Susie Steps Out

1946 film by Reginald Le Borg

December 13, 1946 (1946-12-13)

Running time

65 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglish

Susie Steps Out is a 1946 American comedy film directed by Reginald Le Borg, written by Elwood Ullman and Fred Freiberger, and starring David Bruce, Cleatus Caldwell, Nita Hunter, Howard Freeman, Grady Sutton and Margaret Dumont. It was released on December 13, 1946 by United Artists.^[1]^[2]

Plot

Jeffrey Westcott is a popular singer represented by Mr. Starr's advertising agency. He is attracted to Clara Russell, a secretary at the agency.

Clara and her 15-year-old sister Susie are concerned because their father, a cello player, is unable to work. Susie lies that she is 19 and lands a job singing in a nightclub. Jeffrey goes to the club with Starr sees that the girl is underage, though he is unaware that Clara is her sister. He takes her home, where Clara finds him and mistakenly accuses him of improper behavior.

Starr's wife believes that he is having an affair with his secretary and has Clara is fired. Susie confronts her and explains all.

Cast

David Bruce as Jeffrey Westcott
Cleatus Caldwell as Clara Russell
Nita Hunter as Susie Russell
Howard Freeman as Mr. Starr
Grady Sutton as Dixon
Margaret Dumont as Mrs. Starr
Percival Vivian as Papa Russell
Joseph J. Greene as Bailey
John Berkes as Wilkins
Harry Barris as Ned
Emmett Vogan as Dr. Hennings
Syd Saylor as Biegelman
Shelley Winters as Band Singer

Production

Susie Steps Out was the first of director Reginald LeBorg’s projects for Comet Pictures, produced by Charles “Buddy” Rogers and Ralph Cohn. Rogers and Cohn conceived of the film as a “B” picture, providing a second feature for double-feature screenings.^[3] LeBorg, who had proved his efficiency in delivering low-budget features on schedule and under-budget for Universal Pictures was considered the ideal choice to direct.^[4] Suzie Steps Out was shot in 15 days.^[5]

The nightclub setting was particularly appealing to LeBorg. A prolific director of “ soundies,” and an accomplished pianist, he “loved to be associated with any project that involved music.”^[6] Susie Steps Out includes songs by Hal Borne and Eddie Cherkose.^[7]

Retrospective appraisal

Characterizing the film as a “cheerful, yet unremarkable feature,” film historian Wheeler W. Dixon merits LeBorg for for the “deft”handling of the actors, and “bringing his usual glossy professionalism to the musical sequences.”^[8]

Notes

^ "Susie Steps Out". TV Guide. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
^ "Susie Steps Out (1946) - Overview - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
^ Dixon, 1992 p. 23-24
^ Dixon, 1992 p. 23-24
^ Dixon, 1992 p. 67: LeBorg in interview with Dixon, 1988.
^ Dixon, 1992, p. 24: See here for LeBorg, playing from memory Miklos Rosza’s score for Alfred Hitchcock’s Spellbound (1945).
^ Dixon, 1992 p. 24
^ Dixon, 1992 p. 24

References

Dixon, Wheeler Winston. 1992. The Films of Reginald LeBorg: Interviews, Essays, and Filmography. Filmmakers No. 31 The Scarecrow Press, Metuchen, New Jersey. ISBN 0-8108-2550-3