Novelist John Saunders was heavily involved in Hollywood, whose written works provided the framework for 1927 "Wings," 1928 "The Docks of New York," and 1930 "The Dawn Patrol." From his book "The Last Flight," which was made into a 1931 film with Richard Barthelmess, Saunders developed the play 'Nikki,' which his wife, actress Fay Wray, served as the lead on the 1931 Broadway stage. Included in the cast was a young actor, Archibald Leach, playing the Cary Lockwood character. Leach received rave reviews from the play's 39 performances. Columnist Ed Sullivan predicted the "young lad from England has a big future in the movies." Paramount Pictures noticed the stage actor, ran a screen test and filmed him as a sailor in his first screen appearance, in June 1932's musical short, "Singapore Sue." Paramount signed the 27-year-old Leach to a five-year contract, but with the caveat he had to change his name. The studio suggested his new name should sound something like its main star, Gary Cooper. Leach loved the character's name he played in 'Nikki,' and told the studio his first preference was Cary Lockwood. The execs liked the first name, but since there was an obscure actor already with that name, they gave him a list to choose for his last name. Knowing Clark Gable's career was becoming quite successful, Archibald, for good luck, chose the C. G. abbreviations, and selected Grant on the last name listing. Thus, Archibald Leach became known as Cary Grant.
Review of Singapore Sue
