ROBERT PRESTON: “THE NIGHT OF JANUARY 16TH” (1941)

[PLEASE READ] "Who killed Bjorn Faulkner?" This movie is a curiosity piece for viewers to compare and contrast with writer Ayn Rand’s smash Broadway play. Admirers of the latter will note how quickly the differences outweigh the similarities. For example, you will not find references to, er, orange daiquiris or the children’s song “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” in Miss Rand’s play. I think most discerning viewers will agree with me that the movie certainly has value as entertainment, but NOT as a faithful screen adaptation of an original work of art. However, Robert Preston (“The Music Man”) is brisk and engaging as “the hero,” Ellen Drew (“Christmas in July”) is credible and beautiful as “the damsel in distress,” and Nils Asther (“The Bitter Tea of General Yen”) is a suitably cold “villain.” Actor Cecil Kellaway and comedian Cliff Nazarro also make brief and humorous appearances. Distinguished Hollywood writer/director Delmer Daves contributed to the script. The film premiered in American theaters on November 28, 1941.
IMPORTANT: This is a video sampler of goodwill and great admiration. If you are a professional and want credit I've neglected to give OR prefer that I delete this video, please let me know. Thank you.

[@martinepstein3332]

Great film, love the drunk Cecil Kellaway in the 50th minute. Love the petrol pump attendant as well

[@The-F.R.E.E.-J.]

EXCELLENT! Writing, plot, story, execution by the actors, ALL simply exquisite 👍👍

[@bennie613]

This has become my favorite movie of all time !!!! (Born January 16, 1958)

[@witchingours4432]

Robert Preston was the best Harold Hill - ever, on stage or screen. His patter songs are dazzling and his 76 trombones is electrifying.

[@db2637]

I’m not old!!!! I love these!!!

[@SarahHannah7]

“Hello on the fifth floor, and honey on the first.” “Good thing you didn’t take ‘em to the basement.” 😂. Just wonderful! Great film, much appreciated!

[@mysteriesoflife64]

for 1941 with only the script and actors and no crazy technology, this is a pretty good movie.

[@wayupnorth9420]

Thanks for the great movie

[@kvnmcinturff1]

It's January 16th 2020. So I decided to take a peek. BTW, I played the judge in this play in High School. 😊

[@gregorymcleod1347]

I love the old movies! I love seeing the actors and actresses from the past! Ellen Drew such a beautiful lady! A young Robert Preston was so good to see! Fun movie 🎥! So entertaining and enjoyable to watch!

[@Prof.Tarfeather]

This was a wonderful well written film.Robert Preston was a Great actor and Comedian. Thanks for sharing.

[@lc7604]

What a delightful little film. Thank You...

[@patdoyle3686]

GREAT MOVIE 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 the Garage attendant⛽⛽⛽ scene was awesome 🌟

[@b.b.finsclara3589]

Thanks for making these old films available. I enjoy them!

[@ofishdolt1978]

Thanks also to those peoples whom make these old film at that time for the future peoples.

[@MaverickSeventySeven]

Excellent film for a cosy Saturday night in!!! Thanks for uploading!

[@DAUGHTEROFBABYLON]

I'm the better part of a century old, surrounded by siblings, the Saturday nights of "a cosy " are are in my memory only, but I sure miss them. Thank You, and God Bless You! www.sez33.com

[@ph2492]

I'm watching now but a year later.

[@unitedservice2033]

Thank you for the movie, I appreciate these classics.

[@beeferish]

Thank you. I loved him The Music Man! I actually had an opportunity to meet and harmonize with the 4 guys who Preston got together to sing in the movie. Long ago. Thanks again for finding this piece of gold for us

[@billybob9961]

Wow that is great

[@SarahHannah7]

Terry Le B: What a grand experience it must have been. Thanks for sharing it!

[@lindamcdermott2205]

Cool!

[@653j521]

Second time we got to see him in handcuffs with his gal. :)

[@tangotwo73]

Charming movie! Such a treat to see a very young Robert Preston.

[@venkatreddy5748]

I, Don't want people saying OLDMOVIES are GOLD they are more than that perhaps PRICELESS.

[@victorireland8913]

Sustained enjoyment from start to finish. Wonderfully spirited performances by cast. Witty dialogue delivered with fine timing. It went too quick. I was good for another dose when it ended . Thanks for the treat.

[@peanut24cute49]

I love these old murderers mysteries!!

