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Cary Grant bets everything on a caterpillar that can Charleston. No, you're not drunk.
TMDB
58
IMDb
61
Rotten Tomatoes
44
Audience Score
44
Google
74
Watch

Once Upon a Time (1944)

whimsical con gamewartime escapismscrewball adjacent

Overview

ComedyFamilyFantasy

Broadway producer Jerry Flynn is anxious to recapture the magic and reclaim the crowds after a set of costly flops. Outside his theater one night, Flynn meets a young boy who just might save the day. Inside a small box the boy shows Flynn his pride and joy: a caterpillar named Curly that dances to Yes Sir, That's My Baby. Word quickly spreads about the amazingly talented hoofer, and the caterpillar becomes a symbol of hope for wartime America. Soon, offers are pouring in to capitalize on this sensational insect.

Flag of USUS
Content warning
con trickdancing caterpillar

Standout Aspects

Acting

Grant selling absolute nonsense with leading-man gravity.

Production

The caterpillar puppet: janky, magical, deeply committed.

Best for:Solo: Sunday morning with coffee and zero expectations.·Family: Grandparents who remember when this was peak entertainment.·Background: Fold laundry while Grant charisma carries you.
Alexander Hall

Director

Alexander Hall

ReleasedJun 29, 1944
Runtime1h 29m
StatusReleased

Vibe

Pacesteady
Intensitylow
Tonelight
Feellight
Columbia Pictures

Top Cast

Cary Grant

Cary Grant

Jerry Flynn

Janet Blair

Janet Blair

Jeannie Thompson

James Gleason

James Gleason

Moke McGillicuddy

Ted Donaldson

Ted Donaldson

Arthur "Pinky" Thompson

William Demarest

William Demarest

Brandt

John Abbott

John Abbott

Reporter (uncredited)

Iris Adrian

Iris Adrian

Woman Exiting Theatre (uncredited)

Henry Armetta

Henry Armetta

Barber (uncredited)

Charles Arnt

Charles Arnt

Fred Stacy (uncredited)

Lloyd Bridges

Lloyd Bridges

Aviator Captain (uncredited)

Pedro de Cordoba

Pedro de Cordoba

Professor Van Dorn (uncredited)

Walter Fenner

Walter Fenner

Walt Disney (uncredited)

James Flavin

James Flavin

Man in Subway (uncredited)

Byron Foulger

Byron Foulger

Theatregoer (uncredited)

Howard Freeman

Howard Freeman

McKenzie (uncredited)

Ask about Once Upon a Time

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Deep Dive

Trivia, insights & behind the scenes

Cultural

Released during WWII when audiences desperately needed distraction; the caterpillar became a weird symbol of national resilience.

Trivia

The caterpillar was a mechanical puppet operated by invisible wires—Grant reportedly broke multiple takes laughing at its jerky movements.

YouTube

Once Upon A Time (1944) Clip

Once Upon A Time (1944) Clip

Gallery

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