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was announced as having what was described as the "second female lead" in the film. Within days it was announced that James
Gleason, Frank M. Thomas, John Arledge and Margaret Seddon had been added to the cast. At the same time, several other All-American college football players were also listed as
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gave the film a very favorable review, calling it "very good program entertainment", and saying its comedic and action elements were excellent. While stating that the ending was predictable, in spite of that they felt it was still thrilling. They particularly highlighted the performance of Devine,
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would be one of the first films released on the new 2,000 foot reel, which became the industry standard. During production, Devine and one of the football extras were injured during filming the football sequences, necessitating several days delay in the filming of their scenes. The film opened on
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No such arrangement exists. However, with the big game against Erie coming up, Blackie kidnaps Clark to make sure
Atlantic cannot win. Pop creates a distraction on the field to delay the proceedings while Margaret, George and an apologetic Cal rush to rescue Clark in time to play in the game.
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A gambler and school booster, George Scott, has been discreetly giving money to Clark, as he has in the past for players like Pop, who could not have afforded to go to college otherwise. Clark's roommate and teammate, Cal
Calhoun, snitches on him to Brad Anthony, who investigates and falsely
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October 9, with premieres in San
Francisco, California, and Columbus, Ohio, after which it was in heavy demand by theater booking agents. The film was given a Class A-1 rating by the National Legion of Decency, making it appropriate for all audiences.
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in
Pasadena. After filming had begun, Billy Gilbert and Dick Elliot were also added to the cast. In mid-August, George Offerman, Jr. and Arthur Loft were added to fill minor roles in the production. On September 1, it was announced that
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contract player, Bruce Cabot, was acquired on loan by RKO on July 1. Another non-professional actor, Bobby Wilson, was hired to play one of the football players in early July. Wilson was an All-American quarterback at
355:. In June the studio assigned Nicholls to direct, shortly after renewing his contract. Also in June, it was announced that Berman would be the producer, although it was initially reported that the director would be
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Clark
Jenkins is the star quarterback of Atlantic's college football team. He falls in love with classmate Margaret Anthony, whose father, Brad, is a newspaper sports columnist who disapproves of their romance.
453:, who handled the football sequences. They were positive about the acting, and also the use of real football players, and they highlighted the performances of Devine and Travis. The
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also gave the film a favorable review. They felt that the plot left something to be desired, but was more than made up for by the direction, both by
Nicholls, and especially by
263:. Huston (1908–1980) was a respected New York stage actor, who also had prominent roles in a number of motion pictures and, later, acted in television productions, as well.
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magazine. On April 8 RKO announced that Pandro Berman would handle the producing duties. Later that month RKO hired a young author,
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concludes that Clark intends to deliberately lose a game for a payoff from gambling kingpin
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The first casting announcement came in mid-June, when it was announced that four star football players for
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called the film "worthwhile entertainment", and did not have the same issue with the plot as
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In April 1936 it was reported that RKO had purchased the rights to the serialized story,
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was not as impressed, giving the film only two out of a possible four "A"'s.
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1270:""The Big Game" with Philip Huston, Andy Devine and June Travis"
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1303:"Motion Picture Daily's Hollywood Preview: "The Big Game""
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1001:"Five New RKO Features Start Production in Week"
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833:"7 in Work; 7 Readying at RKO Radio Studios"
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634:"RKO Signs Contracts With Three Directors"
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509:. American Film Institute. Archived from
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408:At the same time it was announced that
1632:Films set in universities and colleges
1369:"Tip-Off on the Talkies: The Big Game"
1627:Films directed by George Nicholls Jr.
