Cash McCall is a 1960 American romantic drama film in color, made by Warner Bros. Pictures. It was produced by Henry Blanke, directed by Joseph Pevney, and stars James Garner and Natalie Wood. The screenplay, written by Lenore J. Coffee and Marion Hargrove, is based on the novel of the same name by Cameron Hawley.
The film’s story follows a rich businessman who buys failing businesses. He fixes them up and sells them for a lot of money. During one of his purchases, he becomes drawn to the daughter of the business owner. This creates challenges for him in both his work and personal life.
Plot
Grant Austen, the leader of Austen Plastics, wants to retire. When Schofield Industries, his biggest customer, threatens to stop doing business with him, Austen hires a consulting firm. The firm finds a potential buyer, Cash McCall, a well-known businessman.
Cash meets with Austen and his daughter, Lory, who owns part of the company. Austen hides the issue with Schofield Industries. Later, Cash talks privately with Lory. They met the previous summer and felt a connection. However, when Lory arrived at Cash’s cabin soaked from a summer rainstorm, Cash, who was not ready for a serious relationship, politely turned her away. Lory was embarrassed and ran back into the rain. Afterward, Cash could not stop thinking about her and realized he had made a mistake. To reconnect with her, he pays more than the company is worth to buy Austen Plastics.
Before the deal is completed, Gil Clark, Cash’s new assistant, discovers that Austen Plastics holds patents vital to Schofield Industries. Cash’s boss, retired Army General Danvers, becomes worried and tries to buy Austen Plastics himself. Cash then decides he can manage Schofield more effectively and secretly buys controlling shares in the company.
During the business deals, Cash proposes marriage to Lory, and she agrees. However, Maude Kennard, the assistant manager at Cash’s hotel, wants to be with him and tricks Lory into thinking she is Cash’s girlfriend. At the same time, Harvey Bannon, a business associate of Austen, convinces Austen that Cash cheated him by paying less for the company than it is worth. This leads Austen to sue Cash. Eventually, all misunderstandings are resolved, Cash and Lory reconcile, and Gil convinces Grant to return to work.
Production
During the time James Garner was the main actor in the Warner Bros. television series Maverick, he starred in three theatrical films. The other two films were Darby's Rangers and Up Periscope. After winning a difficult legal case, Garner left the studio and continued making movies. Marion Hargrove, who wrote the screenplay for Cash McCall and also authored a popular comedy novel, wrote several scripts for Garner's Maverick series. In his memoirs, Garner wrote that he believed the movie was "not much of a movie, but I liked Natalie."
Reception
The film received mixed reviews from critics. Howard Thompson of The New York Times described it as "a simple and fun movie that sometimes has good moments." Variety noted that the film had characters that were "unoriginal and, in some cases, silly," and a script that "is almost ridiculous in showing too many different business activities," but added that "for audiences who enjoy light romantic stories, the film is acceptable." Harrison's Reports stated, "Although not enough attention was given to the complex details of business and high finance, the film is still an enjoyable entertainment that will please audiences who prefer simple stories." Richard L. Coe of The Washington Post wrote, "I am unsure what the makers of 'Cash McCall' intended, but they created a story with a lot of drinking that may appeal to men in the same way 'Cinderella' appeals to women." The Monthly Film Bulletin remarked, "The financial tricks are often funny, but the romantic parts feel unoriginal and boring compared to Cash's dishonest actions in the business world."