User Reviews

My title is a quote from 'Cuddles' Sakal, who is showing his Irish coworker Dennis O'Grady(James Barton) his prized Hungarian sausages(wurst). For once, this inimitable old fuss body Hungarian refugee plays a Hungarian, and appears periodically throughout the film as a background character, mostly fruitlessly attempting to inject a bit of humor. Dennis is the father of 3 marriageable, or nearly so, girls, played by June Haver, Marcia Jones and 17 y.0. Debbie Reynolds. The latter is barely recognizable, as June's tag along younger sister, in her first Hollywood speaking role, giving no hint of her potential, realized a few years later in "Singing in the Rain" : still very much a work in progress even then.

Papa O'Grady, along with Sakal's character, are driver/conductors for horse-drawn trolleys in NYC. He used to be a vaudeville performer, until his wife partner, Rosie O'Grady, died. He claims she died from overwork as an entertainer and hence forbids his daughters to think about becoming a musical entertainer. Problem is Patricia(June) obviously has such an ambition and has to sneak her forays into the theater distinct. Meanwhile, eldest daughter Katie is secretly married to a returning soldier from the Spanish -American War, whom she soon tells she is pregnant. Pat happens to encounter Tony Pastor(Gordon MacRae), owner of a vaudeville theater, who invites her to become a singer/dancer, while strongly hinting a romantic interest in her. Problem is he has to improvise a story about who he is and what he does to pass the severe criteria of Papa O'Grady, in a comedic scene. After tentatively approving him, papa suggests a possible union with eldest daughter Katie, rather than Pat, unaware that she is married and pregnant! After he finds out the truth about Katie and Pat, he disowns them. But , he finds he is miserable without his daughter's company and cooking. Tony and Pat have a falling out over Pat's concern about her father vs. her commitment to Tony's show. Tony also insults her dancing partner, played by Gene Nelson, who consequently announces his intention to soon quit the show. Everyone is mad at each other at this point. But, as this is Christmas season, they gradually make amends , and even papa is invited to take part in the long winter-themed finale.

This was the second and last pairing of June and Gordon, as well as June and dancer(primarily) Gene Nelson. Gordon and Gene were contract players for Warners, whereas June was on loan from Fox. June is her usual smiling effervescent self, when given the opportunity, and Gordon's singing was quite impressive for the limited material provided. June's acting was also good, while Gordon's tended to be a bit wooden. He had a more extensive presence than in his first pairing with June, which was also his first Hollywood musical.... Gene got his new Hollywood start as June's dance partner in "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now". In the present film, he got much more dance time, he and June making a great -looking dance team, as well as performing several of their own dances. He and Gordon would be rushed into a series of musicals, mostly with Warners' up and coming musical star Doris Day. The first; "Tea for Two", also costarring Sakal, was released later that year, and is generally regarded as more entertaining than the two films in which Gordon and June costarred. For one thing, several well recognized standards were included, instead of the less memorable songs provided in this film. Also, Gene's mostly solo dances were more innovative and exciting to watch.

Except for her last Fox musical with Dan Dailey, June was typically cast with one or two other female musical talents, with or without musically -talented male stars, as was the pattern for most Fox musicals of the late '30s through early '50s. This is in contrast to her two Warners' films, where she was the sole female musical star, cast with distinct singing and dancing male stars.

The comedic highlight of this film is provided by an unheralded man & woman comedic acrobatic routine: very Charlie Chaplin-like. Otherwise, the humor mostly relates to Papa O'Grady's unraveling relationships with his daughters. James Barton(papa) was an old time vaudevillian, as he plays here. He also played a similar character in the Betty Grable film "Wabash Avenue", also released in '50. He probably gets as much (too much!) screen time as June in this film, certainly more than leading men Gordon and Gene. We could have done without his drunk period, over his daughter's disobedient romantic shenanigans. Jane Darwell("Grapes of Wrath") fruitlessly tries to provide a bit of humor as neighbor Mrs. Murphy, heckling papa.

Gordon's character's name: Tony Pastor, is the namesake of the generally recognized founder of the vaudeville show format. However, the real Tony was in his 60s at the turn of the century. We might imagine this Tony to be his son.

Should not be confused with the prior Fox musical "Sweet Rosie O'Grady", starring Betty Grable. Is currently available as an on-demand printed DVD.

