The Fabulous Dorseys
United Artists, 1947, B/W, 89 minutes
Released February, 1947
The musical lives of Big Band leaders Tommy and Jimmy, as they fight their
way to the top while fighting with each other, trombone and clarinet at the ready.
The boys portray themselves in this biographical film that's strong on song. Among the many
musical highlights are "Green Eyes," "Running Wild," and "Marie." Outstanding personalities
guest starring Art Tatum, Charlie Barnet, Ziggy Elman, Bob Eberly and Helen O'Connell.
A superb showcase of the Big Band Era. [from back of VHS sleeve]
This film is apparently in the public domain, so all VHS tapes and DVDs are print-mastered.
The quality of at least some of these is not very good, but the one I have (Front Row
Entertainment) is watchable. A must-see for Big Band fans!
Producer: John W. Rogers
Director: Alfred E. Green
Screenplay: Art Arthur, Richard English and Curtis Kenyon
Music Director: Louis Forbes
Song Score: various
Choreography: Charles Baron
Art Direction: Duncan Cramer
Set Decoration: Robert Priestley
Gowns: Maria P. Donovan
Men's Wardrobe: Morrie Friedman
Special Effects: Alfred Schmid
Cinematography: James Van Trees
Film Editing: George Arthur
Cast:
Tommy Dorsey [Himself],
Jimmy Dorsey [Himself],
Janet Blair [Jane Howard],
Paul Whiteman [Himself],
William Lundigan [Bob Burton],
James Flavin [Gorman],
William Bakewell [Eddie],
Dave Willock [Foggy],
Sara Allgood [Mrs. Dorsey],
Arthur Shields [Mr.Dorsey],
Bobby Warde [Tommy as a Boy],
Buz Buckley [Jimmy as a Boy],
Ann Carter [Jane as a Girl],
Jackie Searl [Joe],
James Taggart [Phil],
Hal K. Dawson [Artie],
Andrew Tombes [De Witt],
Sherry Sherwood [Herself],
Tom Dugan [Waiter],
Edward Clark [Hotel Clerk],
Jack Roper [Radio Station Attendant],
Bess Flowers [Lady in Concert Audience],
Charlie Barnet,
Ziggy Elman,
Bob Eberly,
Mike Pingatore,
Helen O'Connell,
Henry Busse,
Art Tatum,
Ray Bauduc,
Stuart Foster,
Tommy Dorsey's Orchestra,
Jimmy Dorsey's Orchestra [Themselves]
Musical Program:
Green Eyes (Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra with vocals by Helen O'Connell and Bob Eberly);
Marie (Stuart Foster and Janet Blair with Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra);
I'll Never Say "Never Again" Again (The Dorsey Brothers);
I'm Getting Sentimental Over You (Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra);
Art's Blues;
At Sundown;
Dorsey Concerto;
Everybody's Doing It;
The Object of My Affection;
Running Wild;
To Me;
When You and I Were Young, Maggie;
Waitin' at the Gate for Katy (background instrumentals)
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Fancy Pants
Paramount, 1950, Color, 92 minutes, **½
Released July, 1950
Well, fancy that! Bob Hope and Lucille Ball join forces in a Technicolor
remake of Ruggles of Red Gap and let loose a stampede of laughs
Wise-cracking Bob is a teddibly, teddibly British valet brought to the Old West to
teach Old World charms to a certain redheaded tomboy. Of course, Bob's not really a valet.
