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Once Upon a Time

  • 1944
  • Approved
  • 1h 29m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
Cary Grant, Janet Blair, Ted Donaldson, and James Gleason in Once Upon a Time (1944)
ComedyFamilyFantasy

A cash-strapped theater producer promotes a nine-year-old boy's dancing caterpillar.A cash-strapped theater producer promotes a nine-year-old boy's dancing caterpillar.A cash-strapped theater producer promotes a nine-year-old boy's dancing caterpillar.

  • Director
    • Alexander Hall
  • Writers
    • Lewis Meltzer
    • Oscar Saul
    • Irving Fineman
  • Stars
    • Cary Grant
    • Janet Blair
    • James Gleason
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    1.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Alexander Hall
    • Writers
      • Lewis Meltzer
      • Oscar Saul
      • Irving Fineman
    • Stars
      • Cary Grant
      • Janet Blair
      • James Gleason
    • 34User reviews
    • 11Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos57

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    Top cast99+

    Edit
    Cary Grant
    Cary Grant
    • Jerry Flynn
    Janet Blair
    Janet Blair
    • Jeannie Thompson
    James Gleason
    James Gleason
    • McGillicuddy aka The Moke
    Ted Donaldson
    Ted Donaldson
    • Arthur 'Pinky' Thompson
    William Demarest
    William Demarest
    • Brandt
    John Abbott
    John Abbott
    • Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    Eddie Acuff
    Eddie Acuff
    • Shipyard Worker
    • (uncredited)
    Iris Adrian
    Iris Adrian
    • Theatregoer
    • (uncredited)
    Murray Alper
    Murray Alper
    • Soldier Leaving Theatre
    • (uncredited)
    Kirk Alyn
    Kirk Alyn
    • Attendant
    • (uncredited)
    George Anderson
    • Businessman
    • (uncredited)
    Henry Armetta
    Henry Armetta
    • Barber
    • (uncredited)
    Charles Arnt
    Charles Arnt
    • Fred Stacy - Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    Nelroy Ashley
    • Businesswoman
    • (uncredited)
    Vi Athens
    • Chorus Girl
    • (uncredited)
    William Austin
    William Austin
    • Assistant Hotel Manager
    • (uncredited)
    Art Baker
    Art Baker
    • Gabriel Heatter
    • (uncredited)
    Don Barclay
    Don Barclay
    • Photographer
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Alexander Hall
    • Writers
      • Lewis Meltzer
      • Oscar Saul
      • Irving Fineman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Rita Hayworth was originally assigned the role of Jeannie Thompson, and when she refused to do it, was placed on a nine week suspension without pay by the head of Columbia, Harry Cohn, and subsequently replaced by Janet Blair.
    • Quotes

      Jerry Flynn: What does the public need in times like these? Escape!

    • Alternate versions
      There is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA srl, "ONCE UPON A TIME: L'OTTAVA MERAVIGLIA (1944) + LA MOGLIE DEL VESCOVO (1947) + L'ORRIBILE VERITÀ (1937)" (3 Films on a single DVD), re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Being Ian: Once a Pawn a Time (2005)
    • Soundtracks
      Yes Sir, That's My Baby
      (uncredited)

      Music by Walter Donaldson

      Lyrics by Gus Kahn

      Played often throughout the film

    User reviews34

    Featured review

    Originally, a radio play by Norman Corwin, titled "My Client Curly"

    This was a wonderful radio play Norman Corwin wrote for CBS Radio in the 1940s. It starred Fred Allen, and because it was during the infamous Petrillo Musician's Union Strike, the background music was vocalized by a chorus. I was charmed by it then, but felt then (and now) that the imaginative quality of the radio play would be diminished in a film. I also felt Allen would be far better than Cary Grant in the lead role. But Allen would have sold far fewer tickets.
    • loringm
    • Aug 25, 2003
    • Permalink

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    FAQ14

    • How long is Once Upon a Time?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 3, 1944 (Mexico)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Alexander Hall's Once Upon a Time
    • Filming locations
      • Chaplin Studios - 1416 N. La Brea Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Columbia Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 29 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White(original release)
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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