Series: Feature Director: Hal Roach Producer: Hal Roach Screenplay: Mickell Novack, Berne Giler, John McClain. Additional dialogue: Rian James. Based on the novel "Turnabout" by Thorne Smith Photography: Norbert Brodine Editor: Bert Jordan Art director: Nicolai Remisoff Sound: William Randall Music: Arthur Morton Stars: Adolphe Menjou, Carole Landis, John Hubbard, William Gargan, Verree Teasdale, Mary Astor, Donald Meek, Joyce Compton, Inez Courtney, Franklin Pangborn, Marjorie Main, Berton Churchill, Margaret Roach Company: United Artists Released: 17 May 1940 Length: 9 reels Production No.: F-31 Filming dates: February 19, 1940 - ? Rating: 5/10

Turnabout

Available on DVD:

It's 7:45am when the butler wakes up Tim Willows, who then breaks out into a routine of exercises, waking up his wife who is sleeping in a separate bed next to his. She complains about him and his giant dog and declares it's the dog's last day in the house. Outside the door, the butler and the maid make wagers on whether they think the dog will actually go or stay (this continues through the movie.) Tim lovingly tucks the huge dog into his bed and goes into the bathroom. His wife Sally then turns over and without realising this begins a heartfelt apology to Tim. Whe she realises she is talking to the dog she and Tim begin to argue some more until Tim offers to take Dopey to the kennels, which earns her forgiveness. Trixie Gale is waiting at the offices of Willows-Manning-Clare Advertising, to be the new secretary for Joel Clare. The heads of the company filter into the building and go about their daily routines, whilst back at the Willows' house Sally is annoyed to see that the dog is still at the house so she phones Tim to issue an ultimatum: either the dog goes or she will. Meanwhile, the three wives of Willows, Manning and Clare get together in a cab ride. Tim has a brief workout in his office with a Japanese trainer named Ito, and businessman Mr. Pangboom arrives to see Willows. Tim seeks the advice of Laura, who tells him to buy his wife a small dog for her own so that he has leverage against her next time she wants him to get rid of his dog. So he takes Dixie to the pet store to buy one.

Unfortunately Irene, one of Tim's wife's friends, sees him buying the dog with the mystery woman and can't wait to rush back to report the news to her. More unfortunate is that a disgrunted customer has swapped the basket containing the dog with one containing a small bear which he had just returned to the store. Sally is unimpressed when she is presented with the creature which promptly runs amok in her bedroom. REVIEW INCOMPLETE.

Trivia • Copyrighted May 21, 1940. • After the release of this film it would be five months before a new film made by Roach would be released. • This film was preserved by UCLA Film & Television Archive, with funding provided by The Film Foundation before being released onto DVD in 2017. • 'Dopey' is the name of Tim's dog; whilst Manning calls his two goldfish Amos and Andy. • Adolphe Menjou (who plays Phil Manning) and Verree Teasdale (who plays Laura Banning) were real-life husband and wife at the time of filming.

	Adolphe Menjou Phil Manning
	Carole Landis Sally Willows
	John Hubbard Tim Willows
	William Gargan Joel Clare
	Veree Teasdale Laura Bannister
	Mary Astor Marion Manning
	Donald Meek Henry
	Joyce Compton Irene Clare
	Inez Courtney Miss Edwards
	Franklin Pangborn Alan Pingboom
	Marjorie Main Nora
	Berton Churchill Julian Marlowe
	Margaret Roach Dixie Gale
	Ray Turner Mose
	Norman Budd Jimmy
	Polly Ann Young Gertie Twill
	Eleanor Riley Lorraine
	Murray Alper Masseur
	Miki Morita Ito
	Yolande_Donlan Marie, maid
	Georges Renavent Mr. Ram
	Peter Adams Photographer
	Ward Arnold Employee
	Chester Clute Briggs
	Hal Cooke Copyrighter
	John Davidson Nightclub patron
	Dorothy_Dugan Bathing model
	Jack Egan Photographer's assistant
	Joe Hartman Model
	Kenner G. Kemp Nightclub patron
	Gwen Kenyon Model
	Wright Kramer Dr. Brown
	Carl M. Leviness Man in outer office
	Jerry Mandy Remisoff, first photographer
	Buddy Messinger Eddie, elevator boy
	Harold Miller Nightclub patron
	Harold Minjir Pet shop clerk
	Bert Moorhouse Photographer's assistant
	Frances Morris Marlowe's secretary
	Forbes Murray Carter
	William H. O'Brien Nightclub waiter
	Elsa Peterson [?]
	Rebel Randall Model
	Jack Rice Second photographer
	Louise Ritchie Maid
	Marshall Ruth Nightclub patron
	Gwen Seager Dress model
	Mildred Sellers Model
	Robert 'Buddy' Shaw Second clerk
	Carlie Taylor Photographer's assistant
	Russell Wade Officer worker in corridor
	Larry Wheat Meek man in outer office
	UNIDENTIFIED Elevator boy

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This page was last updated on: 12 September 2024