The Perfect Specimen is a 1937 film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Errol Flynn and Joan Blondell. The picture is based on a novel by Samuel Hopkins Adams.
The Perfect Specimen | |
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![]() Film poster | |
Directed by | Michael Curtiz |
Written by | Norman Reilly Raine Lawrence Riley Brewster Morse Fritz Falkenstein Story: Samuel Hopkins Adams |
Starring | Errol Flynn Joan Blondell |
Cinematography | Charles Rosher |
Edited by | Terry O. Morse |
Music by | Heinz Roemheld |
Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release date |
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Running time | 97 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $505,000[1] |
Box office | $1,281,000[1] |
It was Flynn's first comedy.[2]
Gerald Wicks, the heir to a large fortune, has never been outside the gates of his childhood estate. He goes on an adventure with newspaper reporter Mona Carter and they fall in love.
Author | Samuel Hopkins |
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Language | English |
Genre | Comedy |
Publisher | New York Liveright Publishing Corporation |
Publication date | 1936 |
Pages | 224 |
The book was based on a novel. The New York Times called it "a trifling little number. It reads like one of those old fashioned farce comedies... hammock reading for a hot afternoon."[3]
The film was Flynn's first comedy starring role and the movie always seems to have been considered a vehicle for him.[4] He made it after holidaying in Europe.[5]
Warners originally sought Carole Lombard or Miriam Hopkins to play against Errol Flynn[6] and for a while it seemed Hopkins was set to co-star. However she turned down the role and Warners decided to look at players assigned to their contract roster. The two leading contenders were Olivia de Havilland and Joan Blondell;[7] it was thought the former was ideal if the role was played in a "romantic" way but the latter should be preferred it they wanted someone "pepful and sparkling".[8] Blondell was cast and filming started in May 1937.
Marie Wilson was meant to play a small role but was assigned to The Great Garrick instead.[9] Dennie Moore replaced Jane Wyman.[10]
Joan Blondell fell ill during filming but recovered.[11]
The New York Times called the film a "light and unaffecting romantic comedy."[12]
May Robson's performance was highly praised in particular.[13]
According to Warner Bros records the film earned $786,000 domestically and $495,000 foreign.[1]