Trivial Pursuit #114
Trivial Pursuit #114
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#0Trivial Pursuit #114
Posted: 5/1/05 at 8:51am
When The Cole Porter Musical THE GAY DIVORCE was filmed in 1933, the title was changed to THE GAY DIVORCEE.
Why was this change put into effect?
GOOD LUCK, Everybody! 
"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#1re: Trivial Pursuit #114
Posted: 5/1/05 at 8:59am
The Hays Office (the Hollywood Production Code Gurus) decreed that a divorce could never be gay, but that a divorcee could.
Have a great Sunday!
Updated On: 5/1/05 at 08:59 AM
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#2re: Trivial Pursuit #114
Posted: 5/1/05 at 9:04am
Oh, and, it was Astaire and Rogers' first starring film.
Only one song from Porter's stage score was retained in the film, "Night and Day."
Betty Grable has a small part in the "Let's K-Knock K-Knees" number with Edward Everett Horton.
The film was released in October, 1934.
Just thought you'd want to know that, too.
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#3re: Trivial Pursuit #114
Posted: 5/1/05 at 9:11am
Well, Jose' I CERTAINLY appreciate all your FINE information...
HOWEVER, I was looking for a MORE COMPLETE answer to my initial question--but you ARE most definitely on the right track!!!
So, would you care to try to answer my initial question again?
(Oh, and BTW, I thought you might be interested to know that the Hollywood Censorship Office was the HAYES Office--a MINOR point, to, be sure--but I KNOW that you're a stickler for details!)
"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."
#4re: Trivial Pursuit #114
Posted: 5/1/05 at 9:20amWas it because the censors objected to the title, so they just added an 'e'?
Sunchips: Best Kept Secret in the chip aisle!!
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#5re: Trivial Pursuit #114
Posted: 5/1/05 at 9:21am
... I guess Jose' had to step out...
So I throw my question up to the Entire Board:
Can someone "fill in the blanks" and give us a more complete reason as to why the Hayes Office rejected the title THE GAY DIVORCE for the film version of the afore-mentioned Cole Porter musical?
"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."
#6re: Trivial Pursuit #114
Posted: 5/1/05 at 9:21amIf only I could turn on a Fred and Ginger movie right now!
" ...the happiness in the tune convinces me that I'm not afraid."
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#7re: Trivial Pursuit #114
Posted: 5/1/05 at 9:29am
RENT--YES, you GOT IT!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!
YES, the Censors stated that the title THE GAY DIVORCE was unacceptable for the movie's title. RKO (the production company) protested vehemently that many films had used "Divorce" as part of their title.
HOWEVER, the Hayes Office stated THOSE films were dramas and NO MUSICAL could have a title like that. FINALY, they worked out a compromise and both sides agreed that the film be called THE GAY DIVORCEE! (For further details, please see The Astaire/Rogers Book by Arlene Croce.)
CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, Rent!
Now for your bonus points:
What was THE ONLY Cole Porter song from the stage musical THE GAY DIVORCE retained in the film version THE GAY DIVORCEE?
(And P.S. Glebb I wish I was watching an Astaire/Rogers right now, too!) 
"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."
#8re: Trivial Pursuit #114
Posted: 5/1/05 at 9:32am
Oh, is it "Night and Day"?? I LOVE that song 
Sunchips: Best Kept Secret in the chip aisle!!
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#9re: Trivial Pursuit #114
Posted: 5/1/05 at 9:40am
Well, Rent--I LOVE it as well!!!
AND I LOVE Your Answer--Because it is CORRECT!
YES--when the "brilliant" Hollywood Moguls filmed THE GAY DIVORCEE, they DUMPED Cole Porter's MAGNIFICENT score--with the exception of "Night and Day".
BTW, I think its interesting to note that Cole Porter got to write the inspiration to write "Night and Day" when Mrs. John Astor complained at a Dinner Party, "The drip-drip-drip of a faucet is driving me MAD!!!" (American Musical Theatre, by David Ewen)
CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN, Rent!
And your prize?
Well, you want a divorce--but your husband won't give it to you? So, you are going to hire a Gigolo to put you into a Compromising Position so you're husband will be FORCED to give you a Divorce!!!
But, RENT, please don't forget the secret password: "Chance is the Fool's Name for Fate."
Enjoy the rest of your Sunday, folks!!!
"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."
#10re: Trivial Pursuit #114
Posted: 5/1/05 at 9:42am
HUZZAH!! I feel so special! But, M.E., that password is long, can it be changed to something else?
Sunchips: Best Kept Secret in the chip aisle!!
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#11re: Trivial Pursuit #114
Posted: 5/1/05 at 9:44am
"Night and Day":
Like the beat beat beat of the tom-tom
When the jungle shadows fall
Like the tick tick tock of the stately clock
As it stands against the wall
Like the drip drip drip of the raindrops
When the sum'r show'r is through
So a voice within me keeps repeating
You-You-You
Night and day you are the one
Only you beneath the moon and sun
Whether near me or far
It's no matter, darling, where you are
I think of you, night and day
Day and night, why is it so
That this longing for you follows wherever I go?
In the roaring traffic's boom
In the silence of my lonely room
I think of you, night and day
Night and day under the hide of me
There's an, oh, such a hungry yearning
Burning inside of me
And its torment won't be through
Till you let me spent my life making love to you
Day and night, night and day
Music and Lyrics: Cole Porter
Copyright © ASCAP. All rights reserved.
"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
Mary_Ethel
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/6/04
#13re: Trivial Pursuit #114
Posted: 5/1/05 at 9:47am
Well, RENT, you CAN change the password, but all I'm tellin' you, THAT password got Ginger in an AWFUL lot of trouble...
BTW, my favorite quote from THE GAY DIVORCEE--
Mimi: But Hortense, what should I do? How should I act?
Hortense: Be sweet and feminine--if you can blend the two.
"I say YOU'RE the CUTEST one. No, I say YOU'RE the CUTEST One. And we go on like that from dawn to three."
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