JohnHowardReid Copyright 1 September 1933 by Paramount Productions, Inc. U.S. release: 1 September 1933. New York opening at the Paramount: 1 September 1933. U.K. release: 10 March 1934. Australian release: 17 October 1934 (sic). 85 minutes. SYNOPSIS: A comedy about a dentist who decides to murder the man who sent him to prison.NOTES: Although some sources record Karl Struss as an uncredited contributor to the film's cinematography, Struss does not include this movie in either his official or unofficial lists of credits. 1933 and 1934 were Fay Wray's biggest years as a star. She appeared in no less than 22 movies, including King Kong. COMMENT: A surprisingly offbeat yet vivid and colorful performance by Fay Wray, plus a solid (if appropriately glum) interpretation by Gary Cooper in the central role, lifts this original version of Hagen's thrice-filmed stage play into the must-see category, despite the fact that it's outclassed in every department by the Raoul Walsh re-make, The Strawberry Blonde. Although it has its comic moments, particularly in its amusing observation of the courting habits of the gay nineties, its overall mood (aided by Victor Milner's stark photography) comes across as decidedly downbeat. True, in this aspect as well in plot and characterization, it does stay much closer to the Broadway play, but that's not necessarily an advantage.

tavm There are two versions of this movie that I'll review on this site back to back. This is the 1933 version. Gary Cooper plays Biff Grimes, a dentist whose old rival (Neil Hamilton) comes to his office by surprise. We see in flashback scenes how they both had designs on Fay Wray which Neil got while Cooper ended up with her friend, Frances Fuller. Some other complications follow before the ending. I'll just now say while there's some humor, it's mostly pretty dramatic concerning these players and it's not always a pleasant sight to see and hear what happens. According to this site, this was originally 85 min. but the DVD case says 69. In any case, there did seem some missing sequences when some events are only referred to and not shown. So possibly that may be a reason I wasn't satisfied enough with the version I saw. Still, it seemed partly good especially with the conclusion that happened. (The fact I watched much of this late at night and then the last 30 min. in the morning may have something to do with those last two comments.) So on that note, I say One Sunday Afternoon is worth a look. P.S. Because I like to cite when members of my favorite movie-It's a Wonderful Life-are in something else, well, actually it's the father of the one who played Harry Bailey in that one-Todd Karns-who's in this one, Roscoe Karns as Snappy. And, of course, Ms. Wray was becoming an icon earlier in the year in the original King Kong, and Hamilton would eventually become one as well decades later as Commissioner Gordon in the campy version of the "Batman" TV show.

abcj-2 Funny, I happened to watch this on a Sunday afternoon the other day. It was one of those films I thought I'd give a try and delete if it didn't appeal to me. By the time Gary Cooper was styling his hair with pure vanilla, I was hooked. He is one of the most beautiful men that ever lived, and I love seeing him in his early thirties in a more boyish and comic role.I loved the peek at the attention to detail of how life was in probably the 1910's during the flashback scenes. Frances Fuller was a total surprise. She seemed mousy next to Fay Wray at first. However, once she opened her mouth, her beautiful speaking voice and captivating character made me root for her. She was quite refined and I found her more interesting than Wray. I have seen The Strawberry Blonde twice in the past few months. I didn't even realize I was watching the original of the first remake of this film. The actors all play their parts so differently. Cagney is great, too. I'd say that you can watch both of these films and feel as if you've seen two very different films. Each has its own distinctness. Ultimately, I'd recommend both films and have yet to see the other popular remake. If you are a Gary Cooper fan, then this is a must see. It's old and a little fuzzy and slow-paced, but it's perfect for a Sunday afternoon.)

rbutler-12 I watched the movie, "One Sunday Afternoon," because of Gary Cooper. I was enchanted by the unknown actress, Frances Fuller. She was far different from the character that opened the movie. I first thought what has the Gary Cooper character gotten himself into. My favorite scene was the first date at the carnival. Gary Cooper and the tree was perfect. Boys do act like that on first dates. I know from experience. I wanted to know more about Frances Fuller. Why she was never a big star. I searched the internet for info about her career. Although I'm satisfied with the results, I'm still puzzled that she wasn't a bigger star. I'll try to see all her movies. Oh yes, Fay Wray. That's not the girl the big ape loved. Entirely different.