#ben hecht

[yestergaze]

Design for Living (1933) is a pre-code romantic comedy film directed by Ernst Lubitsch based on the 1932 play of the same name by Noël Coward. Starring Fredric March, Gary Cooper, and Miriam Hopkins, the film is about a woman who cannot decide between two men who love her, and the trio agree to try living together in a platonic friendly relationship. The screenplay was written by Ben Hecht, and his adaptation was a vast departure from Coward's original play. Coward reportedly said, "I'm told that there are three of my original lines left in the film, such original ones as 'Pass the mustard". Despite mixed reviews, it was one of the top ten highest-grossing films of 1933. Censorship difficulties arose with the film due to sexual discussions and innuendos in the film. The Hays Office eventually approved it for release, but the film later was banned by the Legion of Decency.

[strathshepard]

Illustration by Wallace Smith for Ben Hecht’s Fantazius Mallare, 1922, via The Public Domain Review

[nerds-yearbook]

The Thing from Another World had a release date of April 7, 1951. The sci fi classic produced by Howard Hawks was based on the short story "Who Goes There?" by John W Campbell Jr. The film featured James Arness as The Thing. Unlike the short story and the remake, the female character Nikki (Margaret Sheridan) was added to the film. Famous voice actor Paul Frees appeared as Dr Vorhees. There has been extensive debate since the film's release if Howard Hawks or Christian Nyby mainly directed the film. Due to financial constrates, the changling nature of the alien was mostly written out of the final film. Film maker John Carpenter was a big fan of the film and not only had it appear in his iconic film Halloween, but went on to direct a remake in 1982 with the shortened title The Thing. While considered a bomb at the time that really hurt his career, the 1982 version has since gone on to be a major cult classic. Directors Ridley Scott, John Frankenheimer, and Tobe Hooper are also said to be big fans of the original film. The Thing from Another World and the Thing can easily be seen as an influence on the first season episode of the X-Files "Ice". ("The Thing from Another World", Sci Fi Movie Event)

[putall]

Illustration by Wallace Smith for Ben Hecht’s Fantazius Mallare, 1922

[citizenscreen]

Ben Hecht (February 28, 1894 – April 18, 1964), screenwriter, director.

[autolabrum]

Watched Design for Living

An absolute delight. Lubitsch redeemed from The Love Parade last night. Never have two men looked more ostrich-like than when Tommy and George foot around their apartment at Gilda's first visit. E. E. Horton running as fast as he can is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. A perfect comparison of interesting people who happen to become wealthy as opposed to wealthy people trying desperately to be interesting. The set design of the dingy Paris apartment was gorgeous. All around wonderful.

[filmso2]

The Thing from Another World

1951

[filmtrospective]

None Too Flippant

George Raft’s performance in Scarface helped launch one of the most recognizable gestures in gangster cinema: the famous coin flip. Raised in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen and formerly a boxer and dancer, Raft carried real street credibility, reinforced by his connections to underworld figures like Owney Madden. When director Howard Hawks cast him as Guino Rinaldi—modeled on Frank Rio—he recognized the actor’s “impassive” presence but also his limited screen experience. The coin-tossing gesture, variously credited to Hawks (or Ben Hecht ) became a clever piece of business that masked Raft’s inexperience while defining the character’s cool menace. Raft practiced the trick constantly on set, and after the film’s release, he claimed hoodlums across the country began imitating it.

Raft remained grateful to Hawks for the role and often praised his calm directing style, even offering for years afterward to work for him at reduced pay. Yet the production was not without its complications. During the shoot, Raft’s personal life briefly collided with the orbit of producer Howard Hughes, placing the young actor in a delicate—and potentially dangerous—situation. The incident ended quietly enough, but it was the kind of off-screen drama that could have derailed a career before it truly began. What exactly happened, and how close did Raft come to crossing the wrong man in Hollywood?