CASH McCALL

US, 1960, 102 minutes, Colour.
James Garner, Natalie Wood, Nina Foch, Dean Jagger, E.G. Marshall, Henry Jones.
Directed by Joseph Pevney.

Cash Mc Call is based on a popular novel, the type of novel that was popular around 1960 – glamorous, the world of big business, romance.

The film is an early star vehicle for James Garner who was emerging for a long career both on the small screen and the big screen. Natalie Wood had established herself as a child star and was now taking on more adult roles. Veterans Nina Foch and Dean Jagger as well as E.G. Marshall are strong support.

The film was written by Marion Hargrove, the famous newspaper journalist who went to the war and wrote his memoirs, filmed with Robert Walker as Hargrove in See Here, Private Hargrove. The film was co-written by Lenore J. Coffee who was a regular writer of this kind of lush melodrama. The director is Joseph Pevney, better known for action features and Universal and Paramount during the 1950s.

The film is interesting in its picture of the American dream, the slick young man who imagines he can control everything from business to romance. The film was also interesting in that the goal of his ambitions is a plastics factory (which was to be mocked in Mike Nicholls’ The Graduate in 1967).

1. Interest and entertainment value of the film? A piece of Americana, emphasis on American business? Impact on Americans, non-Americans? The background, interests and ethics of the 1950s? Impact now?

2. The film as a soap opera set in a muddled background? The characters and types, the emotions and the emotional crises? The Philadelphia background, the city contrasting with the country? The music and the stars?

3. The title and the irony of Cash McCall's name? The fact that he was not seen for some time? The impact of the suicide and the lawyer's explanation, the opinions given, Gilmore Clark and his opposition? A build-up to the first sight of Cash McCall? Reactions and judgments? Sharing Clark's reaction?

4. Cash Mc Call as a person, James Garner's style, personable, his ability to deal with people, his business acumen, his knowledge of risks? His working within the confines of legality, his morality, enterprise? What code of ethics did he work by? His relationships with people, his use of people? His straightforwardness and skill in his deals? Was he a hero, a man to be admired?

5. The gradual revelation of his relationship to Lori? His charm towards her, the break, the flight to the countryside and his confession to her? The melodrama of the flashback, genuine? The background of their love, growth in friendship and understanding, the engagement? The intervention of Mrs Kinnard? Lori’s wanting him to assert himself at the end? Her pride in him. the company man?

6. The background of the Austins and Grant Austin's firm? Typical American business, heritage, investment, Lori’s part ownership? The world of money, Austin's wish to sell, his deals and General Danvers' bluff? His sale and his concealing of the truth? The background of the varying companies, their interlocking, questions of stock and cash, paper deals and contracts? Suing and the possibility of people losing their reputation? The pros and cons of this kind of business world? Audience interest in it?

7. The character of Grant Austin, ageing, an inventor? His not giving the full truth to McCall?, his wanting the cash and peace? The background of his patents? His love for his wife, daughter? His reaction to the truth about Mc Call, the threats and the suing? His backing down? A happy ending?

8. The character of Gil Clark and his role in the financial world? His enthusiasm and skill, involvement and sharing McCall's ideals? His skill within the deals? His enterprise at the end with Austin? A credible business character? How likable, admirable?

9. The characterization of the bankers, lawyers, advisors, people at Plastics Conventions etc.?

10. General Danvers and his deals, connections, his being outwitted, his solidifying the company?

11. How appropriate was the melodrama with Mrs Kinnard? Her work at the hotel, her fascination with McCall?, the investigation, her continual presence, her spitefulness with Lort, with Grant Austin? Her final hysteria and Mc Call's treatment of her? Did she fit into the pattern and tone of the whole film?

12. Why are such glossy stories appealing and entertaining? The values that they presuppose in audiences? Do they offer the popular audience any insight Into values and this kind of world?