Hair
United Artists, 1979, Color, 121 minutes, ***
Released March, 1979

If you're looking for deep symbology, metaphors or other hidden meanings in this film, forget it. Take it on surface value. The story is about a young draftee (Treat Williams) who travels to the Army processing facility in New York City. While there he befriends some young people who at least appear to be living in Central Park. They introduce him to a side of life he has not experienced (drugs, sex and music), and he is nearly knocked off-course. But he does make it to the processing center and is eventually sent to a boot camp in Nevada. His friends follow him there, and the ending of the film has an ironic and surprising twist.

The film has some really great music and some wonderful singing and dancing. It's worth watching just for that, and that's a good thing because the story itself is, though somewhat humorous, not much.

While on the subject, I would like to take this opportunity to refute the generally held belief today that all Baby Boomers were hippies, dropouts and freaks. This seems to be what most young pople today believe, and what is generally portrayed in television shows, films, etc. But it's simply not so. The vast majority of our generation were "straights," not into the drug scene, not protestors... not all the bad things that we seem to be remembered for as a generation. Many of us were just plain, hard-working folk, same as today. Remember, it's the squeaky wheels that get the grease.

WARNING: May not be suitable for family fare! It depends on what kind of family you have...

Produced by: Lester Persky and Michael Butler
Associate Producer: Robert Greenhut
Directed by: Milos Forman
Assistant Director: Michael Hausman
Based on the Musical Play, Book and Lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado
Produced for the Broadway Stage by: Michael Butler
Originally Produced by The New York Shakespeare Festival Theatre
Music Arranged and Conducted by: Galt MacDermot
Vocal Arranger and Conductor: Thomas Pierson
Song: "Somebody to Hold" by Rado Ragni and Mac Dermot; sung by Charlie Brown
Male vocal of "White Boys" recorded by The Stylistics
Screenplay by: Michael Weller
Musical Composer: Galt MacDermot
Choreography by: Twyla Tharp
Production Designer: Stuart Wurtzel
Set Decoration: George DeTitta
Costume Designer: Ann Roth
Hair Stylist: Vivienne Walker
Makeup Artist: Robert Mills
Directors of Photography: Richard Kratina, Jean Talvin
Additional Photographer: Richard Pearce
Special Effects: Al Griswold
Filmed in Panavision and Technicolor
Supervising Film Editor: Lynzee Klingman
Film Editors: Stanley Warnow, Alan Heim

Cast: John Savage [Claude], Treat Williams [Berger], Beverly D'Angelo [Sheila], Annie Golden [Jeannie], Dorsey Wright [Hud], Don Dacus [Woof], Cheryl Barnes [Hud's Fiancee], Richard Bright [Fenton], Nicholas Ray [The General], Charlotte Rae [Lady in Pink], Miles Chapin [Steve], Fern Tailer [Sheila's Mother], Charles Deney [Sheila's Father], Herman Meckler [Sheila's Uncle], Agness Breen [Sheila's Aunt], Antonia Rey [Berger's Mother], George Manos [Berger's Father], Linda Surh [Vietnamese Girl], Jane Booke [Debutante #1], Suki Love [Debutante #2], Joe Acord [Claude's Father], Michael Jeter [Sheldon], Janet York [Prison Psychiatrist], Rahsaan Curry [Lafayette, Jr.], Harry Gittleson [The Judge], Donald Alsdurf [MP], Steve Massicotte, Mario Nelson [Barracks Officers], The Twyla Tharpe Dancers [Dancers], American Ballet Theatre [Dancers]

Musical Program: [0:03] Aquarius (sung by Ren Woods, danced by Ensemble); [0:10] Sodomy (sung by Don Dacus); [0:12] Donna (sung by Treat Williams [onscreen] and Chorus, danced by Ensemble); [0:15] Hashish (sung by Chorus); [0:17] Colored Spade (sung by Toney Watkins, Carl Hall, Howard Porter and Chorus; danced by Ensemble); [0:19] Manchester (sung by Treat Williams [onscreen], John Savage and Chorus; danced by Ensemble); [0:20] I'm Black / Ain't Got No (sung by Nell Carter, Toney Watkins, Kurt Yahjian and Chorus; danced by Ensemble); [0:25] Party Music (instrumental); [0:32] I Got Life (sung by Treat Williams and Chorus, danced by Treat Williams); [0:41] Hair (sung and danced by Principals and Chorus); [0:46] L.B.J. (sung and danced by Chorus); [0:48] Old Fashioned Melody (sung by Ron Young) / Electric Blues (sung by Leata Galloway, Cyrena Lomba and Chorus; danced by Ensemble; Claude's hallucination); [0:52] Hare Krishna (sung by Chorus); [1:04] Where Do I Go? (sung by John Savage and Chorus); [1:07] Black Boys (sung by Laurie Beechman, Debi Dye, Ellen Foley, John Maestro, Fred Ferrara, Jim Rosica, Vincent Carella and Chorus) / White Boys (sung by Nell Carter, Charlaine Woodard, Trudy Perkins, Chuck Patterson, H. Douglas Berring, Russell Costen, Kenny Brawner, Lee Wells); [1:11] Walking in Space (sung by Chorus); [1:20] Easy to Be Hard (sung by Cheryl Barnes); [1:28] 3-5-0-0 (sung by Melba Moore, Ronnie Dyson and Chorus; danced by Ensemble); [1:32] Good Morning Starshine (sung by Beverly D'Angelo, Cheryl Barnes and Chorus); [1:37] Somebody to Love (sung on jukebox in background); [1:51] Manchester / Flesh Failures / Let the Sunshine In (sung by John DeRobertas, Grand L. Bush and Cast and Chorus); [1:57] Hair (sung by Chorus behind end credits)

Hallelujah!
MGM, 1929, B/W, 100 minutes, ***
Released August, 1929

In a juke joint, sharecropper Zeke falls for a beautiful dancer, Chick, but she's only setting him up for a rigged craps game. He loses $100, the money he got for the sale of his family's entire cotton crop. His brother Spunk is mortally wounded in the shoot-out which follows. Zeke goes away but returns as Brother Zekiel the preacher. His forceful preaching draws the faithful in large numbers. Even Chick wants to be saved. Zekiel has asked the pretty Missy Rose to marry him, but Chick can still cast a spell over the preacher...

Hallelujah is a cinematic milestone: the first all-black feature from a major studio and famed director King Vidor's (The Champ, The Big Parade) first talkie. But the film surpasses its historical significance, telling a story of such profound dignity and understanding that it as fresh and moving as the day it premiered. Featuring a largely unknown cast and infused with spirituals, folk songs, blues and jazz (Irving Berlin provided two songs for the production), Hallelujah follows the fortunes of Zeke (Daniel L. Haynes), a poor cotton farmer. He succumbs to the temptations of Chick (Nina Mae McKinney), a mercenary honky-tonk girl, finds salvation in religion, and falls again when his obsession for Chick overpowers his better self. Love, loss, passion, redemption and brilliant moviemaking: Hallelujah has it all.

There is a lot of music in this film. Most of it consists of old Negro Spirituals, some old folk songs. I don't know all the songs - some of them may have been entirely impromptu. I've tried to list the ones I do know here, but there are many that I just don't know. Really great singing going on throughout the film. This film will immerse you in the black culture of the slave days! It is outstanding, a one-of-a-kind experience.

