It Happened to Jane (Columbia Pictures) (1959)

(Review) Three of Hollywood’s most delightful entertainers—Doris Day, Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacs— team their comedy talents in Columbia Pictures’ “It Happened to Jane.” The picture, which opened yesterday at the ....... Theatre in Eastman Color, is a rowdy and riotous re-statement of the screen proposition that a little guy may not be able to lick a big guy, but a pretty girl can. The girl in the case is Miss Day, of course, playing a Maine lobstergrower who tangles with railroad tycoon Ernie Kovacs. Lemmon plays Doris’ small town lawyer who also wins: a law suit, election as town selectman, Miss Day. The things that happen to Jane start when one of her mail order lobster shipments goes awry because of the economies in effect on the railroad run by Kovacs. She sues for triple damages; her reputation as a lobster shipper has been ruined. Kovacs balks, obviously planning to outlast a plaintiff whose financial resources are limited. Miss Day reacts by attaching one of Kovacs’ trains. Kovacs promptly gives Doris the train and starts charging her rent for its use of his tracks. Miss Day plays Jane with a lightness of touch that is irresistible. Lemmon, who also provides some of the romance, and Ernie Kovacs, who justly holds a reputation as one of America’s most comical men, match Miss Day laugh for laugh. Steve Forrest co-stars as the newspaper reporter who helps Miss Day finance her “war” by arranging a series of TV appearances for her; they turn her into a national heroine. TV guest stars appearing in “It Happened to Jane” include Bill Cullen, Dave Garroway, Steve McCormick, Jayne Meadows, Garry Moore, Henry Morgan, Bob Paige and Betsy Palmer. Produced and directed by Richard Quine, the Columbia comedy is an Arwin production; Martin Melcher served as executive producer. The film is based on a story by Max Wilk and Norman Katkov; Katkov wrote the screenplay. (Ernie Kovacs) Ernie Kovacs, who stars with Doris Day and Jack Lemmon in Columbia Pictures’ delightful new comedy, “It Happened to Jane,” in Eastman Color at the ........ Theatre, is one of the more affable stars in an industry inclined to be somewhat frenetic. Kovacs’ remarkable versatility and creativity as an entertainer stems from his background of diverse jobs. He has been a summer stock company singer and actor. On radio, he was an announcer, disc jockey, news commentator and script writer. He wrote a daily newspaper column, gags for nightclub comics and songs. He did voices for a movie cartoon outfit. And, recently, he authored a best-selling novel. To play the “heavy” in “It Happened to Jane,’ Ernie had his head shaved and his eyebrows and bushy mustache dyed gray to complete his picture of a selfmade railroad tycoon who tangles with a girl from Maine and her small-town lawyer, and gets licked to a frazzle. (Great Day) Doris Day, starring in the title role of Columbia Pictures’ “It Happened to Jane,” the new comedy in Eastman Color at the..... Theatre, was famous as a band singer before achieving movie stardom. She sang with the Bob Crosby and Fred Waring musical aggregations, but achieved her biggest success with Les Brown. Starred with Miss Day in “It Happened to Jane” are Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacs. Steve Forrest co-stars in the Arwin production produced and directed by Richard Quine. (Mat 2-A; Still No. 9) Columbia Pictures’ “It Happened to Jane” in Eastman Color, the delightful story about a lady, a lawyer and a tycoon, co-stars Doris Day, Jack Lemmon and Ernie Koyaes, right. (Doris Day) There are all kinds of ways of winning national and even international fame. Doris Day did it first as a singer, a top-flight radio and recording star. She did it again in Hollywood, as a musical comedy favorite and as a dramatic actress. Now, in Columbia Pictures’ happy “It Happened to Jane,” in which she co-stars at the iat hs aps Theatre with funnymen Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacs in Eastman Color, Doris “wins” national fame all over again, in still another way. This time, Doris plays a small town girl whose mail order lobster business is badly hurt by the penuries of railroad tycoon Ernie Kovacs. With the help of Jack Lemmon, she sues. And, suddenly, she finds herself an American Joan of Arc, leading the nation’s commuters, TV audiences and newspaper readers in a joyous crusade, entertainment-wise. Doris was born in Cincinnati, O., where her early dancing aspirations were cut short by a nearlyfatal automobile accident. While on the mend from a badly-broken leg, she decided to take voice lessons. She won quick home town recognition with her vocalizing of “Day After Day.” Barney Rapp, a band leader who owned his own club in Cincinnati, engaged Doris to sing at his nitery. Then came dates with other big bands, followed by her big break with Les Brown. Their recording of “Sentimental Journey” became a national hit and led Doris to a Hollywood contract. (Opening Notice) Doris Day, Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacs star in Columbia Pictures’ delightful new comedy in Eastman Color, “It Happened to Jane;” opening =). 