1943 was a bang up year for Betty Grable musical comedies, following the popular '42 "Springtime in the Rockies". First, there was the popular "Coney Island". Then, the present offering which, at only 75 min., appears to have been meant as a B picture, with A stars. Although not as popular as "Coney Island", it certainly is an entertaining film, both the music and dialogue. Robert Young is Betty's male counterpart, as they carryout a version of the battle of the sexes, with Young as a reporter for the scandal sheet The Police Gazette. He exposes Betty's origins as a burlesque queen, to her embarrassment, as she is currently the darling of the legitimate theater. Thus, Madge Marlow of the legitimate theater is the same person as Rosie O'Grady, previously of Flugleman's burlesque house. The screenplay is essentially taken from "Love is News", only the female lead is characterized as a rich showgirl rather than a rich heiress. It would be done yet again in 1948's "That Wonderful Urge"
The first 2 songs: "Where, oh, Where is the Groom", and "Waiting at the Church", were sung by Betty as part of the London musical comedy "Belle of Bond Street." Duke Charles Trippingham(Reginald Gardiner) whom Betty has been flirting with, is in the audience. She asks him if he will marry her, as she would like to be a duchess. He says yes , but only when he arrives in the US, about a month later. Meanwhile, Betty is going to the US to do a tour. While in transit, she comes upon a copy of The Police Gazette, with Young's article about her past. When, she arrives, Young ,using a pseudonym, greets her, warning her about the overeager reporters. She soon discovers his real identity, and tells reporters that she has dumped the Duke for him, embarrassing him. This initiates a continuing war between them for the rest of the picture. Eventually, it's evident that they have really fallen for each other, although she sometimes still teases him. The Duke shows up unexpectedly early, and is sent on his way. Eventually, the Duke is paired with Betty's maid(Virginia Grey)(This seems a strange turn of events. Apparently, Betty found Young more interesting than the stuffy Duke, and decided to forgo the royalty title).
The musical numbers are rather evenly divided between traditional songs and new songs composed by the prolific team of Harry Warren and Mack Gordon. There are two songs we might consider theme songs: the traditional title song, which Young is said to have composed,(This being 1880). Then, there is the Warren/Gordon song "My Heart Tells Me". Both are sung on at least 2 occasions.
The finale show is "Sweet Rosie O'Grady", in which Betty sings and dances to the title song. The other main song of the show is "Going to the County Fair", also good. Previously, while riding in a coach and slightly inebriated, Betty and Young sing "Two Little Girls in Blue" and "Little Anne Rooney".
A must see for Betty and Young fans. See it in glorious Technicolor at YouTube. I give it a 9, one point taken off for Betty's excessive lipstick and over the top(literally) sophisticated hairdo, which I find distracting.
In 1950, Fox released "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady", which can be thought of as sort of a sequel to this film. June Haver, rather than Betty, took the title role.
The first 2 songs: "Where, oh, Where is the Groom", and "Waiting at the Church", were sung by Betty as part of the London musical comedy "Belle of Bond Street." Duke Charles Trippingham(Reginald Gardiner) whom Betty has been flirting with, is in the audience. She asks him if he will marry her, as she would like to be a duchess. He says yes , but only when he arrives in the US, about a month later. Meanwhile, Betty is going to the US to do a tour. While in transit, she comes upon a copy of The Police Gazette, with Young's article about her past. When, she arrives, Young ,using a pseudonym, greets her, warning her about the overeager reporters. She soon discovers his real identity, and tells reporters that she has dumped the Duke for him, embarrassing him. This initiates a continuing war between them for the rest of the picture. Eventually, it's evident that they have really fallen for each other, although she sometimes still teases him. The Duke shows up unexpectedly early, and is sent on his way. Eventually, the Duke is paired with Betty's maid(Virginia Grey)(This seems a strange turn of events. Apparently, Betty found Young more interesting than the stuffy Duke, and decided to forgo the royalty title).
The musical numbers are rather evenly divided between traditional songs and new songs composed by the prolific team of Harry Warren and Mack Gordon. There are two songs we might consider theme songs: the traditional title song, which Young is said to have composed,(This being 1880). Then, there is the Warren/Gordon song "My Heart Tells Me". Both are sung on at least 2 occasions.
The finale show is "Sweet Rosie O'Grady", in which Betty sings and dances to the title song. The other main song of the show is "Going to the County Fair", also good. Previously, while riding in a coach and slightly inebriated, Betty and Young sing "Two Little Girls in Blue" and "Little Anne Rooney".
A must see for Betty and Young fans. See it in glorious Technicolor at YouTube. I give it a 9, one point taken off for Betty's excessive lipstick and over the top(literally) sophisticated hairdo, which I find distracting.
In 1950, Fox released "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady", which can be thought of as sort of a sequel to this film. June Haver, rather than Betty, took the title role.