Two sisters from Hungary become famous entertainers in the early 1900s. Fictionalized biography with lots of songs.1h 54min | Biography, Drama, Musical | 5 October 1945
Director: Irving Cummings
Stars: Betty Grable, John Payne, June Haver, SZ Sakall, Reginald Gardiner.
Angela Blue ... assistant choreographer
Seymour Felix ... choreographer
In the Tap! Appendix for Betty Grable, June Haver.
Based on real people called the Dolly Sisters, active in showbiz in the late 1910's-20s. The basic outline of the film does follow what's on the Wikipedia page, but seems independent of this film.
Performances (28 chapters, custom menu):
Based on real people called the Dolly Sisters, active in showbiz in the late 1910's-20s. The basic outline of the film does follow what's on the Wikipedia page, but seems independent of this film.
Performances (28 chapters, custom menu):
- ch3. "Hungarian Dance No. 5 (uncredited), Danced by Evon Thomas and Donna Jo Gribble (children), Betty Grable and June Haver
- ch6. The Vamp, Performed by Betty Grable and June Haver during the rehearsal at the Elmira theater
- ch7. I Can't Begin to Tell You, Sung by John Payne during the rehearsal at the Elmira theater
- ch9. Give Me the Moonlight, Give Me the Girl, Sung by Betty Grable, John Payne and chorus on record
- ch12. We Have Been Around, Performed by Betty Grable and June Haver
- ch13. Carolina in the Morning, Performed by Betty Grable and June Haver
- ch14. Don't Be Too Old Fashioned (Old Fashioned Girl), Performed by Betty Grable and June Haver
- ch15. Powder, Lipstick and Rouge, Performed by Betty Grable, June Haver, and showgirls
- ch17. I'm Always Chasing Rainbows, Sung by John Payne and Betty Grable
- ch19. The Darktown Strutters' Ball, Performed by Betty Grable, June Haver and showgirls
- ch23. medley of ...Rainbows, ...Oregon, ...Tell You, sung by John Payne
- ch26. The Sidewalks of New York, performed by Betty Grable and June Haver at the benefit
- ch28. I Can't Begin to Tell You, performed by John Payne, Betty Grable and June Haver
I don't feel the urge to highlight any of the performances above as favorites, although I like the song Chasing Rainbows. But some of the songs are staged to illustrate more than the performing talent of the characters; they move a love story forward, or show the anguish of romantic failure.
The commentary track is good; Drew Casper is a serious academician, and also a fan. He mentions that BG didn't like JH, who she felt was sanctimonious and hypocritical. Perhaps that lack of chemistry comes across somehow.
But we get a lot of songs, great Technicolor, terrific costumes/clothing, and a good cast. So I'm landing on 7...minus.
Fox, dir. Cummings; 7-
