Free and Easy (1941 film)
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Edward Buzzell (uncredited)
1928 play
by Ivor Novello
| Free and Easy | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | George Sidney Edward Buzzell (uncredited) |
| Screenplay by | Marvin Borowsky |
| Based on | The Truth Game 1928 play by Ivor Novello |
| Starring | Robert Cummings Ruth Hussey Judith Anderson C. Aubrey Smith |
| Cinematography | George J. Folsey Charles Lawton, Jr. |
| Edited by | Frank E. Hull |
| Music by | Daniele Amfitheatrof |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Loew's Inc. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 56 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $244,000[1] |
| Box office | $333,000[1] |
Free and Easy is a 1941 American comedy film directed by George Sidney and starring Robert Cummings, Ruth Hussey, Judith Anderson and Nigel Bruce. Produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the film is a remake of But the Flesh Is Weak (1932) in which Robert Montgomery and C. Aubrey Smith had appeared as the son-and-father team.[2] Both films are based on the 1928 play The Truth Game by Ivor Novello.[3]
- Robert Cummings as Max Clemington
- Ruth Hussey as Martha Gray
- Judith Anderson as Lady Joan Culver
- C. Aubrey Smith as Duke Colver
- Nigel Bruce as Florian Clemington
- Charles Coleman as Powers, Culver's butler
- Reginald Owen as Sir Kelvin
- Teresa Maxwell-Conover as Lady Ridgeway
- Ernie Stanton as Duke's Horse Groom (uncredited)
Production
It was George Sidney's first feature as director. "Nobody else on the lot would do it," he later said.[4] He had worked at MGM since 1931 and been directing studio shorts and screen tests; two of his shorts won Oscars - Quicker 'n a Wink (1940) and Of Pups and Puzzles (1941). This enabled him to move up to features.[5]
Sidney had directed Robert Cummings in a screen test in 1935.[6]
Cummings was borrowed from Universal in December 1940. Filming started in late December 1940. The week before filming Edward Buzzell was to direct.[7] However then Sidney stepped in. Filming ended in January 1941 though there were some reshoots later in the month.[8]