The Devil and Miss Jones

Mary and the millionaire (OT: The Devil and Miss Jones ) is an American comedy film from 1941 with Jean Arthur, Charles Coburn and Robert Cummings, directed by Sam Wood. The film is one of the few U.S. productions of the time, representing the trade union activities of employees positively.

Action

John P. Merrick is the richest man in the world, but also one of the most hated. He is blamed for countless harassment of its employees and is continuing goal of industrial action. One day he has enough of it to always be only the villain and decides to " undercover" as a shoe salesman to work in one of his stores. His plan is to expose the agitators and dismiss. He quickly finds the confidence of Mary Jones and her boyfriend Joe, who are very actively involved in the union. By the way, Mr. Merrick loses his heart to Elizabeth Ellis, a saleswoman in the more mature youth. Pretty soon, recognizes Merrick, however, that complaints of employees shall be entitled, for the management treated the workers with exquisite malice. A restructuring of the senior management eliminates the problem and Mr. Merrick invites all employees to accompany him and the newly crowned Mrs. Merrick, the former Elizabeth Ellis on a luxury cruise to Hawaii.

Background

Jean Arthur was promoted to a specialist in popular comedies since her breakthrough in 1936 and is now the only real star, the Columbia Pictures had an exclusive contract. However, the relationship between Arthur and the studio boss Harry Cohn was completely shattered. The permanent dispute flared up less in the offered roles - Arthur played exclusively in A- productions with top directors like George Stevens and Frank Capra with - but on the payment. Jean Arthur was bound by a long-term studio contract and cashed for her appearances much too small in their eyes sum of U.S. $ 50,000, while her co-stars like Cary Grant partially deserved double. The only way out was to make use of a clause in the contract use, which allowed it Arthur, also rotate films outside of Columbia. Together with her husband, Frank Ross and screenwriter Norman Krasna she founded in 1941 by Frank Ross Norman Krasna, Inc.. Films should be independently produced and distributed by RKO Pictures.

The first collaboration was Mary and the millionaire. Jean Arthur and director Sam Wood gave up a fixed salary in return for a share of profits. Charles Coburn has been nominated for his performance for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and played in the subsequent period twice on the side of Jean Arthur, including the comedy The More the Merrier, in 1943 won him an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor The bulky However, the topic prevented a really big success at the box office. The lack of response was a big disappointment especially for Frank Ross, the great expectations had put into the project.

Awards

At the Academy Awards in 1942, the film received nominations in the categories:

  • Best Supporting Actor (Charles Coburn )
  • Best Original Screenplay (Norman Krasna )
1941 in film Frank Ross (producer) Film score Roy Webb Harry Stradling 14th Academy Awards Paid (1930 film) Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939 film) Our Town (1940 film) Kings Row Ivy (Film) Ambush (1950 film)
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