He's an out-of-work actor who's stumbled across the role of his life. It's tea at 4:00 p.m.
and don't fan your soup with your hat, but will proper etiquette protect Bob from Lucy's
jilted beau? [from back of VHS sleeve]
Lots of slapstick, and pretty silly overall. But there are some good laughs, and "Home
Cookin'" is a great number. Good entertainment. [JJ]
Produced by: Robert L. Welch
Directed by: George Marshall
Assistant Director: Oscar Rudolph
Screenplay by: Edmund Hartmann and Robert O'Brien
Based on a story by Harry Leon Wilson ("Ruggles of Red Gap")
Music Score: Van Cleave
Songs by: Jay Livingston and Ray Evans
Specialty Number Staged by: Billy Daniels
Art Direction: Hans Dreier and Earl Hedrick
Set Decoration: Sam Comer and Emile Kuri
Women's Costumes: Mary Kay Dodson
Men's Costumes: Gile Steele
Makeup Supervision: Wally Westmore
Sound Recording by: Gene Merritt and Don Johnson
Director of Photography: Charles B. Lang, Jr.
Special Photographic Effects: Gordon Jennings
Process Photography: Farciot Edouart
Color by Technicolor
Technicolor Color Consultant: Francis Cugat
Edited by: Archie Marshek
Cast:
Bob Hope [Humphrey],
Lucille Ball [Agatha Floud],
Bruce Cabot [Carl Belknap],
Jack Kirkwood [Mike Floud],
Lea Penman [Effie Floud],
Hugh French [George VanBasingwell],
Eric Blore [Sir Wimbley],
Joseph Vitale [Wampum],
John Alexander [Teddy Roosevelt],
Norma Varden [Lady Maude],
Virginia Kelly [Rosalind],
Colin Keith-Johnston [Twombley],
Joe Wong [Wong],
Additional Cast:
Robin Hughes [Cyril],
Percy Helton [Major Fogarty],
Hope Sanberry [Millie],
Grace Albertson [Dolly],
Oliver Blake [Mr. Andrews],
Edgar Dearing [Mr. Jones],
Alva Lacy [Daisy],
Ida Moore [Betsy],
Almira Sessions [Belle],
Ethel Wales [Mrs. Wilkins],
Jean Ruth [Miss Wilkins],
Chester Conklin [Guest],
Jimmie Dundee,
Bob Kortman [Henchmen],
Major Sam Harris [Umpire],
Gilchrist Stuart [Wicket Keeper],
Olaf Hytten [Stage Manager],
Alex Frazer [Stagehand],
Charles Cooley [Man],
Howard Petrie,
Ray Bennett [Secret Service Men],
Harry Martin [Englishman],
Gilbert Alonzo,
David Alvarado,
Robert Dominguez,
Vincent Garcia,
Henry Mirelez,
Alfred Nunez [Indian Boys],
Hank Bell [Barfly],
Annette Warren [singing voice of Lucille Ball]
Musical Program:
[0:10] Yes M'Lord (sung by Bob Hope);
[0:49] The Old Chisolm Trail (sung by Lucille Ball and saloon patrons);
[0:51] Fancy Pants (sung by Annette Warren dubbing for Lucille Ball in saloon);
[1:02] Home Cookin' (production number performed by Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Jack Kirkwood, Lea Penman, Joseph Vitale and Joe Wong; Annette Warren dubbing for Lucille Ball)
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Fantasia
Disney, 1942, Color, 125 minutes (cut version 80 minutes)
General release January, 1942
Disney animators set pictures to classical music as Leopold Stokowski conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra. "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" features Mickey Mouse
as an aspiring magician who oversteps his limits. "The Rite of Spring" tells the story of evolution, from single-celled animals to the death of the dinosaurs. "Dance of the
