Turnabout (1940): Cast & Plot
Turnabout is a 1940 fantasy comedy directed by Hal Roach, starring Carole Landis as Sally Willows, John Hubbard and Mary Astor. It runs 1 hour 23 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 23m (83 min)
- Director
- Hal Roach
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Hal Roach Studios
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Turnabout About?
The premise of Turnabout without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Tim and Sally Willows, a constantly arguing couple, are frustrated when a mysterious statue seems to answer their angry mutterings. After a fateful wish, a magical mishap caused by the stork swaps their souls, forcing each to live the other’s life and confront the challenges of the opposite gender.
Turnabout Themes & Keywords
· 10 tags- slapstick comedy
- lively buddha statue
- body swap comedy
- husband
- wife
- anger
- bear
- body swap
- based on novel
- 1930s
Turnabout Cast & Characters
Carole Landis leads the cast as Sally Willows, with John Hubbard as Tim Willows and Mary Astor as Marion Manning. Directed by Hal Roach; 53 actors are credited in all.
- Director Hal Roach
- Carole Landis as Sally Willows
- John Hubbard as Tim Willows
- Mary Astor as Marion Manning
- Joyce Compton as Irene Clare
Also Starring in Turnabout
· 49 more- Adolphe Menjou Phil Manning
- William Gargan Joel Clare
- Georges Renavent Mr. Ram (as George Renavent)
- Donald Meek Henry, the Valet
- Berton Churchill Julian Marlowe
- William H. O'Brien Nightclub Waiter (uncredited)
- Harold Miller Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- Kenner G. Kemp Nightclub Patron (uncredited)
- Bert Moorhouse Photographer's Assistant (uncredited)
- Ralph Brooks Chauffeur (uncredited)
- Forbes Murray Carter (uncredited)
- Chester Clute Briggs (uncredited)
- Carl M. Leviness Man in Outer Office (uncredited)
- Franklin Pangborn Mr. Pingboom
- Murray Alper Doc, the Masseur
- Marjorie Main Nora, the Cook
Show all 53 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Frances Morris Marlowe's Secretary (uncredited)
- Jack Rice Second Photographer (uncredited)
- John Davidson Minor Role (uncredited)
- Russell Wade Officer Worker in Corridor (uncredited)
- Larry Wheat Meek Man in Outer Office (uncredited)
- Jerry Mandy Remisoff - First Photograper (uncredited)
- Buddy Messinger Elevator Boy (uncredited)
- Harold Minjir Pet Shop Clerk (uncredited)
- Ray Turner Mose
- Miki Morita Ito
- Inez Courtney Miss Edwards
- Verree Teasdale Laura Bannister
- Gwen Kenyon Model (uncredited)
- Rebel Randall Model (uncredited)
- Jack Egan Photographer's Assistant (uncredited)
- Polly Ann Young Miss Gertie Twill
- Peter Adams Photographer (uncredited)
- Marshall Ruth Minor Role (uncredited)
- Norman Budd Jimmy
- Yolande Donlan Marie, the Maid (as Yolande Mollot)
- Wright Kramer Dr. Brown (uncredited)
- Hal Cooke Copyrighter (uncredited)
- Elsa Peterson Minor Role (uncredited)
- Margaret Roach Dixie Gale
- Carlie Taylor Photographer's Assistant (uncredited)
- Gwen Seager Dress Model (uncredited)
- Joe Hartman Model (uncredited)
- Robert 'Buddy' Shaw Second Clerk (uncredited)
- Dorothy Dugan Bathing Model (uncredited)
- Louise Ritchie Maid (uncredited)
- Eleanor Riley Lorraine
- Mildred Sellers Model (uncredited)
- Ward Arnold Employee (uncredited)
Turnabout Plot Summary
What happens in Turnabout from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 10 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Tim Willows, John Hubbard is the driving force behind the advertising agency Manning, Willows, and Clare, a trio completed by Adolphe Menjou as Phil Manning and William Gargan as Joel Clare. His wife Sally Willows, Carole Landis, luxuriates in a life of pampered ease at home, while the couple’s constant bickering is fueled by a mysterious Indian idol they inherited from a distant relative—a figure they simply call Mr. Ram.
Full summary
The whole story of Turnabout, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Turnabout?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actor plays Tim Willows, the advertising executive?
Turnabout Also Known As
2 alternative titles: “Changeons de sexe” and “L'errore del dio Chang, volte-face”.
- Also known as
-
- Changeons de sexe
- L'errore del dio Chang, volte-face
Seen Turnabout?
Movies Like Turnabout
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Switch, Family Switch and Family Swap.
Turnabout FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Turnabout, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Turnabout?
Turnabout runs 1 hour 23 minutes (83 minutes).
When was Turnabout released?
Turnabout was released on May 17, 1940.
Who directed Turnabout?
Turnabout was directed by Hal Roach.
More films by Hal Roach Who is in the cast of Turnabout?
Turnabout stars Carole Landis as Sally Willows, John Hubbard as Tim Willows and Mary Astor as Marion Manning, among 53 credited actors.
Does Turnabout have a post-credit scene?
No. Turnabout has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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