[@joerogers2039]

I can watch them ove and over

[@ofishdolt1978]

Not sure if I should admit this in publics, but I have loved some mysterious murderers.

[@maritzaagosto1793]

Not only that love Robert Preston's acting , I especially love his singing ....so charming .

[@suzette7849]

Really enjoyable film. Thanks for the upload

[@adolfmussolini996]

What a fun movie. Real comedy. No filth. Great films back then

[@dannygillingham7904]

Simply the best, so yes, I totally agree with you on that.

[@lesizmor9079]

Adolf, you have a twisted sense of what filth is. A man takes the life of another, for money, and that's apparently OK, but vulgar words on paper are "filthy". Adolf, before you say "but it's just a movie, no one was killed" let me point out that movies with blue language are also just movies. Grow up & get real, man.

[@chrystalsnow145]

I am watching this movie on the night of January 16th 😮

[@RobSinclaire]

See the Play, it's Wonderful! One thing out of many: Miss Rand came up with idea to have the Jury (in the Trial scene) selected at random from the audience so that the outcome of the Trial/Play (the ending) was 'dependant upon the Value Judgements of those attending the performance...'

[@SarahHannah7]

Rob S: Now that’s what I call improv! Brilliant idea!

[@marcmitchel25]

​@@SarahHannah7Her mind was just unparalleled.

[@nameskhar1510]

I love this film many thanks for sharing.

[@GGray-gg4yn]

Better than average old film !

[@terrencepeterritchie3632]

Brilliant. A really swell movie and mystery. Lots of humour too. ****

[@tinklvsme]

I love old movies, you can tell by the music it will be good. 🍿🤓👍👀

[@cantehondo]

Yes, the musioc was good.

[@cantehondo]

Whoops, meant to type 'music.'

[@leesullivan98]

The old movies are the best, and guess you have to be old to appreciate them lol, thanks for the post! I love RP

[@shanasavage7450]

I only watch old movies and adore them!!!💜 I don't feel like I'm that old! I'm 39 and I totally appreciate them!!😍

[@nancymarriott1537]

All actors give of their best regardless of the year I appreciate their efforts

[@johnlorenzen4633]

@@shanasavage7450 good for you!

[@karmababy34]

My go to is black & white movies of all kinds and I’m 32. Hehe. Guess I might be a old soul.

[@johannesbluemink4581]

I only know Ayn Rand from her brilliant book 'The Fountainhead', and I can tell you the book is much better than the movie. I'll have a look at this one later. Thanks for the upload!

[@bobdownes162]

A combination of Drama and Comedy that works well together.

[@sjr7822]

I've always had a fondness for Clarence Kolb played Tilton " Mr. Honeywell in the television sitcom My Little Margie (1952

[@Lilly-fi9jg]

I loved Robert Preston in, "Semi- Tough". He was also a great comedian.

[@johnlorenzen4633]

Robert Preston has an endearing boyish quality. and his unique rapid fire voice adds to this charm. The music man is simply a more mature role for him but still elfin.

[@rogerjenkinson7979]

He was great as a cowboy but I can't remember the name of the ilm!

[@gulmerton2394]

Only the music, so characteristic of the era, puts you in the mood..

[@knibscratch]

Got better as it went along .. great 1940's supporting cast too ... Thanks for posting

[@timtran7756]

goodmovie

[@DavidRice111]

LOVE the gas-guy!!

[@lindaname9413]

They almost did not let Robert Preston play the Music Man. He was only known for the b movies and film noir. A great actor.

[@wallylkonstanty7734]

2 minutes and 48 seconds to go from ground floor to the penthouse? Must seem like an eternity.

[@SarahHannah7]

Wally K: I thought the very same thing! Only a rare person might tolerate that speed these days.

[@gwayne919]

Preston , a favorite of many who grew up with his acting.

[@homebrewer7]

Thank you for posting this

[@RobSinclaire]

Thanks for posting and for your remarks

[@gisawslonim9716]

Robert Preston's greatest film role was in "Victor, Victoria" with Julie Andrews. And what a great film that is!!

[@nickandmikec]

Preston's greatest role was in "The Music Man" as Professor Harold Hill.

[@martinepstein3332]

No the Music Man

[@Alan-rh1el]

An entertaining film but with a tighter script and a director like Hitchcock it would have been a very entertaining thriller. Will try and find the book for comparison,thanks for posting.