Hours" is a comic ballet performed by ostriches, hippos, elephants and alligators. "Night on Bald Mountain" and "Ave Maria" set the forces of darkness and light against each
other as a devilish revel is interrupted by the coming of a new day. [David Thiel, Amazon]
Produced by: Walt Disney
Directed by: James Algar ("The Sorcerer's Apprentice"; Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield ("Rite of Spring"); T. Hee ("Dance of the Hours"); Wilfred Jackson ("Night on Bald Mountain" / "Ave Maria"); Samuel Armstrong ("Toccata and Fugue in D Minor" /
"The Nutcracker Suite"); Ford Beebe, Hamilton Luske ("The Pastoral Symphony")
Written by: Elmer Plummer, Phil Dike, Lee Blair ("Toccata and Fugue in D Minor"); Sylvia Moberly-Holland, Norman Wright, Albert Heath, Bianca Majolie, Graham Heid ("The Nutcracker Suite"); Carl Fallberg, Perce Pearce ("The Sorcerer's Apprentice");
William Martin, Leo Thiele, Robert Sterner, John McLeish ("Rite of Spring"); Webb Smith, Joseph Sabo, Otto Englander, George Stallings, Erdman Penner, Bill Peet ("The Pastoral Symphony"); Phil Dike, Campbell Grant, Arthur Heinemann ("Night on Bald
Mountain/Ave Maria")
Music: Johann Sebastian Bach ("Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV 565"); Modeste Mussorgsky ("A Night on Bald Mountain"); Franz Schubert ("Ave Maria"); Igor Stravinsky ("The Rite of Spring"); Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky ("Nutcracker Suite Op. 71a");
Ludwig van Beethoven ("6th symphony in F, Op.68 'Pastorale'")
Art Direction: Kenneth Anderson, J. Gordon Legg, Lance Nolley, Herbert Ryman, Yale Gracey, Hugh Hennesy ("The Pastoral Symphony"); Curtiss D. Perkins, Al Zinnen, Robert Cormack, Arthur Byram, Bruce Bushman ("The Nutcracker Suite"); Tom Codrick,
Charles Philippi, Zack Schwartz ("The Sorcerer's Apprentice"); Robert Cormack ("Toccata and Fugue in D Minor"); Harold Doughty, Ernest Nordli, Kendall O'Connor ("Dance of the Hours"); John Hubley, Dick Kelsey, McLaren Stewart ("Rite of Spring"); Kay
Nielsen, Charles Payzant, Thor Putnam, Terrell Stapp ("Night on Bald Mountain" / "Ave Maria")
Sound: William E. Garity, J. N. A. Hawkins, C. O. Slyfield
Choreography: Jules Engel
Movement Model: Marge Champion
Musical Director: Edward H. Plumb
Choral Director: Charles Henderson ("Night on Bald Mountain" / "Ave Maria")
Soloist: Julietta Novis ("Ave Maria")
Narrator: Deems Taylor
Musical Program:
"Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV 565" (Johann Sebastian Bach)
"A Night on Bald Mountain" (Modeste Mussorgsky)
"Ave Maria" (Franz Schubert)
"The Rite of Spring" (Igor Stravinsky)
"Nutcracker Suite Op. 71a" (Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky)
"6th symphony in F, Op.68 'Pastorale'" (Ludwig van Beethoven)
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The Farmer Takes a Wife
20th Century-Fox, 1953, Color, 81 minutes
General release July, 1953
The setting is the Erie Canal, New York, 1850. Molly Larkins, cook on
Jotham Klore's canal boat, has a love-hate relationship with her boss. She hires handsome
newcomer haul-horse driver Dan Harrow and the inevitable triangle develops (complicated by
Dan's desire to farm and Molly's to boat) against a background of the canalmen's fight
against the encroaching railroad.
