Change of Heart
Cast & Crew
James Tinling
Gloria Stuart
Michael Whalen
Lyle Talbot
Delmar Watson
Jane Darwell
Film Details
Technical Specs
Synopsis
When workaholic advertising executive Anthony Murdock returns from a business trip, he is dismayed to learn that his wife Carol, who is a professional golfer, is playing in a tournament and cannot meet him until later. Tony is so annoyed by Carol's tardiness that he eats dinner without her, thereby ruining the surprise dinner she had planned for their wedding anniversary. When Carol arrives, Tony accuses her of preferring golf and her golfing partner, Phillip Reeves, to him. Tony's selfishness and unfounded jealousy finally drives Carol over the edge, and she tells him that she is sick of his egotism. The couple agree to separate, and Carol leaves after stating that she does not need any of his money. Tony regrets his rash actions, and the next day, when he overhears his secretaries gossip about Carol doing the right thing by leaving him, he realizes that something is amiss in his life. He queries his oldest employee, Tom Jones, who tells him that he works too hard and has forgotten how to trust people. Jones suggests that Tony take up golf as a way of relaxing and winning back Carol, and Tony reluctantly agrees. At the country club, Tony is assigned young Jimmy Milligan as his caddy, and Jimmy quickly becomes fed up with Tony's temper as he muffs his shots. After Tony apologizes, the pair become friends and Jimmy reveals that he is an orphan and lives alone in a shack by the golf course. As time passes, Tony learns to control his temper and relax, while Carol is pursued by Phillip, who is in love with her. Several months after their separation, Carol and Tony are paired in a game by Jimmy, who is not aware that they are married because he knows Carol by her professional name, Wayne. Carol is impressed by the apparent changes in Tony, and after the game, the couple go to find a dog for Jimmy to replace one he had named "Corky." Corky was a "Shepper-Newfounder," a mutt sold to Jimmy as a purebred, and Carol and Tony have difficulties finding a dog matching Corky's peculiar characteristics. They finally find one, however, and Jimmy is overjoyed by his new friend, "Rex." Despite an earlier argument over Tony's suspicions about Carol's expensive apartment, Carol agrees to go home with him for dinner. The couple are on the verge of reconciling when Tony opens a letter from his lawyer and discovers that Carol, who used to be a professional model, has been supporting herself by modeling swimsuits and lingerie. Tony angrily declares that she has humiliated him by working instead of taking money from him, and Carol storms out. Two weeks later, Tony goes to the club and finds out from Phillip that Carol is in London. Because he believes that Phillip intends to join Carol after the divorce is final, Tony challenges him to a game of golf, and the two men end up fighting. After Phillip gives Tony a good thrashing, he reveals that Carol is still in love with her foul-tempered mate. Tony rushes to England with Jimmy and Rex, and his appearance convinces Carol that he truly loves her. The reunited couple cuddle as they look at a billboard of a baby, and Tony suggests that they should have one of their own.
Director
James Tinling
Cast
Gloria Stuart
Michael Whalen
Lyle Talbot
Delmar Watson
Jane Darwell
Chester Clute
Spec O'donnell
Harold Goodwin
Joan Castle
Robert Kellard
Helene Millard
Gloria Roy
Harry Strang
Joseph Tozer
Bert Roach
Murray Alper
Hal K. Dawson
Lee Tung-foo
Lilyan Irene
Eddie Dunn
Inez Palange
Frank Puglia
Ruth Renick
Armand "curly" Wright
Wade Boteler
Rita Owin
Phyllis Fraser
Mary Treen
George Meeker
Francis Ford
Grace Hayle
Crew
William H. Anderson
John Blanke
Joe Bonner
Madge Boyd
Daniel B. Clark
Fletcher Clark
Haldane Douglas
Tom Dudley
Curtis Fetters
W. D. Flick
Paul Gilbert
R. E. Goux
Don Greenwood
Herschel
Bernard Herzbrun
Frances Hyland
Roy Ivey
Samuel Kaylin
Fred Kelly
Charles Kohl
William R. Lipman
Bud Mautino
C. J. Mazzoletti
Leo Mccreary
Irene Morra
Ray Nolan
Ed O'fearna
Albert Ray
Viola Richards
Tom Shaw
Vern Simmons
Helen Torres
John H. Walton
Sol M. Wurtzel
Lester Ziffren
Film Details
Technical Specs
Quotes
Trivia
Notes
The working title of this film was Headline Huntress. According to a February 22, 1937 Daily Variety news item, Fox intended to co-feature Michael Whalen and Katherine de Mille in the film. Although author Stewart Edward White is not credited on screen, or in the Screen Achievements Bulletin or reviews, the Twentieth Century-Fox Records of the Legal Department at the UCLA Theater Arts Library add the following information about the literary source: an original, unpublished story entitled "Headline Huntress" was purchased from authors Lillian Worth and Edythe Zell and was intended to be the basis of the film, but was not actually used. After the picture was completed and the screen credits prepared, it was learned by Fox executives that the script by screenwriters Frances Hyland and Albert Ray "incorporated a great portion of" a 1930 Fox film entitled Part Time Wife, which in turn was based on the short story "The Shepper-Newfounder" by Stewart Edward White (see The AFI Catalog of Feature Films, 1921-30; F2.4147). Fox decided not to credit White for Change of Heart and hoped that he would not complain. A pre-release Motion Picture Herald article noted that "the producing organization has not yet arrived at a decision as to who will receive writing and adapting credits." Some scenes were filmed on location at the Flintridge Country Club in California.
