Reaching for the Moon (1930)

Director:

Edmund Goulding

Writers:

Irving Berlin (story)
Edmund Goulding (written by)

Release Date:

21 February 1931 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Music | Romance

Plot:

Wall Street wizard, Larry Day, new to the ways of love, is coached by his valet. He follows Vivian Benton on an ocean liner...

Plot Keywords:

Valet | Ocean Liner | Cocktail | Southhampton England | Bankruptcy

Cast

Douglas Fairbanks	...	Larry Day
Bebe Daniels	...	Vivien Benton
Edward Everett Horton	...	Roger, the Valet
Claud Allister	...	Sir Horace Partington Chelmsford
Jack Mulhall	...	Jimmy Carrington
Walter Walker	...	James Benton
June MacCloy	...	Kitty, Aero Girl With Long Earrings
Helen Jerome Eddy	...	Larry's Secretary
Bing Crosby	...	Bing

Also Known As:

Lucky Break (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

USA:74 min (shortened version) (songs deleted) | USA:91 min (original release) | Canada:66 min (Ontario)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.20 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Canada:G (Ontario) | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

United Artists Studios - 7200 Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Joseph M. Schenck Productions

Trivia:

Irving Berlin walked off the production and returned to Manhattan after arguing with writer-director Edmund Goulding over the movie's concept. In later years, Mr. Berlin, who had received story credit, would angrily condemn the film as released.

Quotes:

Roger: There's a vast difference, sir, between the art of making money and the art of making... a lady.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Wind at My Back: A Ghost of a Chance (#2.10)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

REACHING FOR THE MOON

Fabulous Fairbanks lights up the screen.

Looking at this film it is impossible to understand why Douglas Fairbanks never made it as a talkie actor. He really is splendid as a high-flying businessman who gives it all up for love. Energy to burn and still striking to look at (at 48 years old - he even has a shirtless scene) his star presence is undiminished by words. But the words are actually pretty good - the film is based on an Irving Berlin musical, but only one song remains (and that is sung for no apparent reason in the middle of the film, by a baby-faced Bing Crosby.)

Also good is Bebe Daniels as an aviatrix and especially fine is Edward Everett Horton as Fairbanks' valet. Their rapport and obvious affection for one another is very touching and provides for some great comic moments.

And the art deco sets are to die for!