Producer: Frank P. Rosenberg
Director: Henry Levin
Screenplay: Sally Benson, Walter Bullock, Joseph Field
Adapted from the play by Marc Connelly and Frank B. Elser
Based on the novel by Walter D. Edmonds
Background Score: Cyril J. Mockridge
Original Music: Harold Arlen and Dorothy Fields
Costume Design: Travilla
Special Effects: Fred Sersen
Cinematography: Arthur E. Arling
Film Editing: Louis R. Loeffler
Cast:
Betty Grable [Molly Larkin],
Thelma Ritter [Lucy Cashdollar],
Eddie Foy, Jr. [Fortune Friendly],
Kathleen Crowley [Susanna],
May Wynn [Eva Gooch],
Mel Pogue [Abner Green],
Gene Roth [Ethan McCarthy],
Lee Turnbull [Andy],
Dale Robertson [Daniel Harrow],
John Carroll [Jotham Klore],
Charlotte Austin [Pearl Dodd],
Merry Anders [Hannah],
Juanita Evers [Miss Kranz],
Ruth Hall [Abbie],
Donald Kerr [Jacob],
Noreen Michaels [Amy],
Mort Mills [Floyd],
William Pullen [John],
Ralph Sanford [Quack],
Gwen Verdon [Abigail],
Howard Negley [Governor Fish],
Jack Harris [Militia Officer],
Gordon Nelson [Race Official],
Don Garrett [Cab Driver],
Lee Phelps [Bartender],
John Butler [Drunk],
Martin Deane,
Brad Morrow [Boys],
Tony Taylor [Little Boy],
Kermit Maynard,
Ted Jordan [Drivers],
Max Wagner,
Ed Hinton,
Fred Aldrich,
John Close,
Paul Kruger,
Ralph Montgomery [Boaters],
Joanne Jordan [Boatwife],
Frank Mills,
Zon Murray,
Robert Williams [Townsmen]
Musical Program:
[0:00] Main Title (played by Orchestra);
[0:01] The Erie Canal (sung by Ensemble and Chorus);
[0:03] Today, I Love Everybody (sung by Betty Grable and Chorus, joined by Children);
[0:14] We're Doin' It for the Natives in Jamaica (sung by Eddy Foy, Jr., Thelma Ritter and Men's Chorus);
[0:15] Can You Spell Schenectady? (Sung and danced by Eddie Foy, Jr.);
[0:21] Somethin' Real Special (sung by Betty Grable and Dale Robertson);
[0:27] ? (instrumental number danced by guests at graduation party);
[0:29] We're Doin' It for the Natives in Jamaica (excerpt sung by John Carroll and drunken companions as they crash the graduation party);
[0:32] The Erie Canal (Production number sung by Ensemble and Chorus);
[0:43] With the Sun Warm Upon Me (sung by Dale Robertson, joined by Betty Grable for last few bars);
[0:52] We're in Business (Sung by Betty Grable, Dale Robertson, Gwen Verdon and Chorus; danced with pie pans by Betty Grable and Gwen Verdon);
[0:59] Somethin' Real Special (short reprisal by Betty Grable);
[1:18] Today, I Love Everybody (reprised by Betty Grable and Children);
[1:19] Finale ( I Could Cook and short reprisals of main songs by principals, danced by Chorus);
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Fashions of 1934
(aka Fashions)
First National, 1934, B/W, 78 minutes
Released February, 1934
Con artist William Powell and dress designer Bette Davis cavort around the Parisian world of fashion. Busby Berkeley's classic "Spin a Little Web of Dreams"
production number is a standout; songs include "Broken Melody." Reginald Owen, Frank McHugh co-star.
Producer: Henry Blanke
Director: William Dieterle
Screenplay: Carl Erickson, Gene Markey, Kathryn Scola and F. Hugh Herbert
(adapted from a story by Harry Collins and Warren Duff)
Music Director: Leo F. Forbstein
Musical Numbers Staged By: Busby Berkeley
Song Score: Irving Kahal and Sammy Fain
Art Direction: Jack Okey, Willy Pogany
Gowns: Orry-Kelly
Cinematography: William Rees
Film Editing: Jack Killifer
Cast:
William Powell [Sherwood Nash],
Bette Davis [Lynn Mason],
Frank McHugh [Snap],
Verree Teasdale [Grand Duchess Alix / Mabel McGuire],
Reginald Owen [Oscar Baroque],
Henry O'Neill [Duryea],
Philip Reed [Jimmy],
Hugh Herbert [Joe Ward],
Gordon Westcott [Harry Brent],
Dorothy Burgess [Glenda],
Etienne Girardot [Glass],
William Burress [Feldman],
George Humbert [Caponelli],
Hobart Cavanaugh [M. Gautier],
Nella Walker [Mrs. Van Tyle],
Spencer Charters [Telephone Man],
Frank Darien [Jules],
Harry Beresford [Bookseller],
Helen Freeman [Mme. Margot],
Sam McDaniel [Cleaning Man],
Lee Phelps [Desk Clerk],
Arthur Treacher [Butler],
Martin Kosleck [Dance Director],
Jane Darwell [Dowager],
Georges Renavent [Fashion Salon Owner],
Eric Wilton [2nd Butler],
Laura Treadwell [Woman],
Juliet Ware [Girl]
Musical Program:
Fashions of 1934;
Spin a Little Web of Dreams (Veree Teasdale);
Broken Melody;
Enough of You (instrumental);
Pardon the Expression (instrumental);
We Shouldn't Have Done It (instrumental)
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Fiddler on the Roof
United Artists, 1971, Color, 180 minutes, ****
Released November 1971
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Must See!
