Themes: Romantic Misunderstandings, Schemes and Ruses
Main Cast: Claudette Colbert, John Wayne, Don DeFore, Dona Drake, Anne Triola, Phil Brown, Louella Parsons
Release Year: 1946
Country: US
Run Time: 101 minutes
Plot
Without Reservations has to be the least typical John Wayne picture of the postwar era. Top billing is bestowed upon Claudette Colbert as Kit, a best-selling novelist heading westward to oversee the film version of her latest novel. Taking it upon herself to select the man who should portray the hero of her novel, Kit chooses war hero Rusty (John Wayne), whom she meets during her train trip to Hollywood. Unaware of Kit's true identity, Rusty and his pal Dink (Don DeFore) rail against the factual errors in her book. One thing leads to another, and before long Kit, Rusty and Dink have all been thrown off the train for annoying the other passengers. After a hectic stopover at a New Mexico farm, Kit reveals who she really is to Rusty and Dink, who are understandably put out. All is forgiven in the end, of course, with Kit and Rusty altar-bound at fadeout time. The Hollywood scenes feature such guest celebrities as Cary Grant, Louella Parsons and Jack Benny; and yes, that is an unbilled Raymond Burr as Claudette Colbert's dancing partner. Without Reservations was based on Jane Allen and May Livingston's novel Thanks, God, I'll Take it From Here (too bad they couldn't use that title!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Thurston Hall - Henry Baldwin; Frank Puglia - Ortega; Fernando Alvarado - Mexican Youth; Charles Arnt - Salesman; Eric Alden - Chauffeur; Ernest Anderson - Waiter; Louis Austin - Congresswoman; Griff Barnett - Ticket collector; William Benedict - Telegram boy; Lee Bennett - Soldier; John Bleifer - Coal Heaver; Lela Bliss - Mrs. Randolph; Raymond Burr - Paul Gill; William Challee - Flyer advising train porter; Tom Chatterton - Pullman Conductor; Fred Coby - French officer; Frank Dae - Man with Book; Dudley Dickerson - Redcap; Michael Economides; Joel Fluellen - Waiter in Club Car; Lisa Golm - Alma; Cary Grant - Himself; Jesse Graves - Porter; Grayce Hampton - Lois; Henry Hastings - Waiter; Joe Haworth - Marine; Harry Hayden - Randall, Albuquerque hotel clerk; Harry Holman - Gas Station Attendant; Esther Howard - Book club member; J. Louis Johnson - Car Porter; John Kellogg; Cy Kendall - Lawyer; Leona Maricle - Baldwin's Secretary; Junius Matthews - Porter; Sam McDaniel - Train porter; Chef Joseph Milani - Diner Captain; Art Miles - Truck Driver; Marvin Miller - Radio announcer; Henry Mirelez; Charles Moore - Redcap; Dolores Moran - Herself; Billy O'Leary - Candy Butcher; Oscar O'Shea - Conductor; Lorin Raker - Mr. Klotch; Ruth Roman - Bit Part; Erskine Sanford - Tim; Wallace Scott; Bill Shannon; Robin Short; Houseley Stevenson, Sr. - Jailer; Harry Strang - Policeman; Minerva Urecal - Book club member; Nanette Vallon; Blanca Vischer - Mexican Beauty; Frank Wilcox - Jack; Jan Wiley - Manicurist; Ian Wolfe - Gibbs, reporter; Will Wright - Ticket collector; Harold Davis; Tom Hubbard; Mervyn LeRoy - Diner; Jack Parker; Warren Smith; Charles Williams - Louis Burt; Marilyn Buford - WAC; Roger Creed; Peter Michael; Russ Whiteman - Sailor; Jean Wong - Reporter; John Crawford; Jose Alvarado; Tay Dunn - Navy Ensign; Harry Evans; Jon Gilbreath; June Glory - Girl; Paul Gustine - Traveler; Rose Marie Lopez; Bob Pepper - Man; Henry Vroom; Charles Evans - Philip Jerome, Publisher; Charlie Hall - Window Washer; Robert Anderson - Radio Announcer
Credit
Ralph Berger - Art Director, Albert S. D'Agostino - Art Director, Lloyd Richards - First Assistant Director, Mervyn LeRoy - Director, Jack Ruggiero - Editor, Roy Webb - Composer (Music Score), Constantin Bakaleinikoff - Musical Direction/Supervision, Milton Krasner - Cinematographer, Jesse Lasky - Producer, Walter MacEwen - Producer, James Altwies - Set Designer, Darrell Silvera - Set Designer, Russell A. Cully - Special Effects, Clifford Stine - Special Effects, Harold E. Stine - Special Effects, Vernon Walker - Special Effects, Clem Portman - Sound/Sound Designer, Francis M. Sarver - Sound/Sound Designer, Andrew Solt - Screenwriter, Jane Allen - Book Author, Mae Livingston - Book Author
Without Reservations is a 1946 comedy film made by RKO Radio Pictures, directed by Mervyn LeRoy, and adapted by Andrew Solt from the novel "Thanks, God! I'll Take It From Here" by Jane Allen and Mae Livingston.
The opening shot shows "Arrowhead" Pictures motion picture studio. This is the actual RKO Pictures Studio Building at 780 Gower Street in Hollywood, retouched with "Arrowhead" replacing the RKO signs on the building. It remains a historic structure on the corner to this day.
It tells the story of a female author (Kit Madden) who goes to L.A. to work on the film adaptation of her book. On the way, she finds a Marine (Rusty Thomas), who she considers as the best choice for the film character. During their traveling across the country on trains, they encounter various comedic and dramatic situations. But he thinks that she has been using him just so that he would be in the motion picture. Nonetheless, the couple finally resolve their differences.
