Universal's Show Boat!

The film rights to the novel Show Boat were purchased by Carl Laemmle in 1927 as a possible movie property. He quickly began production on a silent version of the film, though the movie world was seemingly changing around him. The sound era ushered in new possibilities and the novel had been adapted into a popular musical on Broadway. Laemmle realized that he couldn't get away with releasing a silent version of the film, so he decided to re-film 30 minutes of the film in sound. When the film finally hit theaters, it was a mish-mash of sound and silence, which irritated Mr. Laemmle, who felt that the full promise of the property had not been fulfilled.

So just seven years later, Mr. Laemmle staked his fortune and reputation on a sound remake of the film. This time, he bought the rights to the hit songs from the musical and made what promised to be a huge hit for the studio. While he was right about the success of the film, he wouldn't get to enjoy the spoils. Facing huge debts, his board of directors ousted him from the studio he had founded. Mr. Laemmle could only watch as his passion project made millions for his studio, but nothing for him.

While the film brought much needed cash into the studio, it wasn't enough. The Universal board of directors sought quick ways to make money and MGM had a proposition for them; it wanted to make its own version of Show Boat; after all, it was the king of musicals at the time. It offered to buy not just the theatrical rights from Universal, but also the 1936 version of the film. (It didn't want Universal to cash in on MGM's version of the musical by releasing the old one. Several years and stalled starts later, MGM released its version, which became the one most people think of when they picture the film.

The Universal version of the film would languish in MGM's vaults until the advent of cable television when it would finally see the light of day as part of Ted Turner's legendary movie catalog. It has currently made it to DVD under Warner Brothers' Archive Collection.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Week: "White Christmas"

In the film, one of the characters shows a picture of her brother who is supposed to be away at war. The actor in the picture is Carl Switzer, better known to millions as "Alfalfa" from the original Our Gang Comedies.

Christmas Week: "Miracle on 34th Street"

"Everyone felt the magic on the set and we all knew we were creating something special, I am very proud to have been part of a film that has been continually shown and loved all over the world for nearly sixty years. Miracle on 34th Street has endured all this time because of the special relationship of the cast and crew, the uplifting story and its message of hope and love, which steals hearts all over the world every year. I don't think I will ever tire of children asking me, 'Are you the lady who knows Santa Claus?' I always answer, 'Yes, I am. What would you like me to tell him?'"

-Maureen O'Hara

Christmas Week: "It's A Wonderful Life"

The film was originally a flop whose studio didn't bother to renew its copyright. Falling into the public domain, the film became a classic due to its many airings on television. In the late 1980's, the successor company to Liberty Films realized that the copyright for the music and the script was still active. After re-acquiring the rights to both, Paramount brought the film back under copyright protection.

A Christmas Story: Another Old Man

A Christmas Story has become a holiday classic over the years, mostly because of its perfect casting. Who else could play the Old Man other than Darren McGavin?

Well at one point, a different actor was considered- Jack Nicholson and he was definitely interested in making the film. The studio, however, was only making it due to contractural obligations. Therefore they provided a minimal budget for the film. Since it wasn't enough to pay Jack Nicholson's going rate, Darren McGavin won the role and a place in cinematic history.

Jack on 34th Street

Many actors feel honored to be a part of just one project that becomes a classic- but imagine being a part of two?

The classic Miracle on 34th Street comes to its conclusion because the post office, a federal government agency, decides to send letters addressed to Kris Kringle or Santa Claus to the man on trial for being senile for declaring himself to be Santa Claus. Since the federal government was essentially declaring that Kris Kringle was Santa Claus by sending the letters to Macy's, the judge gets the out he needs to complete the case. The actor portraying the postal employee who decides to forward the letters to Macy's Santa Claus was played by Jack Albertson in one of his earliest roles.

Years later, a more mature Jack would play the role he would become best known for- Grandpa Joe in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Think you know what really happened in Wonka's Chocolate Factory? Think again as Newsline presents the story of- The Candy Man

Buddy Ebsen, Former Tin Man

Long before he gained fame as Jed Clampett, Buddy Ebsen was a renowned dancer who was on the verge of great success in the role of a lifetime- the Tin Man in MGM's classic The Wizard of Oz. The role required grueling costume fittings and the application of silver paint every morning, but it would certainly be worth it.

Unfortunately for Buddy, the silver paint made him deathly ill. MGM originally thought that he was just being a difficult actor, but realized the severity of his illness when Louis B. Mayer visited him in the critical care wing at the hospital. Mr. Ebsen's illness was hidden from the rest of the cast and the world by the studio, who told his replacement Jack Haley that he had been fired. Luckily, a different, less toxic paint was sourced and used on Mr. Haley. The studio wouldn't reveal the real reason behind Buddy Ebsen's departure until many years later.