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"An outstanding accomplishment in every category" (Boxoffice), this
lavishly produced and critically acclaimed screen adaptation of the international stage
sensation tells the life-affirming story of Tevye (Topol), a poor milkman whose love, pride
and faith help him face the oppression of turn-of-the [20th] century czarist Russia.
Nomindated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director and featuring
such classic songs as "If I Were a Rich Man," "Matchmaker" and "Sunrise, Sunset," Fiddler
on the Roof is a universal story of hope, love and acceptance - "a stunning, joyful and
jubilant" (New York Daily News) musical masterpiece.
[from back of DVD case]
Though the story concentrates on the plight of Jewish people in a small Russian village, it has overtones of the struggle all of us face trying to understand the meaning of life and to cope
with a world that begins to pass us by as we grow older. Beautiful cinemetography, wonderful acting and beautiful music. Musical highlights include Topol's "If I Were a Rich Man," Frey's
"Miracle of Miracles," and the fabulous "Sunrise, Sunset." Not to be missed!
Filmed in Yugoslavia and London, England. "Our thanks to the people of the villages of Lekenik and Mala Gorica and the city of Zagreb, Yugoslavia."
MGM Classic Musicals Collection DVD Box Set (shown right) contains this film and
West Side Story,
Guys and Dolls,
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Produced and Directed by: Norman Jewison
Associate Producer: Patrick Palmer
Screenplay by: Joseph Stein
Based on the Stageplay "Fiddler on the Roof" Adapted from Sholem Aleichem stories by special agreement with Arnold Perl
Stageplay by Joseph Stein
Music for the Stageplay by Jerry Bock
Lyrics for the Stageplay by Sheldon Harnick
Produced on the New York Stage by Harold Prince
Entire Stage Production Directed and Choreographed by Jerome Robbins
Soloist: Isaac Stern
Music Director: John Williams
Music by: Jerry Bock
Lyrics by: Sheldon Harnick
Music Adapted and Conducted by: John Williams
Orchestrations by: John Williams, Alexander Courage
Original Choreography by: Jerome Robbins
Adapted for the Screen by: Tom Abbott
Assistant Choreographer: Sammy Bayes
Production Designer: Robert Boyle
Art Director: Michael Stringer
Set Decorator: Peter Lamont
Costumes Designed by: Elizabeth Haffenden and Joan Bridge
Makeup: Del Armstrong, Wally Schneiderman
Hairdresser: Gordon Bond
Sound: Gordon K. McCallum, David Hildyard
Director of Photography Oswald Morris
Filmed in Panavision, Colour by Technicolor
Film Editors: Antony Gibbs and Robert Lawrence
Awards: Academy Awards for Best Cinematography (Oswald Morris),
Best Song Score (John Williams)
and Best Sound (Gordon K. McCallum and David Hildyard).
