Mr. Cohen Takes a Walk

Based onMr. Cohen Takes a Walk
1934 novel
by Mary Roberts Rinehart

Mr. Cohen Takes a Walk
Feature on the film from Picture Show magazine (18 July 1936)^[1]
Directed by	William Beaudine
Screenplay by	Brock Williams
Based on	Mr. Cohen Takes a Walk 1934 novel by Mary Roberts Rinehart
Produced by	Irving Asher
Starring	Paul Graetz Violet Farebrother Chili Bouchier
Music by	Basil Emmott
Production company	Warner Bros. Pictures
Distributed by	Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date	13 December 1935 (1935-12-13)
Running time	80 minutes
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English

Mr. Cohen Takes a Walk (also known as Mister Cohen Takes a Walk and Father Takes a Walk^[2]), is a 1935 British comedy film directed by William Beaudine and starring Paul Graetz, Violet Farebrother, and Chili Bouchier. It was written by Brock Williams based on the 1935 novel by Mary Roberts Rinehart. It was one of many British quota quickies produced by Warner Bros. Pictures.^[3]

The BFI National Archive holds a collection of ephemera and stills but no film or video materials.^[2]

Plot

Jake Cohen, the owner of a department store, goes on the road, and leaves the business under the control of his children, only to have to return when they fight with each other on the eve of a workers' strike.

Cast

Paul Graetz as Jake Cohen
Violet Farebrother as Rachel Cohen
Chili Bouchier as Julia Levine
Mickey Brantford as Jack Cohen
Ralph Truman as Sam Cohen
Barry Livesey as Joe Levine
Sam Springson as Abraham Levy
Kenneth Villiers as Bob West
Meriel Forbes as Sally O'Connor
George Merritt as Pat O'Connor

Reception

The Monthly Film Bulletin wrote: "Marred by a hackneyed subsidiary plot the story in general lacks originality. The production is weak and the casting on the whole is poor, but Paul Graetz as Jacob Cohen makes something of a tedious part and succeeds in giving the latter stages of the film a convincing air. The propagandist conclusion is out of place. The small role of a country clergyman taken by an unmentioned actor deserves notice."^[4]

Kine Weekly wrote: "Tender, whimsical Jewish character comedy drama, covering the complete gamut of popular entertainment through the delightful and accurate performance of Paul Graetz, in the name part. Into the star's portrayal can be read sound philosophy, refreshing humour, and tender, human interest, and it is these qualities that bring to the wide itinerary, mapped out by the homely story, the power fo intrigue all types of audiences. Smoothly balanced by a strong supporting cast, and admirably mounted technically, the picture represents a first-rate general booking."^[5]

The Daily Film Renter wrote: "Human story of lovable Jewish department store king who takes holiday on road as tramp, returning post haste, however, when labour troubles threaten smooth running of business. Splendidly acted by Paul Graetz, who gives polished character study in lead, subject is convincingly staged in appropriate settings, with picturesque rural exteriors as attractive feature. Sympathetic direction, unobtrusive romantic element, and amusing comedy trimmings. Good popular entertainment."^[6]

Picturegoer wrote: "While in no sense a 'super', this human little picture in its unpretentious way is more deserving of three stars than many which rank in the former class. While delightful in the sincere simplicity of its plot, it is notable too for the sensitive performance given by Paul Graetz in the title role – a part, incidentally, which caused Hollywood to take notice of Mr. Graetz. ... William Beaudine's direction is a little leisurely, but the acting is so good that one can forgive that."^[7]

Picture Show wrote: "Paul Graetz as Jacob Cohen gives a most vivid portrayal of the kindly, simple Jew. Micky Brantford and Ralph Truman play the roles of the sons well. Violet Farebrother as Mrs. Cohen is extremely good. ... An entertaining but rather slow-moving picture."^[8]