5...5.. at het se wtaed: Theatre. Steve Forrest co-stars. TV guest stars appearing in “It Happened to Jane” include Bill Cullen, Dave Garroway, Steve McCormick, Jayne Meadows, Garry Moore, Henry Morgan, Bob Paige and Betsy Palmer. Norman Katkov penned the screenplay from a story written by Max Wilk and himself. Richard Quine produced and directed the Columbia comedy, an Arwin production; Martin Melcher was executive producer. (Lemmon Short) Jack Lemmon, who was the warlock, or male witch, of “Bell, Book and Candle,” stars with Doris Day and Ernie Kovacs in Columbia Pictures’ new “It Happened to Jane?atithetsen acca san Theatre. The romantic comedy, in Eastman Color, has Lemmon shoveling coal to keep a locomotive going, playing a ukelele for a pack of cub scouts, baby-sitting and helping Miss Day run her lobster business. Lemmon plays a lawyer, no less! (Jack Lemmon) Jack Lemmon has been around comedians and comedies long enough to have a few opinions as to what makes people laugh. Currently, he is delighting audiences of Columbia Pictures’ “It Happened to Jane,” also starring Doris Day and Ernie Kovacs at id 0 Seoegaeeiae a Theatre in Eastman Color. Steve Forrest co-stars in the new comedy. “Laughter is just dry tears,” Lemmon says. “One of two things make for comedy. Hither superiority or contrast. If there wasn’t a horse, people wouldn’t laugh at a mule. If a stuffy old dowager with a superiority complex slips on a banana peel and goes down, upsetting her dignity, everybody howls. That’s what made the oldtime comedians like Chaplin and Keaton so great. They epitomized situations in which the ordinary fellow was always being pushed around.” Which, in a nutshell, is the story of “It Happened to Jane.” Doris Day is the “ordinary fellow’ — and very lovely indeed!—who gets pushed around, but not for long. The battle royal which is “It Happened to Jane” makes Miss Day a national heroine. She personifies every individual who ever got pushed around. And the fact that she fights back, and the manner of that fight-back, captures “the laugh pulse of America,” according to Lemmon. Guest stars in “It Happened to Jane” include Bill Cullen, Dave Garroway, Steve McCormick, Jayne Meadows, Garry Moore, Henry Morgan, Bob Paige and Betsy Palmer. (Steve Forrest) A virtual “unknown” two years ago, Steve Forrest now rates as one of Hollywood’s new “young star” crop. Currently, Steve costars in Columbia Pictures’ rollicking comedy, “It Happened to Jane,” which stars Doris Day, Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacs in Eastman Color at the ........ Theatre. Forrest was chosen by the international newsmen of Hollywood for their coveted “Star of Tomorrow” award and his growing popularity with moviegoers has made him one of the most sought-after young leading men in films and VE (Guest Stars) Eight of America’s most popular television personalities guest-star in Columbia Pictures’ new Eastman Color comedy, “It Happened to Jane,” starring Doris Day, Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacs at the Saad Theatre. The TV stars include Dave Garroway, Steve McCormick, Bob Paige, Bill Cullen, Jayne Meadows, Garry Moore, Henry Morgan and Betsy Palmer. (General Advance) Doris Day, filmdom’s top comedienne today, combines with funnymen Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacs in Columbia Pictures’ delightful new Eastman Color romance, “It Happened to Janey opening. 27) at the eet Theatre. A heartwarming, sometimes roistering and always enjoyable story of a girl from Maine who tangles with a railroad tycoon from New York, the new comedy is said to be felicitous entertainment indeed, warm and human and memorable as “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town” and others of that classic vein. The fight starts when a shipment of lobsters from Doris Day is mishandled as a result of railroad tycoon Kovacs’ penny-pinching; Doris wants triple damages, sues and wins. This is too much for Kovacs; he plans an appeal. Doris and her lawyer, Lemmon, attach one of Kovacs’ locomotives. Kovacs promptly gives the dilapidated old engine to the girl but he just as promptly charges her rent when it remains on his tracks. To raise the money, Doris goes on network television. From here on in, “It Happened to Jane” reportedly gets wilder and funnier by the minute. Or, since a railroad is involved, by the mile! “Tt Happened to Jane” offers Miss Day a memorable role, and Hollywood says her performance measures up. Jack Lemmon and Ernie Kovacs, the comedy duo of