Academy Award nominations for Best Picture,
Best Actor (Topol),
Best Supporting Actor (Leonard Frey),
Best Director (Norman Jewison),
Best Art Direction / Set Decoration (Robert F. Boyle, Michael Stringer, Peter Lamont)
Cast:
Topol [Tevye],
Norma Crane [Golde],
Leonard Frey [Motel],
Molly Picon [Yente],
Paul Mann [Lazar Wolf],
Rosalind Harris [Tzeitel],
Michele Marsh [Hodel],
Neva Small [Chava],
Michael Glaser [Perchik],
Raymond Lovelock [Fyedka],
Elaine Edwards [Shprintze],
Candy Bonstein [Bielke],
Shimen Ruskin [Mordcha],
Zvee Scooler [Rabbi],
Louis Zorich [Constable],
Alfie Scopp [Avram],
Howard Goorney [Nachum],
Barry Dennen [Mendel],
Vernon Dobtcheff [Russian Official],
Ruth Madoc [Fruma Sarah],
Patience Collier [Grandma Tzeitel],
Tutte Lemkow [Fiddler],
Stella Courtney [Shandel],
Jacob Kalich [Yankel],
Brian Coburn [Berl],
George Little [Hone],
Stanley Fleet [Farcel],
Arnold Diamond [Moishe],
Marika Rivera [Rifka],
Mark Malicz [Ezekial],
Aharon Ipale [Sheftel],
Roger Lloyd Pack [Sexton],
Vladimir Medar [Priest],
Sammy Bayes,
Larry Bianco,
Walter Cartier,
Peter Johnston,
Guy Lutman,
Donald MacLennan,
Rene Sartoris [Russian Dancers],
Roy Durbin,
Ken Robson,
Bob Stevenson,
Lou Zamprogna [Bottle Dancers],
Additional Cast:
Alfred Maron [Previous Rabbi],
Otto Diamant [Yussel],
Hazel Wright [Rebecca],
Carl Jaffe [Isaac],
Miki Iveria [Bess],
Hilda Kriseman [Zelda],
Sarah Cohen [Bashe],
Susan Sloman [Nechama],
Cyril Bass,
A. Haverstock,
Leo Wright,
C. C. Bilham,
M. Winter,
H. Krein [Village Band Members],
Ivan Baptie,
Michael Ingleton,
Jody Hall,
Barry Lines,
Adam Scott,
Albin Pahernik [Jewish Male Dancers],
Ina Claire,
Karen Trent,
Tanya Bayona,
Petra Siniawski [Jewish Female Dancers]
Musical Program:
[0:01] Tradition (spoken by Topol, sung by Topol and Chorus);
[0:09] Main Title: Fiddler on the Roof (played by Isaac Stern and Orchestra);
[0:18] Matchmaker, Matchmaker (performed by Rosalind Harris, Michele Marsh and Neva Small);
[0:24] If I Were a Rich Man (performed by Topol);
[0:39] Sabbath Prayer (sung by Topol, Norma Crane and Chorus);
[0:49] To Life (sung and danced by Topol, Paul Mann and Mens Chorus; turns into big dance number with Villagers and Russians);
[1:11] Tradition (continued by Topol);
[1:15] Miracle of Miracles (sung by Leonard Frey);
[1:22] Tevya's Dream (performed by Topol, Norma Crane, Ruth Madoc, Patience Collier and Chorus);
[1:32] Sunrise Sunset (sung by Topol, Norma Crane, Paul Michael Glaser, Michele Marsh and Chorus);
[1:36] Wedding Dance (danced by The Company);
[1:51] Entr'acte;
[1:53] Tradition (reprised by Chorus);
[2:01] Tradition (continued by Topol);
[2:06] Do You Love Me? (sung by Topol and Norma Crane);
[2:14] Far From the Home I Love (sung by Michele Marsh and Topol);
[2:30] Chava Ballet (sung by Topol, danced by Norma Crane, Neva Small and Raymond Lovelock);
[2:40] Anatevka (sung by Topol, Norma Crane, Paul Mann, Molly Picon, Barry Dennen, Shimen Ruskin and Chorus);
[2:57] Anatevka (hummed by Chorus);
[2:58] Fiddler on the Roof (played by Isaac Stern and Orchestra);
[2:59] Exit Music (played by Orchestra behind end credits)
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