Produced by: King Vidor, Irving Thalberg
Director: Milos Forman
Screenplay: King Vidor (story), Wanda Tuchock (scenario), Ransom Rideout (dialogue), Richard Schayer (treatment), Marian Ainslee (titles)
Musical Composer: Irving Berlin and various
Art Director: Cedric Gibbons
Cinematography: Gordon Avil
Editors: Hugh Wynn, Anton Stevenson

Cast: Daniel L. Haynes [Zekial "Zeke" Johnson], Nina Mae McKinney [Chick], William Fountaine [Hot Shot], Harry Gray [Parson Pappy Johnson], Fanny Belle DeKnight [Mammy Johnson], Everett McGarrity [Spunk Johnson], Victoria Spivey [Missy Rose], Milton Dickerson, Robert Couch, Walter Tait [Johnson Children], Dixie Jubilee Singers [Vocal Group], Matthew "Stymie" Beard [Child], William Allen Garrison [Heavy], Sam McDaniel [Adam], Blue Washington [Congregation Member], Evelyn Pope Burwell, Eddie Conners, Eva Jessye [Singers]

Musical Program: Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child (sung by Chorus under titles); Go Down Moses (O, Let My People Go) (sung by Chorus under titles); Old Folks at Home (sung a capella by cotton pickers); Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride) (played on harmonium by Victoria Spivey); Waiting at the End of the Road (sung by Daniel L. Haynes and the Dixie Jubilee Singers, reprised by Daniel L. Haynes); Swanee Shuffle (sung by Nina Mae McKinney, danced by McKinney and Ensemble); Swing Low, Sweet Chariot (sung a cappella by Daniel L. Haynes); Get On Board Little Children (sung a cappella by Church Congregation); (Gimme Dat) Old Time Religion (sung a cappella by Church Congregation, reprised by Nina Mae McKinney); St. Louis Blues (sung a cappella by Nina Mae McKinney); Goin' Home, Goin' Home (sung by Daniel L. Haynes with guitar accompaniment)

There are numerous other song fragments that I don't recognize. It is said that the slaves used songs for a system of coded communication... some may have been extemperaneous, others were well known - even today.

Hallelujah, I'm a Bum
United Artists, 1933, B/W, 82 minutes, ***
Released February, 1933

Classic early musical boasting tunes by Rodgers and Hart, rhyming dialogue and Al Jolson as a New York tramp who falls in love with the mayor's amnesiac girlfriend after rescuing her from a suicide attempt. With Madge Evans, Frank Morgan, Harry Langdon; songs include "I'd Do It Again," "You Are Too Beautiful."

At the time of this writing (summer 2007) there are very few Jolie films that have made the transition from VHS to DVD. That's a shame, especially since nearly all of the VHS tapes are out of print, as are the laser disks. But, some are still available - old rentals and copies from old collections.

Jolie was from a different era (duh). He was one of the first musical superstars. Though his singing style may sound strange at first, as it's so different than anything we've heard in the past half-century, he has grown on me. I'm a fan now. He was a true showman. I do hope more of his films make it to DVD eventually, though I'm not holding my breath.

Produced and Directed By: Lewis Milestone
Screenplay: S.N. Behrman (based on a story by Ben Hecht)
Music Director: Alfred Newman
Song Score: Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers
Art Direction: Richard Day
Costume Design: Milo Anderson
Cinematography: Lucien Andriot
Film Editing: W. Duncan Mansfield

Cast: Al Jolson [Bumper], Madge Evans [June Marcher], Frank Morgan [Mayor Hastings], Harry Langdon [Egghead], Chester Conklin [Sunday], Tyler Brooke [Mayor's Secretary], Tammany Young [Orlando], Bert Roach [John], Edgar Connor [Acorn], Dorothea Wolbert [Apple Mary], Louise Carver [Ma Sunday], Harold Goodwin [Burr McIntosh], Richard Rodgers [Bank Teller], Lorenz Hart [Bank Teller]

Musical Program: Hallelujah, I'm a Bum (Al Jolson); I Gotta Get Back to New York (Al Jolson); My Pal Bumper (Edgar Connor, Al Jolson, Harry Langdon and Chorus); Laying the Corner Stone (Frank Morgan and Chorus); Dear June (Al Jolson); Bumper Found a Grand (Edgar Connor, Al Jolson, Harry Langdon and Chorus); What Do You Want with Money (Al Jolson); Kangaroo Court (Edgar Connor, Al Jolson, Harry Langdon and Chorus); I'd Do It Again (Al Jolson); You Are Too Beautiful (Al Jolson)

Hans Christian Andersen
RKO, 1952, Color, 112 minutes, ***½
Released November, 1952

Danny Kaye stars as the Danish cobbler-turned-storyteller extraordinaire in a fanciful family favorite, loosely based on Andersen's life. Lavish sets and ballet sequences and a Frank Loesser score that includes "Inchworm," "Thumbelina" and "The Ugly Duckling" add to this timeless fantasy.

A truly beautiful production - wonderful sets, costumes and photography. Danny Kaye is quite believeable as Andersen. Definitely one of his best films.

The film begins with "Once upon a time there lived in Denmark a great storyteller named Hans Christian Andersen. This is not the story of his life, but a fairy tale about this great spinner of fairy tales."

Produced by: Samuel Goldwyn
Directed by: Charles Vidor
Screenplay: Moss Hart
Based on a Story by Myles Connolly
Musical Composer: Frank Loesser
Musical Director: Walter Scharf
Words and Music by: Frank Loesser
Orchestrations by: Jerome Moross
Choreography by: Roland Petit
The Prince in "The Little Mermaid" Ballet danced by Roland Petit
Art Directors: Richard Day and Clavé
Set Decorations by: Howard Bristol
Ballet Costumes: Designed by Clavé, Executed by Madame Karinska
Other Costumes Designed by: Mary Wills
Make-up: Del Armstrong
Hair Stylist: Helen Turpin
Sound Recorder: Fred Lau
Director of Photography: Harry Stradling
Special Photographic Effects: Clarence Slifer
Color by Technicolor
Technicolor Color Consultant: Richard Mueller
Film Editor: Daniel Mandell

Awards: Academy Award nominations for Best Sound Recording; Best Art Direction/Set Decoration (Color); Best Color Cinematography; Best Costume Design (Color); Best Score (Musical) and Best Song ("Thumbelina")

Cast: Danny Kaye [Hans Christian Andersen], Farley Granger [Niels], introducing Jeanmaire [Doro], Joey Walsh [Peter], Philip Tonge [Otto], Erik Bruhn [The Hussar], Roland Petit [The Prince in "The Little Mermaid Ballet"], John Brown [Schoolmaster], John Qualen [Burgomaster], Jeanne Lafayette [Celine], Robert Malcolm [Stage Doorman], George Chandler [Farmer], Fred Kelsey [First Gendarme], Gil Perkins [Second Gendarme], Peter Votrian [Lars], Additional Cast: Betty Uitti [Princess], Jack Klaus [Sea Witch]

Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:05] The King's New Clothes (sung by Danny Kaye and Children); [0:13] Inchworm (sung by Danny Kaye and Children); [0:24] I'm Hans Christian Andersen (sung by Danny Kaye); [0:26] Wondeful Copenhagen (sung by Danny Kaye, Joey Walsh, Sailor Ensemble and Chorus); [0:31] I'm Hans Christian Andersen (continued by Danny Kaye); [0:35] Thumbelina (sung by Danny Kaye); [0:37] Ice Skating Ballet (danced by Jeanmaire, Erik Bruhn and Ensemble); [0:50] Dream Ballet (performed by Jeanmaire, Danny Kaye and Farley Granger); [1:01] The Ugly Duckling (sung by Danny Kaye); [1:06] Anywhere I Wander (sung by Danny Kaye); [1:11] I'm Hans Christian Andersen (continued by Danny Kaye); [1:15] Fantasy Wedding Sequence / No Two People (performed by Danny Kaye, Jeanmaire and Chorus); [1:26] The Little Mermaid Ballet (danced by Jeanmaire, Roland Petit, and the Roland Petit Ballet); [1:49] The Ugly Ducking / Wonderful Copenhagen / The King's New Clothes / Thumbelina / I'm Hans Christian Andersen (reprised by Danny Kaye, Children and Chorus)

Hansel and Gretel
(aka Cannon Movie Tales: Hansel and Gretel)
Golan-Globus / Cannon, 1988, Color, 84 minutes, ***

See list of all Cannon Movie Tales

In this live-action version of the classic fairy tale, Hansel (Hugh Pollard) and Gretel (Nicola Stapelton) are the offspring of an impoverished woodcutter (David Warner) and his wife (Emily Richard) who wander into the woods in this Grimm Brother's fairy tale. The trail of bread crumbs they leave to find their way back is eaten by birds, and the children are lured into the gingerbread house of the wicked witch (Cloris Leachman).

Beautifully photographed and charmingly enacted. The children are perfect, and David Warner is wonderful as their devoted father. Cloris Leachman has to be the scariest witch ever to haunt the silver screen!

Producer: Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus
Associate Producer: Patricia Ruben
Executive Producer: Itzik Kol
Director: Len Talan
Screenplay by: Nancy Weems and Len Talan
   (based on the classic fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm)
Original Music: Frank Barber (adapted from the Opera)
Music: Engelbert Humperdinck (from the opera "Hänsel und Gretel")
Adapted and Orchestrated by: Frank Barber
Choreography: Christine Oren
Production Designer: Marek Dobrowolski
Art Direction: Avishay Avivi
Costume Designer: Meira Steinmatz
Special Effects: Terry Glass
Director of Photography: Ilan Rosenberg
Editor: Irit Raz

Cast: Hugh Pollard [Hansel], Nicola Stapleton [Gretel], David Warner [Father], Emily Richard [Mother], Cloris Leachman [Grizelda The Witch], Susie Miller [Marta], Eugene Kline [Farmer], Warren M. Feigin [Baker], Josh Buland [Baker's Boy], Lutuf Nouasser [Blacksmith], Beatrice Shimshoni [Ribbon Lady], Fatima the Donkey

Musical Program: [0:12] Punch and Judy's Dance (sung and danced by Punch and Judy and Children); [0:21] Punch and Judy's Dance (sung and danced by Nicola Stapleton and Hugh Pollard); [0:27] The Fairy Song (sung by Nicola Stapleton); [0:30] Oh, What a Day (sung by David Warner); [0:41] Sugar and Spice (sung by Cloris Leachman); [1:17] The Witch Is Dead (sung by Children's Chorus)

The Happiest Millionaire
Walt Disney, 1967, Color, 144 minutes, ***½
Released November, 1967

It's Philadelphia, 1916. The daughter of an eccentric millionaire (Fred MacMurray), Cordy (Lesley Ann Warren), falls in love with socialite Angier (John Davidson), but has trouble finding acceptance by his snooty mother (Geraldine Page). But true love can conquer all problems. Lots of laughs in this cute comedy with a great cast and a wonderful Sherman Brothers song score. High points include Gladys Cooper and Geraldine Page in "There Are Those," Steele, Warren, Baddeley and MacMurray in the high-stepping "I'll Always Be Irish," Bulifant and Warren slinking around their dorm room in "Bye-Yum Pum Pum" and Lesley Ann Warren and John Davidson in the beautiful "Are We Dancing?"

Producer: Walt Disney
Co-Producer: Bill Anderson
Directed by: Norman Tokar
Assistant Director: Paul Cameron
Screenplay by: A. J. Carothers
Based on the Play by: Kyle Crichton
Suggested by a Book by: Cordelia Drexel Biddle and Kyle Crichton ("My Philadelphia Father")
Produced for the New York Stage by: Howard Erskine and Joseph Hayes
Music Supervised, Arranged and Conducted by: Jack Elliott
Music and Lyrics: Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Musical Numbers Staged by: Marc Breaux and Dee Dee Wood
Art Directors: Carroll Clark, John B. Mansbridge
Set Decorators: Emile Kuri, Frank R. McKelvy
Costumes Designd by: Bill Thomas
Make=up by: Gordon Hubbard
Hair Stylist: Vivienne Zavitz
Sound Supervisor: Robert O. Cook
Director of Photography: Edward Colman
Color by Technicolor
Special Effects: Eustace Lycett, Peter Ellenshaw
Film Editor: Cotton Warburton

Awards: Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design

Cast: Fred MacMurray [Father], Greer Garson [Mother], Gladys Cooper [Aunt Mary], Geraldine Page [Mrs. Duke], Tommy Steele [John Lawless], Hermione Baddeley [Mrs. Worth], John Davidson [Angier], Lesley Ann Warren [Cordy], Paul Petersen [Tony], Eddie Hodges [Livingston], Joyce Bulifant [Rosemary], Sean McClory [Police Sgt.], Jim McMullan [Lt. Powell], William Wellman, Jr. [Lt. Grayson], Aron Kincaid [Walter Blakely], Larry Merrill [Charlie Taylor], Frances Robinson [Aunt Gladys]

Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (played by Orchestra); [0:05] Fortuosity (sung and danced by Tommy Steele); [0:12] What's Wrong with That! (sung by Fred MacMurray joined by Lesley Ann Warren); [0:18] Watch Your Footwork (sung by Paul Petersen and Eddie Hodges); [0:22] Valentine Candy (sung by Lesley Ann Warren); [0:26] Strengthen the Dwelling (sung by Fred MacMurray and the Biddle Bible Class); [0:41] I'll Always Be Irish (sung and danced by Tommy Steele with Fred MacMurray, Lesley Ann Warren and Hermione Baddeley); [0:50] Bye-Yum Pum Pum (sung and danced by Joyce Bulifant and Lesley Ann Warren); [0:59] Are We Dancing? (sung and danced by John Davidson and Lesley Ann Warren); [1:14] Detroit (sung by John Davidson); [1:34] Fortuosity (reprised by Tommy Steele with a cakewalk by Tommy Steele and George); [1:37] Entr'Act: "Bye-Yum Pum Pum" / "Are We Dancing" (played by Orchestra); [1:58] When a Man Has a Daughter (a few bars) / What's Wrong with That (reprised by Fred MacMurray); [2:01] short segment from the opera CARMEN (sung by Fred MacMurray); [2:06] There Are Those (sung by Gladys Cooper and Geraldine Page); [2:18] production number: Let's Have a Drink On It (sung and danced by Tommy Steele, John Davidson and Ensemble in pub); [2:42] It Won't Be Long 'Til Christmas (sung by Greer Garson and Fred MacMurray); [2:47] Let's Have a Drink On It (reprised by Biddle Bible Class); [2:48] end credits and exit music (played by Orchestra; "Fortuosity" reprised by Tommy Steele)