[@barrygrant2907]

Nice old school entertainment. Always like Preston.

[@laurakibben4147]

Upon reading the description, I only care to add that 85% or more book or play to movie adaptations have things changed, added or taken from for the variety of reasons they feel the need to do so. Most people probably aren't even aware a movie came from a book a large portion of the time, myself included. And some, even if avid readers/book lovers find out after seeing the movie don't necessarily want to compare the differences.

[@nickandmikec]

Alice White, 41:12 in. A small role but notable. She was once a flapper girl and very popular.

[@waderaney7]

Cute Alice White,always been a good colorful actress😉

[@debnicometo232]

That was a real young Rod Cameron in the mix there.

[@SarahHannah7]

Deb N: Nice catch! :-)

[@hudsony777]

Who is Rod Cameron?

[@nancysanders2398]

goldstandard$ Thanks4 showing this unique film.Ending came about rather abruptly,didn't it? I nearly didn't recognize Mr.Preston! Fast moving story& I suppose the man killed was person who brought phony passport?

[@williamcerar7308]

That’s my birthday man!!!!

[@simondisawari4185]

I enjoyed watching this film. Now that I know that it was based on a stage play I can see some small scenes that possibly give that away. I guess that its one of those situations when a film is made of a book that one has already read or a play that one has previously enjoyed watching at a theater, there will always be that natural desire to make comparisons. As I will never see the play I am more than happy that I have been given the opportunity to watch this delightful movie.

[@denisenoe3702]

The play is by Ayn Rand. The film takes many liberties in plot.

[@orsoncorwin7361]

​@@denisenoe3702Isn't that the truth---

[@latu8923]

I love that gas station guy. Police: which way did they go? Attendant: they went up that way, Police: are you sure? Sure, I'm sure brother. Maybe that will learn them a little manner." He is so funny...lol

[@marklentine8793]

Wonderful job. Thank you!

[@Gkuljian]

This really has elements of North By Northwest in it.

[@vernalc2449]

What a great, witty, wonderful, funny whodunit!

[@beverley8987]

real movie fun and relaxing ' perfect' '

[@kvnmcinturff1]

I was in this play in High School. I played the part of the judge. When the jury found the defendant guilty, I got to sentence her to death by hanging. The actress playing the part of Karen Andre actually burst into tears. Fun times.

[@xmaseveeve5259]

OH, CHEERS, SPOILER.

[@ClassicActresses]

Thanks for sharing this movie! I've wanted to see it for a long time. 1920s flapper Alice White has a small role :-)

[@mioffer1]

Enjoyably atmospheric, especially the slight missing frames during movement. Working man as hero, lively down to earth girl preferable to beautiful aristocrat, a real night out for me & a 1940's audience. United Statesian couple challenge law & judiciary.

[@stephaniehand503]

Wonderful movie

[@danielmccabe1933]

I thought for a brief moment that the statue at the beginning ('murder weapon' ) was a serendipitous allusion to 'Atlas Shrugged'. I could have sworn there was an 'Atlas' below that globe!

[@HeidemarieZeyfangBeck]

Really liked this show!!

[@catcook3324]

Great to see Nils Asther (Faulkner), great silent star from the 1920's who is as handsome as ever in this movie 20 years after his prime. Also another silent star Alice White who had the bit part of the girl in the elevator that Preston wanted to pay 10 bucks to.

[@karinteves1412]

THE SAILOR LIGHTS HIS CIGAR IN A SMALL ENCLOSED ROOM AND NO ONE THREATENS TO CALL THE THOUGHT POLICE FOR VIOLATING THEIR AIRSPACE. AHHH, THE GOOD OLD DAYS.

[@lindaname9413]

yeah, mouth cancer, throat cancer, heart disease. The good old days.

[@TheMoonflwr671]

karin teves yeah, the good old days when someone else’s cigarettes could kill YOU. Are you crazy?

[@JC-gw3yo]

A fun movie with an old fashioned loving ending

[@deby5983]

+goldstandard$ Great upload, great contrast/comparison. Thank you much!

[@goldstandard1568]

Great comment. I appreciate you taking the time to write it!

[@RideoutMr]

LUV IT !!!!!!!

[@janejames9173]

Good movie❤️❤️

[@fredroberts316]

Love the interior design!!

