THIS COULD BE THE NIGHT

US, 1957, 104 minutes, Black and white.
Jean Simmons, Paul Douglas, Anthony Franciosa, Julie Wilson, Neile Adams, Joan Blondell, J. Carrol Naish, Rafael Campos, Zasu Pitts, Tom Helmore, Murvyn Vye, Vaughn Taylor, William Ogden Joyce.
Directed by Robert Wise.

This Could Be The Night is a light romantic drama with a difference. It is set both in a school and in a nightclub. It is very much the style of the 1950s, a certain reticence in making explicit sexual realities and sexual relationships. This reticence was challenged by Otto Preminger’s The Moon is Blue in 1954. Ten years later, there seemed to be no restrictions.

Jean Simmons portrays a teacher from Massachusetts who is trying to make it in New York City and applies for a part-time job working as a secretary in a nightclub. Paul Douglas is the genial manager of the club, Anthony Franciosa his protégé and younger partner. Julie Wilson is the torch singer and has some effective songs. Neile Adams (Steve Mc Queen’s wife) is a vigorous screen presence both in singing and dancing. Joan Blondell is her mother, remembering former days of stardom. There is a strong supporting cast for the various members of the workforce in the nightclub.

The Jean Simmons character charms Paul Douglas, alienates Anthony Franciosa who has harsh relationships with women, though a womaniser. Needless to say she falls in love with him and there is a 1950s-style battle of the sexes.

The thing about the Jean Simmons character is that she has the ability to charm everyone, transforming them, complimenting people on their skills, helping the young Hussein Mohammed with his algebra, helping the young dancer to win a cooking competition…

The film has echoes of Damon Runyan-style stories – and the role that Jean Simmons plays is not entirely dissimilar from her role as Sister Sarah the year before in the version of Runyan’s Guys and Dolls.

Robert Wise directs efficiently, as he always did, bringing to life the school as well as the detail of life in the nightclub.

1. A 50s comedy, drama, romance?

2. The Motion Picture Code, skirting language and implications of relationships and sexuality? The role of suggestion?

3. The black and white photography, wide screen, New York City, the school and apartments, the streets, the nightclubs? The musical numbers? Realistic?

4. The club, its look, the patrons, the performances, Ivy and her songs, Patsy and her dance routines? The band, the contribution of the performances to the feel of the club and the times?

5. The family story, the rather restrained young woman, exposed to life in a nightclub, the transformation?

6. Anne’s story, from Massachusetts, going to the city, teaching, her classes, wanting a part-time job, answering the advertisement, the interview with Rocco? Her charming him, her abilities, Rocco and his wanting her as a secretary? Tony and his hostility? The couple with whom she boarded and her concern, even visiting the club worrying about her?

7. Rocco and his age, managing clubs, the association with gangsters but not a gangster, a good guy? His memories? His liking Anne, clashing with Tony, his relationship with Tony and helping him, the part-ownership of the club? His reluctantly letting Anne go and the effect?

8. Tony and his type, no education, from the streets, tough, punching out opponents, the partnership with Rocco, the relationship with Ivy, with the girls, womanising, his motives, his being against Anne, firing her?

9. Crystal, the long years at the club, her love for her daughter, the show business mother, controlling her, the cooking, Crystal’s anger, her change of heart, Patsy’s success? Putting Anne up for the night?

10. The range of people in the club, their response to Anne? Hussein, welcoming her, on Tony’s side, anti, being charmed, the algebra lessons, studying, his passing? Leon, the cook, Anne complimenting him? Patsy and the cooking, her dancing, winning? The head waiter, the lawyer and his having his meals inside, Leon and his being flattered? The journalist and his observations?

11. Anne being sacked, Tony coming to the school, his reaction with the kids? His visit again at the end, control of the class, Anne happy?

12. Anne being in love, returning to the club, going to Tony’s room, the drinking, her choices, Tony’s reaction, her leaving, going to Crystal’s house, Rocco and his concern? The couple and their concern?

13. Anne going to the other club, the job, the crooked owner, Tony coming in, the police raid and the escape?

14. The romantic and happy ending?