Happy Go Lovely
Excelsior Films / Associated British Picture Corporation (UK)
Distrubuted in US by RKO, 1951, Color, 95 minutes, ***
Released March, 1951 (UK)
Released July, 1951 (USA)

The Edinburgh Festival (Scotland) provides a colorful background for this lively musical comedy. When penniless dancer Janet Jones (Vera-Ellen) emerges from a limousine at the festival, she's mistaken for the girfriend of the car's millionaire owner - when in fact, she'd only hitched a ride with the driver. Suddenly Broadway director John Frost (Cesar Romero) wants her in his next musical in order to get financing from this "millionaire boyfriend." Soon Janet is romanced by B. G. Bruno (David Niven), the limo's real millionaire owner.

The musical numbers include "One-Two-Three," "Would You - Could You?" and "London Town." Filmed in England, the "Happy Go Lovely" cast is filled with popular British stars such as Bobby Howes, Joyce Carey and Kay Kendall. [from back of DVD case]

Very cute comedy with a number of mistaken identities, which seem to snowball out of control and eventually lead to a romance between theater chorus girl turned star and a greeting card company owner. Vera-Ellen and David Niven are wonderful together.

Produced by: Marcel Hellman
Production Manager: Gerry Mitchell
Directed by: Bruce Humberstone
Screenplay by: Val Guest
Based on a film story by F. Dammann and Dr. H. Rosenfeld
Music by: Mischa Spoliansky
Lyrics: "MacIntosh's Wedding"; One-Two-Three by Mischa Spoliansky; Would You - Could You? by Jack Fishman
Orchestra under the direction of: Louis Levy
Ballet Sequences by: Pauline Grant
Dance Sequences by: Jack Billings
Art Director: John Howell
Assistant Art Director: Robert Jones
Dialogue Director: Desmond Davis
Costumes: Anna Duse
Make-up Artist: Nell Taylor
Hair Styles: Jean Bear
Recording Director: Harold V. King
Sound Recording: Cecil V. Thornton
Director of Photography: Erwin Hillier
Coulour by Technicolor
Technicolor Color Consultant: Joan Bridge
Editor: Bert Bates
Made at the Elstree Studios of Associated Picture Coporation, LTD., England

Cast: (from credits reel) David Niven [B. G. Bruno], Vera-Ellen [Janet Jones], Cesar Romero [John Frost], Bobby Howes [Charlie], Diane Hart [Mae], Gordon Jackson [Paul Tracy], Barbara Couper [Madame Amanda], Henry Hewitt [Dodds], Gladys Henson [Mrs. Urquhart], Hugh Dempster [Bates, Bruno's Chauffeur], Sandra Dorne [Betty], Joyce Carey [Bruno's Secretary], John Laurie [Jonskill], Wylie Watson [Stage Door Keeper], Joan Heal [Phyllis Gardiner], Hector Ross [Harold], Ambrosine Phillpotts [Lady Martin], Molly Urquhart [Madame Amanda's Assistant], David Lober, Jonathon Lucas, Jack Billings, Douglas Scott and His Debonair Boys, Rolf Alexander, Ian Stuart, Leon Biedkyski [Principal Dancers], Additional Cast: Kay Kendall [Secretary], Eve Boswell [singing voice for Vera-Ellen]

Musical Program: [0:02] MacIntosh's Wedding (Sung by Joan Heal, danced Vera-Ellen, principal dancers and Chorus); [0:35] One-Two-Three (sung by Eve Boswell dubbing for Vera-Ellen with Chorus, danced by Vera-Ellen, principal dancers and Chorus); [1:05] ? (played by wandering violinists at restaurant); [1:08] ? (danced by Vera-Ellen and David Niven at restaurant); [1:10] ? (danced by Vera-Ellen and David Niven at restaurant); [1:19] "Frolics to You" opening number (instrumental danced by Vera-Ellen and principal dancers -- some great dancing!); [1:33] Would You - Could You? (sung by Eve Boswell dubbing for Vera-Ellen joined by Chorus, danced by Vera-Ellen); "London Town" (Danced by Vera-Ellen, Principal Dancers and Chorus)

Happy Landing
20th Century-Fox, 1938, B/W, 75 minutes, ***
Released January, 1938

Bandleader Duke Sargent (Cesar Romero) meets Trudy Erickson (Sonja Henie) in Norway, and dances with her twice - which turns out to be a marriage proposal by local custom. Duke high-tails it back to America, but Trudy follows him. Once there, Jimmy Hall (Don Ameche), Duke's manager, tries to save Trudy from philanderer Duke by offering to make her into a big skating star. Though Trudy is taken in by Sargent's romantic flirtations, she soon discovers he has another love interest in Flo Kelly (Ethel Merman), so she finally gives in to Jimmy's offer. He launches her professional skating career, and she becomes a star. But a romantic entanglement traps the foursome in a scandal which rocks the boat for everyone involved.

Sonja's third film is more of a "screwball" comedy than a musical, and it doesn't really center around Sonja's skating as many of her films do. But it is crammed full of music, and features some nice skating numbers as well.

In Charge of Production: Darryl F. Zanuck
Associate Producer: David Hempstead
Directed by: Roy Del Ruth
Original Screen Play by: Milton Sperling and Boris Ingster
Musical Direction: Louis Silvers
Music and Lyrics by: Sam Pokrass and Jack Yellen
"You Appeal to Me" by Walter Bullock and Harold Spina
"War Dance of the Wooden Indians" by Raymond Scott
Dances Staged by: Harry Losee
Art Direction: Bernard Herzbrun, Mark-Lee Kirk
Set Decorations by: Thomas Little
Costumes: Royer
Sound: Eugene Grossman, Roger Heman
Photography: John Mescall
Film Editor: Louis Loeffler

Cast: Sonja Henie [Trudy Ericksen], Don Ameche [Jimmy Hall], Jean Hersholt [Herr Ericksen], Ethel Merman [Flo Kelly], Cesar Romero [Duke Sargent], Billy Gilbert [Counter Man], Raymond Scott Quintet [Themselves], Wally Vernon [Al Mahoney], Leah Ray, Condos Brothers [Specialties], El Brendel [Yonnie], Marcelle Corday [Gypsy], Joseph Crehan [Agent], Eddie Conrad [Waiter], Ben Welden [Skating Rink Manager], Additional Cast: Alex Novinsky [Count], Robert Lowery, Lon Chaney Jr. [Reporters], The Peters Sisters [Themselves]

Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (played by Orchestrra behind titles); [0:04] You Are the Music to the Words in My Heart (short excerpt sung by Ethel Merman with Cesar Romero at the piano onscreen); [0:09] unidentified polka (excerpt danced by Villagers); [0:15] unidentified polka (danced by Sonja Henie and Cesar Romero and Villagers); [0:19] unidentified polka (danced by Sonja Henie and Cesar Romero and Villagers, then danced by Jean Hersholt); [0:24] Festival Scene from the Snow Maiden Ballet (skated by Sonja Henie and Ensemble, some vocals by Chorus); [0:32] unidentified instrumental number (played by neon-lighted "Duke Sargent and The Swing Rings"); [0:33] A Gypsy Told Me (sung by Leah Ray); [0:37] Hot and Happy (sung by Ethel Merman); [0:44] unidentifed instrumental number (played by "Duke Sargent and His Orchestra"); [0:46] War Dance of the Wooden Indians (instrumental played by Raymond Scott Quintet [as "Dick Sargent and His Orchestra], danced by the Condos Brothers costumed as wooden Indians); [0:56] Strauss Waltz (skated by Sonja Henie, Don Ameche and Ensemble at public skating rink); [0:59] Yonnie and His Oompah (sung by El Brendel and Chorus, skated by Sonja Henie and Ensemble); [1:04] Montage / instrumental medley (skated by Sonja Henie); [1:07] Billy Gilbert Counter-Man comedy routine; [1:09] A Gypsy Told Me (played on jukebox, sung by Don Ameche, danced by Ameche and Sonja Henie); [1:12] Happy Birthday to You (sung by Billy Gilbert to Sonja Henie); [1:22] You Appeal to Me (sung by Ethel Merman, joined by the Raymond Scott Quintet); [1:34] Medley: You Appeal to Me / A Gypsy Told Me / Hot and Happy (instrumental, skated by Sonja Henie and Ensemble on Carlton Roof in New York); [1:40] Happy in Love (sung by Chorus, skated by Sonja Henie and Chorus)

For more information see:


Sonja Henie Snapshot
Visit this Class Act Sister Site!

A Hard Day's Night
United Artists / Miramax, 1964, B/W, 97 minutes, ***
Released July, 1964 (UK)
Released August, 1964 (USA)

John, Paul, George and Ringo travel with their entourage to London to appear in a live television broadcast. Paul's grandfather goes with them, but disappears into the nightclub life as soon as they arrive, leaving the Beatles to search the town for him, providing them a chance for some nightlife, themselves. But the next day, miffed about the boys' interference with his nightlife, grandpa disappears again. Are the boys going to make the live appearance, or are they going to spend their entire time in London chasing after Grandpa??

The film was made in a "day-in-the-life" documentary style, with some real footage of screaming fans. But most is scripted. It's entertaining, and interesting to hear the opinions of various people toward The Beatles and rock music in general. In 1964, everyone thought it was all just a passing fad...

Produced by: Walter Shenson
Associate Producer: Denis O'Dell
Directed by: Richard Lester
Assistant Director: John D. Merriman
Original Screenplay by: Alun Owen
Musical Composer: John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Musical Director: George Martin
Songs by: John Lennon and Paul McCartney
Art Director: Ray Simm
Make-up: John O'Gorman
Hair Styling: Betty Glasow
Director of Photography: Gilbert Taylor
Editor: John Jympson

Awards: Academy Award nominations for Best Original Story and Screenplay and Best Adapted Score.

Cast: John Lennon [John], Paul McCartney [Paul], George Harrison [George], Ringo Starr [Ringo], Wilfrid Brambell [Grandfather], Norman Rossington [Norm], John Junkin [Shake], Victor Spinetti [TV Director], Anna Quayle [Millie], Deryck Guyler [Police Inspector], Richard Vernon [Man on Train], Eddie Malin [Hotel Waiter], Robin Ray [TV Floor Manager], Lionel Blair [TV Choreographer], Alison Seebohm [Secretary], David Jaxon [Young Boy], Additional Cast: Kenneth Haigh [Simon], Marianne Stone [Society Reporter], David Langton [Actor], Clare Kelly [Barmaid], Michael Trubshawe [Casino Manager]

Musical Program: [0:00] I'll Cry Instead (sung by the Beatles; this tune was not in the original print in 1964); [0:02] A Hard Day's Night (sung by The Beatles behind titles); [0:15] I Should Have Known Better (sung by The Beatles); [0:21] I Wanna Be Your Man (excerpt sung by The Beatles, danced by The Beatles and Girl Fans); [0:23] Don't Bother Me (excerpt sung by The Beatles, danced by The Beatles and Girl Fans); [0:24] All My Loving (excerpt sung by The Beatles, danced by The Beatles and Girl Fans); [0:34] If I Fell (sung by The Beatles rehearsing in televsion studio); [0:39] Can't Buy Me Love (sung by The Beatles); [0:47] Opera excerpt (unidentified); [0:50] And I Love Her (sung by The Beatles); [0:55] I'm Happy Just to Dance with You (sung by The Beatles); [1:02] This Boy (Ringo's Theme) (instrumental performed by the George Martin Orchestra); [1:13] Can't Buy Me Love (sung by The Beatles); The TV Show: [1:16] Tell Me Why (sung by The Beatles); [1:18] If I Fell (sung by The Beatles); [1:20] I Should Have Known Better (sung by The Beatles); [1:23] She Loves You (sung by The Beatles); [1:26] A Hard Day's Night (sung by The Beatles behind end credits)

Harum Scarum
(aka Harem Holiday)
MGM, 1965, Color, 95 minutes, **½
Released November, 1965

When dashing matinee idol Johnny Tyronne (Elvis) is kidnapped, he's swept into an Arabian Nights scenario run amok, complete with an assassination plot against a chic sheik and a dazzling damsel in distress (Mary Ann Mobley). It's a swashbuckling delight featuring nine hit songs including "Harem Holiday," "Golden Coins," "Shake That Tambourine" and "Go East Young Man."  [from back of VHS sleeve]

A definite high-point of this otherwise routine comedy is the scene where Elvis dances with Vicki Malkin - reminiscent of the Hat Dance scene danced by Gene Kelly and Sharon McManus in Anchors Aweigh (1945). Very cute! Elvis' songs are all wonderful, especially "Golden Coins." Costumes are great. The stage settings are those used for the 1925 film "King of Kings," though the higher film definition and color of 1965 doesn't do the set any favors.