such films as “Bell, Book and Candle” and “Operation Mad Ball” again appear to advantage in this one. Steve Forrest co-stars as a big town newspaperman who helps Miss Day win national fame, and he also serves as Jack Lemmon’s romantic rival. TV guest stars seen in “It Happened to Jane” include Bill Cullen, Dave Garroway, Steve McCormick, Jayne Meadows, Garry Moore, Henry Morgan, Bob Paige and Betsy Palmer. Richard Quine produced and directed, with Martin Melcher as executive producer of the Arwin production. Max Wilk and Norman Katkov write the original story for “It Happened to Jane” and Katkov penned the screenplay. (Kovacs Short) Ernie Kovacs, who once turned down an important screen assignment because he would have had to shave his mustache, goes completely “bald” for his role as the embattled railroad tycoon in Columbia Pictures’ “It Happened to Jane,” delightful new comedy in Eastman Color at the ......... Theatre. Ernie stars with Doris Day and Jack Lemmon. (Mat 1-A; Still No. 73) Jack Lemmon competes with Sam, the lefthanded lobster, for the affections of Doris Day in Columbia Pictures’ Eastman Color comedy, “It Happened to Jane.” Ernie Kovacs co-stars. DORIS DAY: One of filmdom’s most popular actresses and a top recording star, she has a tremendous fan following in both fields of entertainment and her name rates primary importance in exploiting “It Happened to Jane.” e Radio deejay promotion offering guest tickets for postcards listing most previous Doris Day films. e Invite all local “Days” as guests of the star. e Post file stills of Miss Day’s other films for lobby guessing contest. e Contact local Doris Day Fan Club for group attendance and interviews. e Plant large postcard in lobby, addressed to Doris Day with patrons signing message: “Dear Doris, We Loved You as Jane!” JACK LEMMON: Academy Award winner for his work in Mr. Roberts,” Jack Lemmon stars as a small town lawyer, a Boy Scout leader and sweetheart of Doris Day in the picture, another unusual role for this actor who has a wide following among fans. Go after a statement from local scout headquarters praising Lemmon for his portrayal and a note signed by all members. Have contestants list previous Lemmon films in deejay sponsored stunt and give his stills prominent display. Also, ask local Bar Association members what they think of Lemmon’s performance as a lawyer, as well as what they think of the legal shenanigans which help spark much of the film’s fun. Go after radio/TV forums on the film. » Famed TV comedian Ernie Koy: h ERNIE KOVACS: oe omedian Erni ovacs who has gained new success as a screen actor, enjoys one of his funniest roles as a tough railroad tycoon, starred with Doris Day and Jack Lemmon in “It Happened to Jane.” Let his fans know of his return appearance in the picture, via still distributions, “Ernie Kovacs’ cigars,” inviting critics and VIP’s to the show, TV imitation contests, ete. Kovacs went almost completely bald for his “It Happened to Jane” role. If your newspaper carried the syndicated story, reproduce it for lobby display. Use Still Nos. EK 1, EK 4, EK 6, and see if any TV program will sponsor—for guest tickets—a similar haircutting routine! THE SCOUTS Boy, Girl and Cub Scouts figure importantly in the story of “It Happened to Jane,” with Doris Day playing a den mother and Jack Lemmon a scoutmaster. Miss Day also sings a song dedicated to the Boy Scouts of America, “Be Prepared.” Promotions with your local scout groups can be valuable: e Stage special shows for Boy, Girl and Cub Scout groups, to march to the theatre, with band, if any. e Special Boy Scout honorary membership in local troop to be sent to Doris Day, signed by the membership. e Scout demonstrations at the theatre, exhibits of their work, etc. e Opening night ceremonies with scout color guard participating. e Set up an official presentation of Columbia Records’ 45 EP of the Doris Day song, “Be Prepared,” to scout representatives. e Use Still Nos. 6, 8 and 32 for tie-ins, displays, etc. THE TITLE The picture title has a number of good exploitation possibilities that should be explored fully in your campaign on “It Happened to Jane.” e Florist tie-up, with Jane jonquils and other flowers presented to all “Janes” in town. e Newspaper story on the meanings of “Jane” and other names. e Interview “Janes” who made good locally. e Deejay postcard write-in of other motion picture titles with a single girl’s name. e Lifetime theatre pass for local “Jane” born during the picture’s engagement. ¢ Most “Janes” written on postcard to win guest ticket prizes. e Write-in contest for local residents’ most unusual experience, based on phrase: “Jt Happened to Me!” e Awards for most movie titles beginning “It Happened to . . . © Most four-letter words to be made from picture title submitted to cooperating deejay for guest ticket prizes. ” PAGE 7