Red, Hot and Blue (1949)

Interesting facts

Red, Hot and Blue is a 1949 American musical comedy crime film directed by John Farrow. The film stars Betty Hutton and Victor Mature, with William Demarest, June Havoc, Jane Nigh, Frank Loesser, William Talman, Art Smith, Raymond Walburn, Onslow Stevens and Joseph Vitale. Produced and released by Paramount Pictures, Loesser makes his film debut as gangster Hair-Do-Lempke. Loesser also wrote the songs.

Production

The film was originally called The Broadway Story. It was the second film from Pioneer Pictures, a recently formed independent production company. Charles Lederer wrote the script based on stories provided by such Broadway columnists as Dorothy Kilgallen, Louis Sobol, Danton Walker and Earl Wilson. It was to start filming October 1, 1948, following the production of Pioneer's first film, Kingsblood Royal, based on the novel by Sinclair Lewis.

However Pioneer ended up selling the project to Paramount Studios in September 1948 as a vehicle for Betty Hutton. Frank Tashlin was hired to rewrite the script. Robert Fellows was to produce and John Farrow to direct. It was Hutton's first film in two years.

The film was retitled Restless Angel. Ray Milland was going to star, but it was decided to loan him out to Fox; his role was taken by Victor Mature, who had just made Samson and Delilah for Paramount. Mature and Hutton had not previously acted together and Paramount hoped this novelty would prove attractive at the box-office.

The title was changed again to Red Hot and Blue. Filming started January 10, 1949.June Havoc was cast after Betty Hutton saw her appear on stage in Rain. Frank Loesser made his acting debut, as a gangster, and wrote four songs. Filming ended in March 1949.

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