Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Not part of a collection.
The Hucksters
Gable's New Star is Deborah Kerr (rhymes with star)
A World War II veteran wants to return to advertising on his own terms, but finds it difficult to be successful and maintain his integrity.
- Original title
- The Hucksters
- Language
- EN
- Country
- US
- Budget
- —
- Revenue
- —
CinemaSerf
Jul 7, 2022 · via TMDB
Clark Gable ("Victor Norman") returns from WWII to rekindle his career in advertising. His cunning plan involves the glamorous war widow Deborah Kerr ("Kay"), nervous old ad agency boss "Mr. Kimberly" (Adoplhe Menjou), some considerable perspicacity and a whole load of soap. The latter element is provided by the wonderfully odious "Evan Llewellyn Evans" (Sydney Greenstreet,) the shrewd, but ghastly, owner of the most popular brand of beauty soap for whom Gable engages Kerr to star in an advertisement. Much to everyone's surprise, the entrepreneur rather likes the end product and "Norman" looks like his new, highly paid, career is set fair. Meantime, he has completely fallen for "Kay", but his methods of courtship lack, shall we say, finesse or style! Will he get the big job and/or the girl? Does he even want the big job an/or the girl? Wakeman's novel sets up the shallowness of the advertising industry for a good kicking: it's manipulation of those it considers the "sheep" (i.e us) to buy whatever rehashed nonsense they choose to offer us, is presented in a frequently quite comical - certainly quite cynical - fashion, with Greenstreet superb as the thoroughly unpleasant boss surrounded by his band of acolytes calling out "check" when he seeks their nominal agreement for his decisions. Jack Conway let's the star own the film - the dialogue is quickly delivered; and there is the merest hint of chemistry between him and his new to Hollywood co-star, who could have been doing with a little more substance to her part. Edward Arnold chips in well too, and there is an early outing for keenan Wynn as "Buddy Hare"- the kind of comic that has me reaching for my shotgun! It's a bit on the long side, the story runs out of steam a bit - but its still well worth watching.
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Clark Gable
Victor Albee Norman
Deborah Kerr
Kay Dorrance
Sydney Greenstreet
Evan Llewellyn Evans
Adolphe Menjou
Mr. Kimberly
Ava Gardner
Jean Ogilvie
Keenan Wynn
Buddy Hare
Edward Arnold
David 'Dave' Lash
Aubrey Mather
Mr. Glass, Valet
Richard Gaines
Cooke
Frank Albertson
Max Herman
Douglas Fowley
Georgie Gaver
Clinton Sundberg
Michael Michaelson
Gloria Holden
Mrs. Kimberly
Connie Gilchrist
Betty - Switchboard Operator
Kathryn Card
Miss Regina Kennedy
Lillian Bronson
Miss Hammer - Secretary
Vera Marshe
Gloria, West Coast Secretary
Ralph Bunker
Allison
Virginia Dale
Kimberly Receptionist
Jimmy Conlin
Blake - Blue Penguin Inn Proprietor
John McIntire
Radio Announcer (uncredited)
Robert Emmett O'Connor
Frank - Hotel Doorman (uncredited)
George O'Hanlon
Freddie Callahan (uncredited)
Theodore von Eltz
Radio Voice (uncredited)
Anne Nagel
Teletype Operator (uncredited)
Marie Windsor
Girl on Train (uncredited)
Sam Ash
Man at Inn (uncredited)
William Benedict
Bellboy at Blue Penguin Inn (uncredited)
Harry Cheshire
Joe Lorrison (uncredited)
John Daheim
Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Drew Demorest
Man at Inn (uncredited)
Phil Dunham
Man in Elevator (uncredited)
Almeda Fowler
Woman in Elevator (uncredited)
Mahlon Hamilton
Businessman (uncredited)
Joseph Kearns
Radio Voice (uncredited)
Frank Leigh
Man in Kimberly's Office (uncredited)
Cathy Lewis
Wanda Jean (voice) (uncredited)
Wilbur Mack
Man at Inn (uncredited)
Eddie Marr
Pitch Man (uncredited)
Sammy McKim
Western Union Messenger (uncredited)
Jerry Miley
Second Taxi Driver (uncredited)
Lillian Randolph
Violet (voice) (uncredited)
Jack Rice
Tie Sales Clerk (uncredited)
Gordon Richards
Conrad (uncredited)
Ransom M. Sherman
George Rockton (uncredited)
Mary Stuart
Model in Elevator (uncredited)
Joan Valerie
Receptionist (uncredited)
Chief Yowlachie
Indian (uncredited)
Cedric Gibbons
Art Direction
Edwin B. Willis
Set Decoration
Harold Rosson
Director of Photography
Irene
Costume Supervisor
Sydney Guilaroff
Hair Designer
Eugene Joseff
Other
A. Arnold Gillespie
Special Effects
Jack Conway
Director
Arthur Hornblow Jr.
Producer
Douglas Shearer
Sound Director
George Wells
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Jul 17, 1947
New York City, New York
Aug 27, 1947
