"Cross-Country Romance" (1940)

“Cross Country Romance” (1940) - Intro

Written by: Josh Lansky

TCM’s “The Essentials”

Intro:

Hi everybody, I’m Dave Karger and welcome to Turner Classic Movies. Next up, we continue our showcase of Hedda Hopper film’s. From RKO Pictures in 1940, it’s “Cross-Country Romance.” The film is a romantic comedy, subgenre: A runaway heiress film, a common theme in rom coms of the 1930s and a trend that began with Capra’s hugely successful 1934 film: “It Happened One Night.” The film won the Academy Award for best picture in 1935 and began a new trend. Pretty soon every studio was jumping on board. In 1940 RKO joined the pack with their own runaway heiress film and that was this film. The film tells the story of Dr. Larry Smith, a young and ambitious doctor on a trek from New York to China. Smith is set to work under a distinguished Chinese scientist. Along the way, he stops to deliver a scroll to ditzy socialite, Mrs. North, an honorary trustee of the hospital. Socialite Mrs. North is played by our star of the night tonight, Hedda Hopper, and what a great performance it is. Larry’s unannounced visit interrupts the wedding of Mrs. North’s overindulged daughter, Diane. Diane seizes the opportunity to duck her pending and unwanted marriage by hiding in Larry’s trailer as a stowaway. While on the road, Larry discovers Diane and is determined to get rid of her as soon as possible while Diane hopes to win his heart. For the stars of the film (Wendy Barrie and Gene Raymond) this was their second film they co-starred in together after the 1936 romantic comedy “Love on a bet.” Director of the film, Frank Woodruff, is noteworthy for his enigmatic career. During his short directorial career Frank worked on gangster flicks, musicals, and romantic dramas without specializing in any one genre. From RKO Pictures in 1940 starring Wendy Barrie, Gene Raymond, Hedda Hopper, and a small bit-part, played by future superstar Alan Ladd, Here’s “Cross-Country Romance.” ********

“Cross Country Romance” (1940) - Outro

Written by: Josh Lansky

TCM’s “The Essentials”

Outro:

Hedda Hopper was not just known for her gossip column, Hopper was also known for her regal style and her large elegant hats. The actor and columnist was commonly spotted fashioning one of her large, flamboyant hats, and her large hat collection became her trademark. And when I say a large hat collection, I mean that in terms of both the large amount of hats, and the large hats themselves. Hopper reportedly purchased over 150 new hats a year. But there was much more to Hopper than fashion and silly hats. Just ask Dalton Trumbo, who, after being named a communist by Hopper in one of her gossip columns, had his career essentially ended… or majorly affected. Dalton Trumbo was blacklisted from Hollywood and barred to work in the industry. The screenwriter did continue to write, however, using pseudonyms or using other writers’ names. He never got the proper credit he deserved. For more on that story make sure you check out the 2015 Academy Award winning film, “Trumbo.” Bryan

Cranston is nominated for an Oscar for his performance and Helend Mirren has a great performance as Hedda Hopper. Up next, Robert Forster, Fiona Lewis, Ray Sharkey, and Joanna Cassidy in a 1977 action packed drama.

******* (“Stunts”)