Four's a Crowd

For the Spanish film, see Four's a Crowd (2022 film).

Four's a Crowd is a 1938 American screwball comedy film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Errol Flynn, Olivia de Havilland, Rosalind Russell and Patric Knowles. The picture was written by Casey Robinson and Sig Herzig from a story by Wallace Sullivan. This was the fourth of nine films in which Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland appeared.^[1]

Four's a Crowd
Directed by	Michael Curtiz
Written by	Wallace Sullivan (story)
Screenplay by	Casey Robinson Sig Herzig
Produced by	Hal B. Wallis
Starring	Errol Flynn Olivia de Havilland Rosalind Russell Patric Knowles
Cinematography	Ernest Haller
Edited by	Clarence Kolster
Music by	Eddie Durant Ray Heindorf M. K. Jerome Heinz Eric Roemheld
Production company	Warner Bros.
Distributed by	Warner Bros.
Release date	August 4, 1938 (1938-08-04) (U.S.)
Running time	92 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Plot

Reporter Jean Christy works for a newspaper in danger of being thrown away by its young owner, Pat Buckley, after Buckley has a falling-out with the editor-in-chief, Robert Lansford. Meanwhile, Lansford hopes to gain tycoon John Dillingwell's business for his public relations firm, and uses his position at Buckley's paper to drum up good press for Dillingwell. In the process, he discovers that Dillingwell's granddaughter Lorri is Buckley's fiancée. Lansford decides to try to charm Lorri, while Christy makes a play for Buckley.

Cast

• Errol Flynn as Robert Kensington "Bob" Lansford
• Olivia de Havilland as Lorri Dillingwell
• Rosalind Russell as Jean Christy
• Patric Knowles as Patterson "Pat" Buckley
• Walter Connolly as John P. Dillingwell
• Hugh Herbert as Silas Jenkins, Justice of the Peace
• Melville Cooper as Bingham, Dillingwell's butler
• Franklin Pangborn as Preston
• Herman Bing as Herman, a barber
• Margaret Hamilton as Amy, Dillingwell's housekeeper
• Joseph Crehan as Butler Pierce
• Joe Cunningham as Ed Young
• Gloria Blondell as Gertrude, Lansford's 1st secretary
• Carole Landis as Myrtle, Lansford's 2nd Secretary

Production

The film began with the working title of "All Rights Reserved",^[2] and was supposedly based on the career of noted public relations man Ivy Ledbetter Lee, who worked for the Rockefeller family.^[3] The film's title was changed to Four's a Crowd in February.^[4]

Warner Bros. borrowed Rosalind Russell from MGM for the film.,^[3] replacing Bette Davis, who wished to take six weeks of a holiday before starting on Comet Over Broadway.^[5] William Dieterle, originally slated to direct the film,^[2] was also moved to Comet Over Broadway at the same time.^[6]

Edmund Goulding directly turned down directing it, before it was finally assigned to Michael Curtiz.^[3] Although principal photography went 12 days over the allotted time due to this switching in directors, Curtiz still managed to bring it in $12,000 under budget.^[3]

Release

With the success of The Adventures of Robin Hood, Errol Flynn was concerned about being typecast as a swashbuckler, and convinced Warner Bros. to cast him in other types of films, specifically screwball comedies.^[3] However, Four's a Crowd was not a success at the box office, and encouraged Warner Bros. to keep Flynn in action roles.^[7]