soon recovered and returned to work in a week.SONJA HENIE HONORED BY KING OF NORWAY: Ice Skating Star Is Admitted to Knightly Order of St. Olaf To Get Decoration on Coast
New York Times 7 Dec 1937: 31.
The production numbers involved 84 skaters under dance director Henry Losee. It was difficult finding skaters who could dance and dancers who could skate so he ended up employing half dancers and half skaters and they would teach each other. Henie later took 60 of the skaters with her on tour after making the movie.'Dorothy Parker of Hollywood' Is Gregory, Ratoff's New Role: The Christian Science Monitor 13 Dec 1937: 16.
Reception
The 'Los Angeles Times' called it her best picture to date.Sonja Henie Sparkles as "Happy Landing" Star
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 27 Jan 1938: 11. The 'New York Times' praised the "ingenious script" and "engaging support players" saying the film "has pace, humour, spectacle and a pleasant if minor score."THE SCREEN: Sonja Henie Makes a 'Happy Landing' at the Roxy By FRANK S. NUGENT. New York Times 22 Jan 1938: 19. 'Filmink' called it "great fun. Very strong cast."
Follow Up
Daryl F. Zanuck was so pleased with the film he optioned Henie to make three more.Henie Optioned For Three More
The Washington Post 05 Jan 1938: X8. However shortly after the film came out Henie said she was getting sick of movie work saying "I can't stand the strain - working from early morning to seven or eight at night and I do not intend to do so. I train hard and can keep going at top speed with anybody but not as much as movies demand." When Zanuck heard this he said "this is all news to me."THIRD FILM BASED ON AMERICAN HISTORY CONSIDERED BY DE MILLE: Sonja Henie Rebels Against "Picture Strain"
Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 27 Jan 1938: 10. However she went on to make 'My Lucky Star' for the studio.
Home media
'Happy Landing' was released on Region 0 DVD-R by 20th Century Fox Cinema Archives on December 30, 2013.
References
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