Produced by: Sam Katzman
Directed by: Gene Nelson
Assistant Director: Eddie Saeta
Written by: Gerald Drayson Adams
Technical Advisor: Colonel Tom Parker
Music Supervised and Conducted by: Fred Karger
Vocal Backgrounds by: The Jordanaires
Song Score: Bill Giant, Bernie Baum, Florence Kaye
Choreography by: Earl Barton
Art Direction: George W. Davis and H. McClure Capps
Set Decoration: Henry Grace; Don Greenwood, Jr.
Costume Design: Beau Vanden Ecker, Gene Ostler, Margo Weintz
Make-Up by: William Tuttle
Hair Styles by: Sydney Guilaroff
Recording Supervision: Franklin Milton
Director of Photography: Fred H. Jackman
Filmed in Metrocolor
Film Editor: Ben Lewis

Cast: Elvis Presley [Johnny Tyronne], Mary Ann Mobley [Princess Shalimar], Fran Jeffries [Aishah], Michael Ansara [Prince Dragna], Jay Novello [Zacha], Philip Reed [King Toranshah], Theo Marcuse [Sinan], Billy Barty [Baba], Dirk Harvey [Mokar], Jack Costanzo [Julna], Larry Chance [Captain Herat], Barbara Werle [Leilah], Brenda Benet [Emerald], Gail Gilmore [Sapphire], Wilda Taylor [Amethyst], Vicki Malkin [Sari], Ryck Rydon [Mustapha], Richard Reeves [Scarred Bedouin], Joey Russo [Yussef], The Jordanaires [background vocals]

Musical Program: [0:00] Harem Holiday (sung behind titles by Elvis Presley and The Jordanaires offscreen); [0:03] My Desert Serenade (sung in movie "Sands in the Desert" by Elvis Presley onscreen, accompanied by The Jordanaires offscreen); [0:05] Go East Young Man (sung onscreen by Elvis Presley at preview of "Sands at the Desert," accompanied by The Jordanaires offscreen); [0:12] Mirage (sung by Elvis Presley onscreen, accompanied by The Jordanaires offscreen); [0:26] Kismet (Elvis Presley onscreen, accompanied by The Jordanaires offscreen); [0:32] Shake That Tambourine (danced by Gail Gilmore, Wilda Taylor and Brenda Benet, sung and danced by Elvis Presley onscreen accompanied by The Jordanaires offscreen); [0:42] Hey Little Girl (danced by Vicki Malkin, sung and danced by Elvis Presley onscreen, accompanied by The Jordanaires offscreen); [0:47] Golden Coins (sung by Elvis Presley onscreen, accompanied by The Jordanaires offscreen); [0:53] unidentified Arab-esque dance number (danced by Gail Gilmore, Wilda Taylor and Brenda Benet); [0:56] So Close, Yet So Far (From Paradise) (sung by Elvis Presley onscreen, accompanied by The Jordanaires offscreen); [1:22] Harem Holiday (sung by Elvis Presley onscreen, danced by Harem Girls, accompanied by The Jordanaires offscreen)

The Harvey Girls
MGM, 1946, Color, 101 minutes, ***½
Released January, 1946

MGM's answer to "Oklahoma!" this western-musical-comedy follows the plight of the Harvey House waitresses in their battle to tame the wild west. Mid-westerner Susan Bradley (Judy Garland) moves to Sandrock, New Mexico to marry her lonely-heart pen-pal, H. H. Hartsey. But when she discovers that he's "an old buzzard," she gives him up for a job as a waitress at the new Harvey House. Trouble brews between the Harvey Girls and the dance hall girls at the Alhambra saloon, and the fun begins. One of Judy Garland's biggest hits, The Harvey Girls sports a great cast, plenty of laughs and many lively musical numbers, including the Academy Award winning production number "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe."

"When Fred Harvey pushed his chain of restaurants farther and farther west along the lengthening tracks of the Santa Fe, he brought with him one of the first civilizing forces this land had known -- The Harvey Girls.

"These winsome waitresses conquered the west as surely as the Davy Crockets and the Kit Carsons -- not with powder, horn and rifle, but with a beefsteak and a cup of coffee."

"To these unsung pioneers, whose successors today still carry on in the same tradition, we sincerely dedicate this motion picture."

I can remember eating at the Harvey House in Albuquerque as a child, and it was one of the finer restaurants in town. Sometime in the 1960s, the restaurant was moved from a location near the train station to a location at the airport, signalling the beginning of the transition of mass travel from rail to air. [JJ]

Produced by: Arthur Freed
Associate Producer: Roger Edens
Directed by: George Sidney
Screen Play by: Edmund Beloin, Nathaniel Curtis, Harry Crane, James O'Hanlon and Samson Raphaelson
Additional Dialogue by: Kay Van Riper
Based on the Book by Samuel Hopkins Adams and the Original Story by Eleanore Griffin and William Rankin
Words and Music by: Johnny Mercer and Harry Warren
Musical Direction: Lennie Hayton
Orchestration: Conrad Salinger
Vocal Arrangements: Kay Thompson
Musical Numbers Staged by: Robert Alton
Art Direction: Cedric Gibbons, William Ferrari
   Set Decoration: Edwin B. Willis
      Associate: Mildred Griffiths
Costume Supervision: Irene
Costumes Designed by: Helen Rose
Men's Costumes: Valles
Make-Up Created by: Jack Dawn
Recording Director: Douglas Shearer
Director of Photography: George Folsey
Special Effects: Warren Newcombe
Photographed in Technicolor
Technicolor Color Director: Natalie Kalmus
Associate: Henri Jaffa
Film Editor: Albert Akst

"The help of the Fred Harvey Company on many historical details is thankfully acknowledged."

Awards: Won Best Song Academy Award ("On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe"), Harry Warren (Music), Johnny Mercer (Lyrics); won Academy Award nomination for Best Score - Musical (Lennie Hayton)

Cast: Judy Garland [Susan Bradley], John Hodiak [Ned Trent], Ray Bolger [Chris Maule], Angela Lansbury [Em], Preston Foster [Judge Sam Purvis], Virginia O'Brien [Alma], Kenny Baker [Terry O'Halloran], Marjorie Main [Sonora Cassidy], Chill Wills [H. H. Hartsey], Selena Royle [Miss Bliss], Cyd Charisse [Deborah], Ruth Brady [Ethel], Jack Lambert [Marty Peters], Edward Earle [Jed Adams], Morris Ankrum [Rev. Claggett], Ben Carter [John Henry], William "Bill" Phillips [Cowboy], Norman Leavitt [2nd Cowboy], Horace McNally ["Goldust" McClean], Additional Cast: Catherine McLeod [Louise], Virginia Hunter [Jane], Ray Teal [Conductor], Jack Clifford [Fireman], Vernon Dent [Engineer], Paul "Tiny" Newlan [Station Agent], Jim Toney [Mule Skinner], Lucille Casey, Mary Jo Ellis, Dorothy Gilmore, Gloria Hope, Mary Jane French, Daphne Moore, Joan Thorson, Dorothy Tuttle [Harvey Girls], Hazel Brooks, Kay English, Hane Hall, Vera Lee, Peggy Maley, Erin O'Kelly, Dorothy Van Nuys, Eve Whitney, Dallas Worth [Dance Hall Girls], Byron Harvey, Jr, Beverly Tyler [Bits], Marion Doenges [singing voice of Cyd Charisse], Virginia Rees [singing voice of Angela Lansbury]