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

Perhaps I am the only old fogey to know the original playwright was Ayn Rand. Love her works, despise them. After re-reading her since I stole her books (later returned) from small town library, must admit one thing. Miss Rand, with her Russian heritage, must take her place among great American thinkers. By gosh, she did it on her own, though the written word of best selling novels.

[@patrickdsouza1183]

Beautiful movie

[@Moronvideos1940]

Nothing like those good old movies. The culture of America today is sick.

[@darwinblinks]

Who's watching this on Jan 16, 2019?

[@darwinblinks]

and now on Jan 16, 2021?

[@darwinblinks]

Who's watching this on Jan 16, 2024?

[@richardw3470]

I loved Robt Preston in Victor/Victoria--a hilarious movie. And, didn't he play the friend in Whispering Smith--a sad movie?

[@barbaravick5634]

Thank you for posting this, I'd never seen it before and enjoyed it very much. I was curious though when it was actually made. Preston plays someone who got out of the Navy in Jan. of 42. That didn't much happen then nor could you rent a private plane and scoot off to Cuba on ten minutes notice. LOL

[@candacegladden5313]

They was a great gem even though u knew who it was it was a great watch and the little old man playing the drunk can't remember his name but what a great actor he was had me fooled lol thanks for posting this for us to watch

[@louiseross5033]

Cecil Kellaway played Oscar the Drunk

[@madderhat5852]

Loved the Bruce Wayne penthouse

[@terrancebigham6765]

Delmer Daves penned many a screen play before becoming a writer-director himself, with such films as "Dark Passage" and "Broken Arrow'.

[@PatrickHeromate]

I found tag of an American army fight in WW2 ,in the Pacific ocean, Robert.R.preston

[@waderaney7]

'I was just inspecting the elevator ',in later years that woulda been Arthur Mullard😉

[@foxvienna1]

A convoluted plot, but fun flick.

[@suziewonder9660]

That was a very cute film! I don't know if anyone agrees but doesn't Debra Messing resemble Ellen Drew?

[@madderhat5852]

Holy cow, you're right.😵

[@dei1]

Ellen Messing was Debra Drew you silly goose.

[@peanut24cute49]

Debra Messing,I think,resembles Lucille Ball.

[@footfault]

Suzie, sorry, but I honestly don't see any resemblance at all between the two. I wouldn't confuse them with each other. Very different mouths and jaw lines.

[@barbaravick5634]

Suzie Wonder No. Ellen Drew was attractive.

[@stevengrotte2987]

error at 53:07 "slugging in the Signal Corp for two years" the Signal Corp is/was Army, he was wearing a Navy uniform, rank on it was 1st class Petty Officer.

[@wesleyrodgers886]

Greeting from a fellow pedantic :)

[@merrittashmore695]

His rank is a 2nd Class Petty Officer, not 1st Class.

[@StevenTorrey]

A rather delightful mystery drama comedy, howevermuch Ann Ryand didn't like it.

[@barbaravick5634]

Steven Torrey I forgot I'd read Ayn Rands name. She didn't like anything unless it made her money, literally. She had been paid, she was free to hate it.

[@johnhardman3]

GOOD!

[@javusbonmon6937]

🎥🎬🎭

[@angelamagruder5911]

Thats why people liked that building it has a public elevator and private one,its worth what they were paying to have privacy as they come and go🤔🤔🤔🤗.

[@653j521]

"Puerto Rican cadets ordered to disband army of liberation." That would make a good movie! Was it a real story of the day in the paper? I loved the gas station manager.

[@missmaggie2620]

Isn't that Bumsteads Dog?

[@susanfaulkner2304]

Threatening a Faulkner?!

[@TheDaltonCashShow]

January 16th is my birthday.

[@myramyra9308]

Quite good actually.

[@charityandfaith]

I have 2 friends with this birthday, so I'm gonna ✔ it out ..

[@waderaney7]

Little sweetie Daisy from Blondie 🎥's😉

[@marbleman52]

Robert Preston's face looked more filled out ( trying to be polite here..) than in the later years ( which is usually the opposite in a lot of actors )...he was probably still rather young here.

[@zorroalphonso4354]

He was 23 but looked older.

[@tangotwo73]

He is so Cute in this film! Wonderful to see such a young Robert Preston. Thank you for sharing... The Magical Music Man.

[@gomadgom2170]

Havana, oh, na, na, na. "My love is in Havana", Camila Cabello knows it.

[@pressureworks]

They recovered all the money and lived happily ever after, in Paraguay.