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396:cast members: William Shakespeare of
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1642:Films with screenplays by Irwin Shaw
1667:English-language sports drama films
1237:"Legion Approves 16 of 17 Pictures"
1647:Films scored by Nathaniel Shilkret
1105:"A "Little" From Hollywood "Lots""
1071:"A "Little" From Hollywood "Lots""
968:"A "Little" From Hollywood "Lots""
900:"A "Little" From Hollywood "Lots""
800:"A "Little" From Hollywood "Lots""
601:"A "Little" From Hollywood "Lots""
14:
391:. The following day, on July 15,
247:. The film stars Philip Huston,
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1336:"Showmen's Review: The Big Game"
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1204:"A Calendar of Feature Releases"
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1309:. September 26, 1936. p. 2
1276:. October 17, 1936. p. 167
1210:. December 18, 1936. p. 14
1103:Wilk, Ralph (August 17, 1936).
483:List of American football films
1622:Films based on American novels
1607:American black-and-white films
1144:. September 1, 1936. p. 6
1069:Wilk, Ralph (August 7, 1936).
1043:. September 2, 1936. p. 2
599:Wilk, Ralph (April 14, 1936).
289:Philip Huston as Clark Jenkins
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1342:. October 3, 1936. p. 42
1243:. October 12, 1936. p. 2
1177:. October 19, 1936. p. 2
1138:"First 2,000-Ft. Reel Issues"
966:Wilk, Ralph (July 21, 1936).
932:Wilk, Ralph (July 17, 1936).
898:Wilk, Ralph (July 15, 1936).
872:. August 22, 1936. p. 33
532:Wilk, Ralph (April 4, 1936).
385:Southern Methodist University
1657:1930s English-language films
798:Wilk, Ralph (July 6, 1936).
1612:American sports drama films
1375:. December 1936. p. 22
1171:""Big Game" Bookings Heavy"
1007:. July 29, 1936. p. 11
739:. June 18, 1936. p. 12
706:. June 16, 1936. p. 17
673:. June 26, 1936. p. 13
507:"The Big Game: Detail View"
366:would be used in the film:
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839:. July 14, 1936. p. 2
640:. June 20, 1936. p. 1
573:. April 8, 1936. p. 4
322:John Harrington as Blackie
1494:The Return of Peter Grimm
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772:. July 1, 1936. p. 8
567:"Radio's Fall Footballer"
378:, and Frank Alustiza. An
177:October 9, 1936
35:Theatrical release poster
28:
1602:1930s sports drama films
1534:The Soldier and the Lady
934:"A "Little" From "Lots""
766:"Radio Gets Cabot for 2"
733:"Berman Gets Grid Stars"
534:"A "Little" From "Lots""
1617:American football films
1373:Motion Picture Magazine
667:"Productions Preparing"
470:Motion Picture Magazine
400:; and Jay Berwanger of
1340:Motion Picture Herald
870:Motion Picture Herald
700:"George Stevens Busy"
456:Motion Picture Herald
402:University of Chicago
1662:1930s American films
1574:The Marines Fly High
1478:Anne of Green Gables
1307:Motion Picture Daily
1241:Motion Picture Daily
770:Motion Picture Daily
737:Motion Picture Daily
704:Motion Picture Daily
465:Motion Picture Daily
446:Motion Picture Daily
372:Bob "Bones" Hamilton
233:George Nicholls, Jr.
45:George Nicholls, Jr.
1458:George Nicholls Jr.
301:as Margaret Anthony
224:is a 1936 American
1637:RKO Pictures films
1456:Films directed by
1421:TCM Movie Database
439:Harrison's Reports
410:"Big Boy" Williams
368:Jim "Monk" Moscrip
237:RKO Radio Pictures
164:RKO Radio Pictures
154:RKO Radio Pictures
139:Nathaniel Shilkret
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1510:The Witness Chair
1486:Chasing Yesterday
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129:Frederic Knudtson
51:(football scenes)
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101:June Travis
81:Produced by
41:Directed by
1597:1936 films
1591:Categories
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489:References
461:Harrison's
398:Notre Dame
343:Irwin Shaw
327:Production
241:Irwin Shaw
229:drama film
197:75 minutes
181:1936-10-09
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119:Harry Wild
60:Irwin Shaw
56:Written by
1550:Army Girl
433:Reception
421:Rose Bowl
338:Collier's
125:Edited by
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364:Stanford
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135:Music by
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