In the 1947 RKO comedy, “The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer,” Beverly Hills High School was transformed into Sunset High School.
A pivotal scene takes place in the auditorium.
Cary Grant plays Richard Nugent, an artist and playboy, who seems to attract trouble with the ladies. As he gives a speech to the student body, man-crazy teenager Susan Turner (Shirley Temple) is mesmerized.
Right before her eyes, he magically transforms into a Knight in Shining Armor.
After his speech, Susan makes a beeline to Richard and interviews him for the school newspaper. In reality, she is just attempting to find out if he is single and interested in her.
After the interview, an uncomfortable Nugent says goodbye and hurriedly walks away from the persistent teenager.
Once again, the transformation occurs and he becomes a Knight to the adoring teen.
Not sure if that’s actually Cary in the suit? Here you go…
Although this young girl isn’t Shirley, she seems to be just as mesmerized. Cary had that effect on people!
Another scene in the movie takes place in the Beverly Hills High School Swim Gym, which was also used in “It’s A Wonderful Life” (covered in this post).
Nugent is forced to “date” Susan via her sister Margaret, a judge. Advised by Uncle Matt that the crush will only get worse if Margaret forbids it, the reluctant Susan decides to let the two hang out until Susan gets bored by Richard. Here, the couple attend a basketball game at the Swim Gym.
Some more views of the gym:
I was hoping I might have caught a production gaffe with the clock, but no such luck. They renamed Beverly Hills for Sunset, just as they should have for the movie.
The Swim-Gym is still alive and well today:
There are no interior shots as there is a large fence all the way around the high school. There appears to be a major overhaul of BHHS going on; I am hoping that the original main building (shown in the movie) survives, but it is hard to tell. I will need to go back!
See more Shirley and “Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer” photos at my main website.
2 comments:
The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer is such a scream and so brilliantly written on so many levels by Sidney Sheldon - his original screenplay very deserving of the Oscar that year. (Not to mention the great acting from the wonderful cast-!)
As for the 'preservation' of the Swim Gym - judging from all the talk of the building's historical nature - I presume that's a big YES. On the other hand, I was unable to find any information on the specifics of what was to take place. I had forgotten the structure was built by the WPA in 1939, and designed by Stiles O. Clements - also noted for: El Capitan Theatre Building; Mayan Theatre; Richfield Tower; Samson Uniroyal Tire Factory; and the Pellissier Building and Wiltern Theatre - among others.
I'm sure there is no more famous and beloved gym than the Swim Gym, so one would think it would be protected. Of course one would have thought that about many other landmarks that have gone away forever.
Here in Dallas we have the same problem. If it's old, it gets the wrecking ball. I've helped Preservation Dallas on a couple of projects (in a VERY minor roll) and the city is very unforgiving to it's past. So sad...
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