Over the weekend, my family and I sat down to watch one of my birthday gifts, Bringing Up Baby (1938). All of us, the kids included, enjoyed the film very much. For those of you who have never heard of it, feel free to watch the trailer provided below.
The first time that I ever heard of this classic was through another old movie, What's Up, Doc? (1972). What's Up, Doc? is the most beloved movie of my siblings and is quoted quite often at gatherings. As you can imagine, I was elated to find that it was inspired by the film Bringing Up Baby. The Director of What's Up, Doc?, Peter Bogdanovich, asked Ryan O'Neal to pattern himself after Cary Grant's performance. O'Neal went so far as to meet with Grant for inspiration. The only words of wisdom granted to O'Neal was, "Wear silk underwear." So, wear them he did.
One other thing, that my wife noticed, was the similarity in appearance and mannerisms of Grants character (David) to Christopher Reeves Clark Kent in the popular Superman movies. Glasses, occasional hat, random questions & awkward responses seemed to be in perfect sequence. Could it be possible that Reeves meant it to be that way?... Well after some careful research, I discovered it to be true. All sources point to a reference in his biography, "Still Here" stating that Cary Grant in Bringing Up Baby was the inspiration for his Kent.
That means this movie inspired the premises of at least two future big hits. On that alone I think its worth watching.
I began to get intrigued by the idea of Grant's inspiration of Kent, as to create a theory of my own. In Grant's early years he often played the fool in what was called then, oddball comedies. With his classic "Oooh oooh oooh" and his common pauses of bewilderment associated with occasional glares to the audience, he played the best looking nerd around. Later in life he no longer wore the glasses, except in extreme seriousness or extreme humor. He was now the debonair leading man with the purposeful lines and the telling eyes. To see the contrast, compare the 20 year gap of Arsenic & Old Lace (1944) & Charade (1963). Even though his humor had aged, we all knew that he had it in him to be even crazier. I guess that's what made his later performances so interesting.
This is where my theory comes into play. I began to wonder if his earlier years were his Clark Kent years. He knew how to be romantic, but he was so good at being funny. As he transitioned into his later years, he began to take on the Superman role, saving damsel's in distress. As you watched him, you wondered how he ever could have been a Clark Kent.
By the way, you can find this movie at Amazon for a very good price.
Here are two poorly matched scenes that I hope
show a slight similarity to the characters.
That means this movie inspired the premises of at least two future big hits. On that alone I think its worth watching.
I began to get intrigued by the idea of Grant's inspiration of Kent, as to create a theory of my own. In Grant's early years he often played the fool in what was called then, oddball comedies. With his classic "Oooh oooh oooh" and his common pauses of bewilderment associated with occasional glares to the audience, he played the best looking nerd around. Later in life he no longer wore the glasses, except in extreme seriousness or extreme humor. He was now the debonair leading man with the purposeful lines and the telling eyes. To see the contrast, compare the 20 year gap of Arsenic & Old Lace (1944) & Charade (1963). Even though his humor had aged, we all knew that he had it in him to be even crazier. I guess that's what made his later performances so interesting.
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| Still from Bringing Up Baby. Though it lacks the booth, here he is next to the phone. |
By the way, you can find this movie at Amazon for a very good price.
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