Idiot’s Delight (1939): Cast
Idiot’s Delight is a 1939 comedy drama directed by Clarence Brown, starring Clark Gable as Harry Van, Hobart Cavanaugh and Burgess Meredith. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 47m (107 min)
- Director
- Clarence Brown
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Idiot’s Delight About?
The premise of Idiot’s Delight without spoilers.
Set in an elegant Alpine hotel at the outbreak of World II, the film follows singers Norma and Clark—an earnest song‑and‑dance performer and a red‑headed con‑artist from Omaha—who become entangled in a lively romance. As the borders close, a quirky mix of travelers are forced to share rooms, leading to comedic misunderstandings and heartfelt moments amid the looming conflict.
Idiot’s Delight Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- gin
- champagne
- musical scene
- screwball comedy
- esperanto
- 1930s
- screenplay adapted by author
- american in europe
- outbreak of war
- trapeze artist
- anti war message
- bombing
+38 more Show fewer
- american woman in europe
- blond hair
- day time bombing raid
- gun runner
- hotel room
- song and dance team
- song and dance
- mountain hotel
- love affair
- implied sex
- arms dealer
- 20 years later
- vaudeville act
- closed border
- drinking vodka
- swiss border
- kiss good bye
- italian man
- german man
- card game
- military airport
- theme song
- air raid siren
- romantic reunion
- impostor
- posing as a russian
- morality tale
- dancing
- cocktail lounge
- young british couple
- democracy
- declaration of love
- embrace
- dark comedy
- folk music
- dance music
- pop music
- romantic music
Idiot’s Delight Cast & Characters
Clark Gable leads the cast as Harry Van, with Hobart Cavanaugh as Frueheim and Burgess Meredith as Quillary. Directed by Clarence Brown; 55 actors are credited in all.
- Director Clarence Brown
-
Clark Gable as Harry Van -
Hobart Cavanaugh as Frueheim -
Burgess Meredith as Quillary -
Fritz Feld as Pittatek
Also Starring in Idiot’s Delight
· 51 more- Lee Phelps Train Announcer
- Harry Strang Sergeant at Ambulance
- Emory Parnell Fifth Avenue Mounted Cop
- Paul Panzer Greek Chef
- Frank Faylen Ed
- Claire McDowell Crying Mother
- Francis McDonald Flight Captain
- Edward LeSaint The Honorable Thomas McCreevy
- Frank Orth Benny Zinsser
- Edward Arnold Achille Weber
- Bud Geary Ambulance Passenger
- Barbara Bedford Nurse #1
- Mitchell Lewis Chief Wahoo
- Jimmy Conlin Stagehand
- Clem Bevans Jimmy Barzek
- Charles Judels Daka
Show all 55 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Virginia Grey Shirley Laughlin
- Garry Owen Newsstand Vendor
- Charles Coburn Dr. Hugo Waldersee
- Margaret Bert Nurse #2
- Frank M. Thomas Bert
- Norma Shearer Irene Fellara
- Helen Dickson Mrs. McCreevy
- Robert Middlemass Hospital Commandant
- William Edmunds Dumptsy
- E. Alyn Warren Clerk at Royal Grand Hotel
- George Sorel Major
- Joe Yule Vaudeville Comic
- William Irving Sandro
- Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher 'Don' Navadel
- Eddie Gribbon Cop
- Joan Marsh Elaine Messiger
- Buddy Messinger Usher
- Joseph Schildkraut Capt. Kirvline
- Evalyn Knapp Nurse #4
- Bernadene Hayes Edna Creesh
- Laura Hope Crews Madame Zuleika
- Anna Demetrio Fat Italian Woman on Train
- Adolph Milar Fellara
- Suzanne Kaaren Nurse #3
- Virginia Dale Francine Merle
- Rudolf Myzet Czech Announcer (voice)
- Bernard Suss Auguste
- Edward Raquello Chiari
- Paula Stone Beulah Tremayne
- Jack Grey Townsman
- Lorraine Krueger Bebe Gould
- Peter Willes Mr. Jimmy Cherry
- Pat Paterson Mrs. Cherry
- Bonita Weber Woman with Catsup
- Gertrude Bennett Woman with Powders
More from Clarence Brown
More films directed by Clarence Brown, best-rated first: The Yearling, National Velvet, Angels in the Outfield and Plymouth Adventure.
Idiot’s Delight Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Idiot’s Delight.
Seen Idiot’s Delight?
Movies Like Idiot’s Delight
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Once Upon a Honeymoon, These Foolish Things and Don’t Look Now… We’re Being Shot At!.
Idiot’s Delight FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Idiot’s Delight, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Idiot’s Delight?
Idiot’s Delight runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).
When was Idiot’s Delight released?
Idiot’s Delight was released on January 27, 1939.
Who directed Idiot’s Delight?
Idiot’s Delight was directed by Clarence Brown.
More films by Clarence Brown Who is in the cast of Idiot’s Delight?
Idiot’s Delight stars Clark Gable as Harry Van, Hobart Cavanaugh as Frueheim and Burgess Meredith as Quillary, among 55 credited actors.
Does Idiot’s Delight have a post-credit scene?
No. Idiot’s Delight has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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