v t e Films directed by William Beaudine
1920s-30s	Watch Your Step (1922) Catch My Smoke (1922) Heroes of the Street (1922) Her Fatal Millions (1923) Penrod and Sam (1923) The Printer's Devil (1923) The Country Kid (1923) Boy of Mine (1923) Daring Youth (1924) Wandering Husbands (1924) Daughters of Pleasure (1924) A Self-Made Failure (1924) Cornered (1924) Lovers' Lane (1924) (unconfirmed) The Narrow Street (1925) A Broadway Butterfly (1925) How Baxter Butted In (1925) Little Annie Rooney (1925) That's My Baby (1926) Sparrows (1926) The Social Highwayman (1926) The Canadian (1926) Frisco Sally Levy (1927) The Life of Riley (1927) The Irresistible Lover (1927) The Cohens and the Kellys in Paris (1928) Heart to Heart (1928) Home, James (1928) Do Your Duty (1928) Give and Take (1928) Fugitives (1929) Two Weeks Off (1929) Hard to Get (1929) The Girl from Woolworth's (1929) Wedding Rings (1929) Those Who Dance (1930) Road to Paradise (1930) Father's Son (1931) Misbehaving Ladies (1931) The Lady Who Dared (1931) The Mad Parade (1931) Penrod and Sam (1931) Men in Her Life (1931) Three Wise Girls (1932) Make Me a Star (1932) The Crime of the Century (1933) Her Bodyguard (1933) The Old Fashioned Way (1934)
British films	Two Hearts in Harmony (1935) So You Won't Talk (1935) Dandy Dick (1935) Boys Will Be Boys (1935) Get Off My Foot (1935) Mr. Cohen Takes a Walk (1935) Where There's a Will (1936) Educated Evans (1936) It's in the Bag (1936) Windbag the Sailor (1936) Feather Your Nest (1937) Said O'Reilly to McNab (1937) Take It from Me (1937)
1930s-40s	Torchy Gets Her Man (1938) Torchy Blane in Chinatown (1939) She Done Him Right (1940) Four Shall Die (1940) The Last Alarm (1940) Misbehaving Husbands (1940) Up Jumped the Devil (1941) Emergency Landing (1941) Mr. Washington Goes to Town (1941) Federal Fugitives (1941) Desperate Cargo (1941) Flying Wild (1941) Mr. Celebrity (1941) The Miracle Kid (1941) Blonde Comet (1941) Duke of the Navy (1942) Broadway Big Shot (1942) Lucky Ghost (1942) Professor Creeps (1942) The Panther's Claw (1942) Men of San Quentin (1942) Gallant Lady (1942) One Thrilling Night (1942) Phantom Killer (1942) Foreign Agent (1942) The Living Ghost (1942) The Ape Man (1943) Clancy Street Boys (1943) Spotlight Scandals (1943) Ghosts on the Loose (1943) Here Comes Kelly (1943) Mr. Muggs Steps Out (1943) Mystery of the 13th Guest (1943) What a Man! (1944) Voodoo Man (1944) Hot Rhythm (1944) Detective Kitty O'Day (1944) Follow the Leader (1944) Leave It to the Irish (1944) Oh, What a Night (1944) Shadow of Suspicion (1944) Bowery Champs (1944) Crazy Knights (1944) Mom and Dad (1945) Adventures of Kitty O'Day (1945) Fashion Model (1945) Blonde Ransom (1945) Swingin' on a Rainbow (1945) Come Out Fighting (1945) Black Market Babies (1945) Girl on the Spot (1946) The Face of Marble (1946) One Exciting Week (1946) Don't Gamble with Strangers (1946) Below the Deadline (1946) Spook Busters (1946) Mr. Hex (1946) Philo Vance Returns (1947) Hard Boiled Mahoney (1947) Too Many Winners (1947) Killer at Large (1947) Gas House Kids Go West (1947) News Hounds (1947) Bowery Buckaroos (1947) The Chinese Ring (1947) Angels' Alley (1947) Jinx Money (1948) Shanghai Chest (1948) The Golden Eye (1948) Smugglers' Cove (1948) Incident (1948) Kidnapped (1948) Jiggs and Maggie in Court (1948) The Feathered Serpent (1948) The Lawton Story (1949) Tuna Clipper (1949) Forgotten Women (1949) Trail of the Yukon (1949) Jiggs and Maggie in Jackpot Jitters (1949) Tough Assignment (1949)
1950s-60s	Blue Grass of Kentucky (1950) Blonde Dynamite (1950) Jiggs and Maggie Out West (1950) Lucky Losers (1950) County Fair (1950) Second Chance (1950) Blues Busters (1950) A Wonderful Life (1951) Bowery Battalion (1951) Cuban Fireball (1951) Ghost Chasers (1951) Let's Go Navy! (1951) Havana Rose (1951) Crazy Over Horses (1951) Rodeo (1952) Hold That Line (1952) Jet Job (1952) Here Come the Marines (1952) The Rose Bowl Story (1952) Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla (1952) Feudin' Fools (1952) No Holds Barred (1952) Jalopy (1953) Born to the Saddle (1953) Roar of the Crowd (1953) Murder Without Tears (1953) Yukon Vengeance (1954) Paris Playboys (1954) Pride of the Blue Grass (1954) High Society (1955) Jail Busters (1955) Westward Ho the Wagons! (1956) Up in Smoke (1957) In the Money (1958) Ten Who Dared (1960) Billy the Kid Versus Dracula (1966) Jesse James Meets Frankenstein's Daughter (1966)

Mr. Cohen Takes a Walk

Plot

Cast

Reception

References

External links

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