Customer Reviews

This Could Be the Night [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

How Anne Leeds ever got into a nightclub is an interesting question for historians. Anne is a trusting, well-read schoolteacher who, however unlikely, is opposed to segregating herself from colorful people and risky environs. To prove her point, she takes a job as secretary for Rocco, who runs his club with an ex-hood named Tony.

Work begins roughly. In a club where wives on the phone are not told where their husbands are, Anne and Tony share some bristling exchanges. Rocco, meanwhile, adores Anne. She picks out his ties. He shows off her skill at conversation to his friends. He also begins a trend by calling her "Baby," referring to Anne's good-luck innocence.

Soon the whole club is relying on "Baby" -- for competence and inspiration. There is Patsy, a burlesque dancer who wants to be a chef; Crystal, a semi-nostalgic ex-showgirl who also is Patsy's disapproving mother; Ivy, who investigates Anne's love life (she reports back "No hits, no runs, no errors"); and Hussein, a busboy trying to escape prejudice. Helping this lot requires some energy, but as sweet and misunderstood as they are, they are only a mirror of the movie's real conflict.

The real problem begins when Anne runs into her nickname's limitations. It seems that Rocco and an ever-more-watchful Tony have declared "Baby" off-limits to any man in the club. The two men will even monitor each other: Rocco thinks Tony is unworthy of Anne's trust. Unfortunately, Anne has a separate opinion. She is in love with Tony.

This movie is full of sharp surprises. Jean Simmons as Anne and Tony Franciosa as Tony are wonderful together. We get to see the fierceness of a woman trying to grow into the world and the mixed-up nobility of a man from the streets who needs to prove he has principles. The supporting cast playing "types" are very moving, and the nightclub setting and musical numbers are beautifully shot in black and white.

Anyone who likes comedy or romance and who could use an antidote to all those movies about businessmen ogling dancers, should really consider seeing "This Could Be the Night." Enjoy.

Perfect example of "the kind of movie they don't make any more". Personable cast: Jean Simmons, appealing as always; very charming Tony Franciosa, at the height of his leading man period; old pros Paul Douglas and Joan Blondell providing delightful comic support; workmanlike screenplay by Isobel Lennart (of FUNNY GIRL and LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME). Good chance to see a young Julie Wilson (who burns down the joint in a couple of sizzling songs) and Neile Adams, post-Broadway and pre-retired-Mrs. Steve McQueen. No barnburner, but a nice way to spend a Saturday night with the VCR.

I caught part of this movie by accident on TV, and I just had to go buy me a copy of this wonderful movie, so that I could see the whole thing. The movie is in black and white, and I JUST LOVED IT!

This is a charming story about a very pretty school teacher named Anne, who has left home for the first time in her life to live in the big city! Anne ends up applying for a part-time job as a secretary for a nightclub called The Tonic, and Rocco the owner likes her right away and hires her, but ex-hood Tony, Rocco's part-owner of the club feels totally different about Anne working with them! But Rocco tells Tony that Anne is going to add class to the place, and that he wants her to work at the club, because he likes having her around!

Everyone that works at the nightclub sees right away that Anne is very different and very innocent; especially Rocco, and Ivy the beautiful nightclub singer; so Ivy has a long girl talk with Anne, and Ivy finds out that Anne has never had a boyfriend! When Tony finds out he is very surprised and shaken, because Tony has never been around good girls like Anne before! Rocco nicknames Anne "Baby", and everyone starts calling her Baby! Rocco and especially Tony, start watching over Anne, and Tony becomes very protective of Anne, and keeps all the men away from her, and tries to keep her out of trouble, and demands that everyone show respect around her; but who is going to protect Tony, when Anne starts to fall in love with him!

This is a delightful and charming movie, and there is some great actors in this movie, everyone did a outstanding job! If you are a romantic like me, and love men when they start to act noble, then you will love this movie!