Musical Program: [0:00] Overture: "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe" / "Swing Your Partner Round and Roung" (played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:02] In the Valley (Where the Evening Sun Goes Down) (sung by Judy Garland); [0:11] Wait and See (sung by Virginia Rees dubbing for Angela Lansbury); [0:14] On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe (performed by Judy Garland, Cyd Charisse, Virginia O'Brien, Marjorie Main, Ray Bolger, Benny Carter, The Seckler Group, The Williams Brothers (Andy, Bob and Don), Alice Ludes, Dorothy McCarty, Lee Gotch, Jud Conlon, Ralph Blane, Loulie Jean Norman, Dorothy Jackson, Judy Matson, Mary Moder, Ruth Clark, Jimmie Garland, Dorothy Wilkerson, Vivian Edwards, Joe Karnes, Kenneth Rundquist, Claude Martin, Arnet Amos, Elva Kellog and the MGM Studio Chorus); [0:30] Training Montage (The Train Must be Fed) (performed by Edward Earle, Selena Royle, Marjorie Main, Joe Karnes, Elva Kellog, Judy Garland, Virginia O'Brien, Cyd Charisse and the MGM Studio Chorus); [0:32] Oh, You Kid (sung by Virginia Rees dubbing for Angela Lansbury); [0:40] Wait and See (sung by Kenny Baker); [0:41] It's a Great Big World (performed by Judy Garland, Virginia O'Brien and Marion Doenges dubbing for Cyd Charisse); [0:56] The Wild, Wild West (sung by Virginia O'Brien); [1:06] Wait and See (sung by Kenny Baker and Marion Doenges dubbing for Cyd Charise); [1:15] On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe (instrumental arrangement danced by Ray Boger); [1:18] Swing Your Partner Round and Round (sung and danced by Judy Garland, Marjorie Main and the MGM Studio Chorus); [Outtake] Hayride (sung by Judy Garland, Ray Bolger and the MGM Studio Chorus); [Outtake] My Intuition (sung by Judy Garland and John Hodiak)

For more details see the The Harvey Girls page on JGDB:


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Hawaii Calls
Principal Productions / RKO, 1938, B/W, 65 / 72 minutes. **½
Released March, 1938

Billy Coulter (Bobby Breen) and best friend Pua (Pua Lani) stow away on a life boat onboard an ocean liner bound from San Francisco to Hawaii. Pua is Hawaiian and wants to return home. Billy is San Franciscan, but his parents were both killed in an airplane crash, so he plans on living in Hawaii with Pua. Strings (Ned Sparks) discovers the boys and takes them under his wing, though the ship's captain intends on turning Pua over to the Hawaiian officials and taking Billy back to San Franciso on their return voyage. As the ship sails into Honolulu (an interesting sight in 1938!) Billy and Pua dive overboard and make their escape. In order to evade capture, the boys go to Maui to live with Pua's Aunt. While there, they become entangled in a burglary of some government plans.

It's a fun film, though the story sort of lumbers along between musical numbers. The music is very nice, though, and definitely worth the price of admission!

Producer: Sol Lesser
Directed by: Edward F. Cline
Assistant Director: John Sherwood
Screen Play: Wanda Tuchock
   (Adapted from the novel Stowaways in Paradise by Don Blanding)
Title "Hawaii Calls" inspired by Radio Station K-G-M-B Honolulu
Music: "Hawaii Calls," "Down Where the Trade Winds Blow" by Harry Owens; "That's the Hawaiian in Me" by Johnny Noble and Margarita Lake; "Espeana" by Chabrier; "Song of the Islands" by Charles King; "Macushla" by Josephinie V. Rowe and Dermot MacMurrough
Hawaiian Backgrounds: Paul Marques
Musical Score: Hugo Riesenfeld
Musical Supervision: Abe Meyer
Vocal Supervision: Max Terr
Art Direction: Lewis J. Rachmil
Wardrobe Supervision: Waldron Johnson
Original Song Score: Johnny Noble and Harry Owens
Dance Director: Larry Ceballos
Photography: Jack McKenzie
Sound Engineer: Hugh McDowell, Jr.
Film Editor: Arthur Hilton

Cast: Bobby Breen [Billy Coulter], Ned Sparks [Strings], Irvin S. Cobb [Captain O'Hare], Gloria Holden [Mrs. Milburn], Warren Hull [Commander Milburn], Mamo Clark [Hina], Raymond Paige [Himself], Aggie Auld [Hula Dancer], Cy Kendall [Hawaiian Policeman], Herbert Rawlinson [Mr. Harlow], William Harrigan [Blake], Juanita Quigley [Doris Milburn], Pua Lani [Pua], Dora Clement [Mrs. Harlow], Donald Kirke [Regon], Philip Ahn [Julius], Ward Bond [Muller], William Abbey [Lonzo], Birdie De Bolt [Aunty Pinau], Additional Cast: (from various sources) Laurence Duran [Banana], Ruben Maldonado [Solly], Ruben Duran [Ka-ne], Jerry Mandy [Taxi Driver], Uilani Silva [Hula Dancer]

Musical Program: [0:09] Down Where the Trade Winds Blow (sung by Bobby Breen); [0:12] Macushla (excerpt sung by Bobby Breen); [0:13] España (misspelled as "Espeana" on film titles) (excerpt played by Raymond Paige and His Orchestra); [0:17] Macushla (sung by Bobby Breen with Raymond Paige and His Orchestra); [0:19] unidentified instrumental number played by Raymond Paige and His Orchestra; [0:22] Hawaii Calls (sung by Chorus); [0:32] Hawaii Calls (sung by Bobby Breen with Chorus); [0:40] That's the Hawaiian in Me (sung by Bobby Breen); [0:43] unidentified Hawaiian number (sung by Chorus, danced by Hula dancing Chorus Girls); [0:50] Song of the Islands (Na Lei O Hawaii) (sung by Bobby Breen); [1:00] Aloha Oe (sung by Bobby Breen and Chorus)

Head
Raybert / Columbia, 1968, Color, 86 minutes
Released November, 1968

The Monkees' only feature film is a riotous hodgepodge of spaced-out comedy vignettes mixed with a collage of old film clips and cameos of Frank Zappa, Victor Mature, Teri Garr, Annette Funicello, Carol Doda and others. This classic culmination of Monkeemania was co-authored by Jack Nicholson and director Bob Rafelson.

Producers: Jack Nicholson and Bob Rafelson
Executive Producer: Bert Schneider
Director: Bob Rafelson
Screenplay: Jack Nicholson and Bob Rafelson
Musical Score: Ken Thorne
Song Score: various
Choreography: Toni Basil
Art Direction: Sydney Z. Litwack
Set Decoration: Ned Parsons
Costume Design: Gene Ashman
Special Effects: Bruce Lane, Chuck Gaspar and Burton Gershfield
Cinematography: Michel Hugo
Film Editing: Mike Pozen

Cast: Peter Tork, Davy Jones, Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith [The Monkees], Annette Funicello [Minnie], Timothy Carey [Lord High 'n' Low], Logan Ramsey [Officer Faye Lapid], Abraham Sofaer [Swami], Vito Scotti [I. Vitteloni], Charles Macaulay [Inspector Shrink], T. C. Jones [Mr. and Mrs. Ace], Charles Irving [Mayor Feedback], William Bagdad [Black Sheik], Percy Helton [Heraldic Messenger], Sonny Liston [Extra], Ray Nitschke [Private One], Carol Doda [Sally Silicone], Frank Zappa [The Critic], June Fairchild [The Jumper], Teri Garr [Testy True], I. J. Jefferson [Lady Pleasure], Victor Mature [Big Victor]

Musical Program: Porpoise Song (Theme From Head); Ditty Diego (War Chant); Circle Sky; Supplicio; Can You Dig It; Gravy; Superstitous; As We Go Along; Dandruff?; Daddy's Song; Poll; Do I Have To Do This All Over Again

Heartbeat
RKO, 1946, B/W, 102 minutes, ***
Released May, 1946

Ginger Rogers enrolls in a school of the fine art of pick-pocketing and attends a society ball for her first field practice. This isn't a musical at all, but Ginger Rogers does sing one song. I enjoy Ginger's work, and this film is entertaining, even though it's not one of her best (though her acting is top-notch as always).

