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IMDbPro

Invitation to Happiness

  • 1939
  • Approved
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
193
YOUR RATING
Irene Dunne and Fred MacMurray in Invitation to Happiness (1939)
DramaRomance

An egotistical boxer romances a rich backer's daughter.An egotistical boxer romances a rich backer's daughter.An egotistical boxer romances a rich backer's daughter.

  • Director
    • Wesley Ruggles
  • Writers
    • Claude Binyon
    • Mark Jerome
  • Stars
    • Irene Dunne
    • Fred MacMurray
    • Charles Ruggles
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    193
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Wesley Ruggles
    • Writers
      • Claude Binyon
      • Mark Jerome
    • Stars
      • Irene Dunne
      • Fred MacMurray
      • Charles Ruggles
    • 9User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins total

    Photos10

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    Top cast43

    Edit
    Irene Dunne
    Irene Dunne
    • Eleanor Wayne
    Fred MacMurray
    Fred MacMurray
    • Albert 'King' Cole
    Charles Ruggles
    Charles Ruggles
    • Henry 'Pop' Hardy
    Billy Cook
    Billy Cook
    • Albert Cole Jr.
    William Collier Sr.
    William Collier Sr.
    • Mr. Wayne
    Marion Martin
    Marion Martin
    • Lola Snow
    Oscar O'Shea
    Oscar O'Shea
    • Divorce Judge
    Burr Caruth
    • Butler
    Eddie Hogan
    • The Champ
    Virginia Brissac
    Virginia Brissac
    • Eleanor's Nurse
    • (uncredited)
    Joe Caits
    Joe Caits
    • Man in Office
    • (uncredited)
    Wheaton Chambers
    Wheaton Chambers
    • Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    Russ Clark
    • Referee
    • (uncredited)
    Heinie Conklin
    Heinie Conklin
    • Joe, the Cook
    • (uncredited)
    Joe Cunningham
    • Announcer
    • (uncredited)
    Bob Evans
    • Galliette
    • (uncredited)
    Jerry Fletcher
    • Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    Joseph Franz
    Joseph Franz
    • Reporter
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Wesley Ruggles
    • Writers
      • Claude Binyon
      • Mark Jerome
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      There are incorrect accounts stating that Irene Dunne replaced Marlene Dietrich on this picture. Dietrich was assigned to a different film also called "Invitation to Happiness," but it had no connection with the Dunne project. Since the title had been already registered, Paramount recycled it for the Dunne movie.
    • Connections
      Referenced in The First Days (1939)

    User reviews9

    Featured review

    A screenwriter's review

    Invitation to Happiness, my first evening flick. I was eight and already a sports fan and, during an earlier matinée preview, Invitation to Happiness flashed on - a prizefight movie.

    Fifteen or twenty seconds of solid slam-bang action were shown. I had to see it. It was only playing for two nights in the middle of the week and I understood the importance of school the next day. But I knew I had to go. Problem: I couldn't go alone. I launched a campaign of such ferocity that my parents gave in. Grudgingly, we trooped off to Invitation to Happiness- -and it wasn't a prizefight movie, it was a kissing movie. All they did was kiss, the hero and the lady. Those precious fifteen seconds of slam-bang action were there, all right, but that was the sum total of prizefighting. I never dreamed a preview would snooker you that way.

    The kisses went on and on. I began to groan. Then I started counting. Eleven kisses. Now a quick buss on the nose, but that counted. Twelve. On and on they went, and by now I was counting out loud.

    There were twenty-three kisses in Invitation to Happiness and I hated every one.

    -- from William Goldman's Adventures in Screen Trade
    • ekogan37
    • Jan 23, 2006
    • Permalink

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 17, 1939 (Sweden)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Mannen som slog igenom
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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    Irene Dunne and Fred MacMurray in Invitation to Happiness (1939)
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