Susan Slept Here



Susan Slept Here is a 1954 American romantic comedy film directed by Frank Tashlin and starring Dick Powell (in his last film role) and Debbie Reynolds. Shot in Technicolor, the film is based on the play of the same name by Steve Fisher and Alex Gottlieb. Tashlin later revised the film's plotline and reused it in 1962 for the production Bachelor Flat.

Plot
Mark Christopher (Powell) is a successful thirty-five-year-old Hollywood screenwriter who has suffered from partial writer's block since winning an Academy Award and has been unable to produce a decent script. One Christmas Eve, he receives an unexpected and very unwanted surprise present.

Vice Squad Sergeant Sam Hanlon (Herb Vigran) brings seventeen-year-old Susan Landis (Reynolds) to Mark's luxurious apartment. Susan had been abandoned by her mother and was arrested for vagrancy and hitting a sailor over the head with a beer bottle. Not wanting to keep her in jail over the holidays and aware that Mark was interested in writing a script about juvenile delinquency, the kindhearted cop decides to bend the rules (much to the disapproval of his partner). Hanlon suggests that Susan stay with Mark until her arraignment the day after Christmas.

Mark is naturally appalled, but is eventually persuaded to take the girl in. This doesn't go over too well with his long-time fiancée, Isabella Alexander (Anne Francis), the demanding daughter of a U.S. Senator. Isabella's jealousy grows when Susan develops a crush on Mark. Mark's secretary Maude Snodgrass (Glenda Farrell), his best friend Virgil (Alvy Moore), and his lawyer Harvey Butterworth (Les Tremayne) do their best to keep the situation under control.

When Harvey lets slip that Susan will likely stay in a juvenile detention facility till she is 18, Mark impulsively takes her to Las Vegas and marries her. The marriage, he explains to his friends, will last for just long enough to convince the judge that Susan has made good. To avoid consummating the marriage, he takes Susan out dancing till she collapses with fatigue, and brings her back to Hollywood.

Mark then slips away to a cabin in the Sierra Nevada mountains to work on his script with Maude. The marriage is reported in the newspapers. Enraged Isabella confronts Susan, but is hauled away by Hanlon and his partner.

Some weeks later, Isabella finds Mark in the cabin. She has calmed down, but Mark says he thinks they are not really suited to each other. Susan also arrives, determined to win Mark to a real marriage. She is encouraged and supported by Maude, who still regrets leaving her childhood love behind for an attempted acting career in Hollywood. Susan refuses to sign the annulment papers, while Mark still will not consummate the marriage.

When Susan is seen eating strawberries and pickles, Mark's friend assumes that she is pregnant and tells Mark, causing him to misunderstand that Virgil had impregnated Susan while he's gone. Mark returns to his apartment and hits Virgil in the face before leaving again, later returning after a trip to Harvey's psychiatrist. Susan eventually confesses to Mark that she ate strawberries and pickles because she just likes that combination. Mark has his own confession: he is in love with Susan but is worried by their age difference. Susan tells him all the reasons that they should stay married, and Mark keeps pointing out about their age difference as they go to the bedroom.

Original play
The film is based on the play Susan by Alex Gottlieb and Steve Fisher, which was originally titled A Present for Joe. In July 1951, it was presented in Los Angeles at the Circle Theatre, with Robert Rockwell, Beverly Long and Mabel Albertson who directed it. The Los Angeles Times said the play "should prove the source of amusement for those who know the film town" but "the show doesn't have enough substance to provide an acceptable general entertainment."

Development
Gottlieb wrote a script version and decided to produce.

In July 1952 signed a contract with MGM to borrow Debbie Reynolds to play the lead. In July David Wayne and Dan Dailey joined the cast, with Dailey borrowed from 20th Century Fox to play the male lead. Frank Tashlin agreed to direct and Mickey Rooney replaced David Wayne.

In October 1953 Gottlieb sold the entire package to RKO. Then Rooney and Dailey dropped out due to the fact the film would be shot later. Harriet Parsons was assigned to produce and Robert Mitchum was announced as star. Mitchum, however, refused the role and was penalised $40,000 by RKO for doing so.

Dick Powell, who had been focusing on directing and had just left directing the play The Caine Mutiny Court Martial, agreed to play the lead.

Alvy Moore, who had understudied David Wayne on stage in Mister Roberts, was signed to play the role originally intended for Wayne and then Mickey Rooney.

Anne Francis was borrowed from 20th Century Fox just before being dropped by that studio. She reportedly stated that the film "will probably do more for me than any of the others" because "I'm given the chance to act and not just be a piece of scenery."

Shooting
Filming started December 1953 and finished by January 1954. Reynolds later admitted having "a mad crush on" Dick Powell while making the film. "He taught me common courtesy and to treat my crew and colleagues with equal respect."

Reception
Reynolds liked the film, later stating "that little comedy made $5,500,000, pulled RKO out of the red and then Howard Hughes sold the studio".

Awards
The film was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Music, Original Song ("Hold My Hand" sung by Don Cornell) and Best Sound, Recording (John O. Aalberg).