Produced by: Robert and Raymond Hakim
Production Manager: Joe C. Gilpin
Directed by: Sam Wood
Assistant Director: John Sherwood
Adaptation by: Morrie Ryskind
Based on an Original Screen Play by: Hans Wilhelm, Max Kolpe, Michel Duran (French screenplay "Battlement de Coeur")
Additional Dialogue: Rowland Leigh
Music by: Paul Misraki
Musical Director: C. Bakaleinikoff
Production Design: Lionel Banks
Set Decorator: George Sawley
Gowns for Miss Rogers: Howard Greer
Recorded by: John Tribby
Director of Photography: Joseph Valentine
Film Editors: Roland Gross, J. R. Whittredge

Cast: Ginger Rogers [Arlette Lafon], Jean-Pierre Aumont [Pierre La Roche], Basil Rathbone [Professor Aristide], Adolphe Menjou [Ambassador], Melville Cooper [Roland Latour], Mikhail Rasumny [Yves Cadubert], Mona Maris [Ambassador's Wife], Henry Stephenson [Minister], Eduardo Ciannelli [Baron Dvorak], Major Sam Harris [Ball Guest], Eddie Hayden [Thief], George Davis [Butler]

Musical Program: [1:09] Can You Guess (sung by Ginger Rogers)

The Heat's On
Columbia, 1943, B/W, 79 minutes, ***
Released December, 1943

Fay Lawrence (Mae West) is a big Broadway star on contract to producer Tony Ferris (William Gaxton). It doesn't take long for Fay to discover that Ferris is a weasel and she wants out. When the Bainbridge decency organization files a complaint against Ferris' show, the cops shut it down. That gives Mae the perfect excuse to jump ship and join a new show being put together by a rival producer. Ferris is not a happy camper!

Ferris befriends Hubert Bainbridge (Victor Moore), brother of Hannah Bainbridge (Almira Sessions) of the Bainbridge decency organization. Ferris puts the squeeze on Hubert to threaten his rival producer due to Mae being on their blacklist. Then he buys the show from the desperate producer for a pittance and takes over. And Ferris even convinces Moore to fund the show! Mae finds herself, once again, under Ferris' thumb.

When Hannah returns from her convention and discovers that her brother is underwriting a Broadway show, she goes ballistic and puts a stop-pay on all checks that have been issued to Ferris. What is a producer to do? He must find a way to cover all his outstanding checks and finish the production!

Fun film with a great cast. Lina Romay and Xavier Cugat add to the music.

Produced by: Gregory Ratoff
Associate Producer: Milton Carter
Directed by: Gregory Ratoff
Assistant Director: Robert Saunders
Original Screen Play by: Fitzroy Davis, George S. George and Fred Schiller
From a Story by Boris Ingster and Fred Schiller
Songs: "There Goes That Guitar," "Hello, Mi Amigo," "The White Keys and the Black Keys," "I'm Just a Stranger in Town," "They Looked So Pretty on the Envelope" by Jay Gorney, Edward Eliscu, Henry Myers; "Thinkin' About the Wabash" by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn
Original Music: John Leipold
Musical Director: Yasha Bunchuk
Choreograpy by: David Lichine
Production Designer: Nicolai Remisoff
Art Direction: Lionel Banks
Associate: Walter Holscher
Set Decorations: Joseph Kish
Costumes by: Walter Plunkett
Sound Recodring: Lodge Cunningham
Director of Photography: Franz F. Planer
Edited by: Otto Meyer

Cast: Mae West [Fay Lawrence], Victor Moore [Hubert Bainbridge], William Gaxton [Tony Ferris], Lester Allen [Mouse Beller], Alan Dinehart [Forrest Stanton], Mary Roche [Janey Adair], Lloyd Bridges [Andy Walker], Almira Sessions [Hannah Bainbridge], Sam Ash [Frank], David Lichine [Specialty Dancer], Leonard Sues [Trumpet Player], Jack Owens [Himself], Joan Thorsen [Singer], Hazel Scott [Herself], Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra [Themselves], Additional Cast: Lina Romay [Herself, singer with Xavier Cugat's Orchestra], Boyd Irwin [Dr. H. Snyder], Harry Harvey [Harry], Leon Belasco [Agent], Edward Earle [Writer], Eddie Hall [Member of Quartet], Harry Shannon [Police Captain], John Sheehan [Police Officer], Colin Kenny, Harold Miller [Nightclub Patrons], Leo Mostovoy [Headwaiter], Donald Kerr [Stage Manager], Ray Teal, Harry Tyler [Stagehands]

Musical Program: [0:02] I'm Just a Stranger in Town (sung by Mae West with a large silent chorus); [0:17] Negra Leono (sung by Lina Romay with Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra); [0:21] There Goes That Guitar (sung by Joan Thorsen and danced by David Lichine and Chorus Girls with Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra); [0:32] Antonio (sung by Lina Romay with Xavier Cugat and His Orchestra); [0:43] The White Keys and the Black Keys (sung by Hazel Scott at the piano, accompanied by Orchestra); [0:48] Thinkin' About the Wabash (sung by Mary Roche, Jack Owen and Male Quartet); [1:01] Caisson Song (sung by Hazel Scott at the piano, marched and danced by Chorus, accompanied by Orchestra); [1:04] They Looked So Pretty on the Envelope (sung by Victor Moore); [1:17] Hello, Mi Amigo (sung by Mae West and Chorus)

Heidi
20th Century-Fox, 1937, B/W, 87 minutes, ***½
Released October, 1937

Orphaned Heidi (Shirley Temple) is taken by her mean and nasty aunt to live with her grandfather high in the Swiss Alps. The Grandfather (as she calls him) has been feuding with the nearby villagers for many years, so Heidi must clear that up! But not before she's kidnapped by her aunt and taken to the city to be a live-in companion for Klara Sesemann (Marcia Mae Jones). Klara quickly becomes attached to Heidi and doesn't want her to leave, but Heidi's only though is getting back to The Grandfather.

A true classic! One of Shirley's best films has endured the test of time and remains popular today. We baby boomers grew up with this film on TV every year, just like The Wizard of Oz. Features a little musical song and dance number by Shirley Temple and a handful of children called "In Our Little Wooden Shoes."

In Charge of Production: Darryl F. Zanuck
Associate Producer: Raymond Griffith
Directed by: Allan Dwan
Screen Play by: Walter Ferris and Julien Josephson
Based on the Novel "Heidi" by Johanna Spyri
Musical Direction: Louis Silvers
Song Score: Lew Pollack and Sidney D. Mitchell
Art Direction: Hans Peters
Set Decorations by: Thomas Little
Costumes: Gwen Wakeling
Sound: George Leverett, Roger Heman
Photography: Arthur Miller
Film Editor: Allen McNeil

Cast: Shirley Temple [Heidi],