Once Upon A Time

Based on a radio play by Norman Corwin (from an idea by Lucille Fletcher Herrmann), this film should have stayed a radio play. Attempting to expand it to a film was a mistake, despite the frantic attempts by Grant and the rest of the cast to elevate it to a passable farce. Grant is a quick-witted producer in grave financial trouble. His theater is about to be shuttered and he doesn't know what to do. Standing on a New York street, he throws a nickel over his shoulder and it's picked up by Donaldson (making his debut). The young lad carries a shoe box and opens it to show Grant a caterpillar that dances when Donaldson plays "Yes Sir, That's My Baby." Grant thinks he...