The Great Recast: A Touch of Class starring Cary Grant and Cary Grant

This is my contribution to The Great Recasting Blogathon, hosted by Frankly My Dear and In the Mood. The game is to recast a post-1965 film with pre-1965 actors. Check out the other delicious concoctions dreamed up by other classic movie lovers!

The film I have chosen to recast is 1973 romantic comedy "A Touch of Class."

I have always contended that any film would be made better simply by having Cary Grant in the cast. Well, here's a chance to put my money where my mouth is.

"A Touch of Class" is a perfectly fine romantic comedy that has 2 actors that fit their roles quite nicely. However, there is always room for improvement, right? Which takes me back to my standby, fail-safe position that any film can be improved by the presence of Cary.

Cute, but no Cary Grant

George Segal is a wonderful actor and I like him very much, but let's face it, he's no Cary Grant. As the married man who is just looking for an affair and finds himself in love, Cary would bring much more that just a touch of class to the role. I mean, what gal would not want to run away with him?

Now, isn't this better?

In fact, the role was originally meant for Cary Grant, who wanted the age difference between him and the leading lady made very clear. However, Cary decided he liked being retired from acting and the role was rewritten for a younger man. 

Okay, she was good, but a tad frosty

Glenda Jackson won an Oscar for her role in this film, but really, she is no Cary Grant either. Cary is so luscious, he should be the object of his own desire. In fact, Mr. Grant always excelled playing the pursued, rather than the pursuer, so this role is right up his alley!


And, certainly, Cary has already demonstrated that he has a feminine side:

Besides, this role will Cary a chance to show how well he wore fashion. And it is fitting that they do not end up together. After all, this affair could be very tough on a gal's lingerie.

I was a little worried about the Cary(him) and Cary(her) on screen at the same time, but them remembered the 2 Bettes in "Dead Ringer" and 2 Olivias in "The Dark Mirror," so it could be done (although the clinch might prove challenging).

Of course, the rather straight forward sexuality of the story would have to be changed for the times. Cary and Cary could certainly run away to Malaga together, and the will they-won't they shenanigans in the bedroom are perfect for pre-1965 (think "My Favorite Wife"). But, I'd suspect female Cary would have to be coaxed into an affair with a married man such as himself and not be quite so willing. But these are minor tweaks. In the end, the pre-1965 and post-1965 message is the same: an affair with a married man can make a girl sad.

The man could do it all

Just for fun, I'd also  like to give the directing assignment to Cary, as I don't think he ever directed a film. He could not have 2 more cooperative actors. In fact, Cary Grant actually did stay connected to this film. Although he declined the role eventually played by George Segal, it was produced by Fabergé's Brut Productions, and Grant was on the board of directors for Fabergé. When I hear the phrase "a touch of class" there is no one else who comes to mind before Cary Grant.