Once Upon a Time (1944)

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

I was going to rate this film four stars but I gave it five stars because it was only 90 minutes long. That's about the only good thing I have to say about it.Cary Grant must have owed someone a favor because I have no idea why he made this horrible movie. The plot was beyond silly, it was insanely predictable and the movie seemed to go on forever.Cary Grant, as always, sold the hell out of his performance as Jerry Flynn. He was the only reason I kept watching this movie. If anyone else had been the star, I would have turned the movie off.This story would probably have made a cute short film (15 minutes or less), but there was just not enough plot to fill 90 minutes.I'm a huge fan of Cary Grant, so I'm glad I saw this movie. However, I don't care to ever watch it again.

Growing up I always remembered the dancing caterpillar named Curly who danced to "Yes, Sir,Thats my baby" I don't remember how old I was when I first saw it or how many times, but I never forgot Curly! I did forget the title and even that it starred Cary Grant. A few years ago I rediscovered Curly in the video store. I rented it and shared it with my daughter. It brought back such memories and now of course I was old enough to enjoy the entire movie! I think I loved it as much as an adult as I had as a child. And so did my daughter. I still sing "Yes, Sir, That's my Baby and always think of Curly dancing. I also think of Curly every time I see a butterfly!

The silly story of a down on his luck Broadway producer and his obsession for a dancing caterpillar is greatly enhanced by the approach of director Alexander Hall and screenwriter Irving Fineman. Hall and Fineman helm the fantasy in a surprisingly straightforward, realistic manner that manages to avoid camp with just the right touch of fantastical whimsy. Further credibility is given by the strong performances of Cary Grant and James Gleason, although Janet Blair and William Demarest are forgettable in one-dimensional roles. Best of all is 11 year old child actor Ted Donaldson, who easily transcends the film's far-fetched premise and almost single-handedly makes one believe a caterpillar can dance!

My dad saw this film at Fort Ord in May, 1944, just before shipping overseas. Pop wrote this in a letter to Mom: "At last, I'll attempt to tell you the story of the show I saw the other night. The name of it was "Once upon a Time" starring Cary Grant, Janet Blair, a little boy of nine, and a caterpillar. It was pure fantasy, but it was as realistic as any boy could know in his world of make-believe. Cary Grant was an unsuccessful owner of a big theater who was about to lose his theater if he didn't pay off a $100,000 debt within a week. He chanced upon two small boys in the street with a box in their hands. When the one boy played "She's my baby now," the caterpillar would raise up to its tail and dance, but would remain motionless to any other tune. Grant immediately spotted the possibilities of saving his theater by exploiting this caterpillar. Grant and the boy go into partnership, numerous events arise which prevent the $100,000 coming to Grant throughout the week. This is as much as I should tell you, for I want you to see the picture. It is moving, sentimental, and the sudden disappearance of "Curly" the caterpillar, brings the show to an abrupt climax. You'll love the boy; he is an example of childhood as I love to see it. Throughout, there is a beautiful philosophy of faith."