The good news is that the story line here, though predictable, is rather entertaining. Three Irish daughters are looking for romance (actually one is secretly married, another has fallen in love with vaudevillian Tony Pastor -- a real historical character, and the third is a little too young but dreaming of her future). However, their father hates show business, claiming that its stress and challenges took his wife's life when they were both vaudevillians.

The bad news here is that memorable songs are few and far between...in fact, only the title song is dandy. The rest are forgettable.

June Haver is the nominal star here as the daughter in love with Tony Pastor. She was a passable dancer, not quite so good on the singing.

Marcia Mae Jones is the daughter who is already married, and again, does nicely here.

Gordon MacRae is good as Tony Pastor. Too bad he didn't have very good songs to sing.

Before watching the film, look up James Barton (the father) on Google. His is an interesting little biography.

Gene Nelson is excellent as a dancer friend of Tony Pastor. I was never sure why he wasn't more of a star. Handsome and excellent dancer.

S. Z. Sakall is here as a family friend, but unfortunately doesn't have much to do. Irene Seidner, a little known character actress, was good as the wife.

Debbie Reynolds as the youngest daughter didn't have much to do here, although her role was tailored for her; she was 17-years-old at the time; it was her first speaking role in a film. BTW, according to Google, she had to have her ears glued back for the film!

Jane Darwell has a small role as a neighbor...and it was nice to see her.

It's a decent film. Not great. Not bad. Old-fashioned.

Aging Irishman Dennis O'Grady (James Barton) has become an embittered, aging father, forbidding his three daughters from going anywhere a theater, let alone going into show business or God forbid, dating or marrying someone in show biz. But when oldest daughter Patricia (June Haver) unwittingly gives away her papa's lunch to a vaudevillian, that forbodence is broken. That man is Tony Pastor (Gordon MacRae), a song and dance man who happens to have his own theater. Papa O'Grady is furious by all of this and disowns his daughter who ends up on the stage just like her famous vaudeville mother, Rosie, who apparently died years before, leaving the former song and dance man Dennis embittered by the memory.

Barton's cuddly pal S.Z. Sakall is married to the frosty Irene Seidner, and they happen to be theater goers who uncover Patricia's presence in an amateur contest which leads her to professional success. MacRae's future "Oklahoma!" co-star Gene Nelson is his best friend here who dances while MacRae sings, particularly a big production number (although small by MGM and 20th Century Fox musical standards) called "On a Farm off Old Broadway". Of course, the three sisters get together to convince papa to change his old fashioned ways, which leads to a big Christmas finale to the tune of "Winter" where "Cuddles" Sakall makes an appearance on stage in a snow man's costume, enough of his "n'yuck n'yuck" to fill all of his movies. Poor Oscar Winner Jane Darwell is wasted as the nosy neighbor.

All in all, this is a minor entry in movie musical standards, but entertaining for what it is. A young Debbie Reynolds shows some of her comic moxie in a small role as the youngest sister, but unfortunately, doesn't get to sing or dance. She is cute and perky, but fans of her will be disappointed by the lack of a musical number for her. Haver is likable, but for some reason, was always considered second best to Betty Grable during her 20th Century Fox years, and now second best to Warner Brothers' top musical star, Doris Day. Barton gives the best performance, truly touching when paying tribute to his late wife with "My Own True Love and I".

Growing up I was huge fan of the TV show My Three Sons which aired on various networks in the 1960 & early 70's. Fred MacMurray was the stoic rock of Gibraltar Widower of three boys with the help of his house servant Uncles. I caught a Lucy Desi Comedy hour featuring the MacMurray's Fred and his lovely blonde wife June. June Haver MacMurray was a Movie Actress in her day as a triple threat, Singing, Dancing and Acting. I caught this movie totally by accident on TCM and it's a typical 1950's period piece musical from Warner Brothers. Our movie takes place in turn of the century Manhattan. Vaudeville was the main and affordable means of entertainment for the masses at that time. To further explain what Vaudeville was; a variety of entertainment filled with unrelated vignettes with a mixture of song. dance, magic and comedy acts. Vaudeville theaters sprung up all over the country like Starbuck's franchises of today. Streetcar conductor Dennis O'Grady (James Barton)a widower with Three daughters is a traditionalist with a strict code of rules for his Lassies to abide by. Meet only Irish men with a college education and most importantly don't bring home any Show Business performers.You see Dennis O'Grady was also a showman in his day with an act featuring wife Rosie. But his dear departed Wife Rosie died from the strain of show business and that's where he puts the blame never to return or even patronize the theater. The eldest of the three lovelies Kate tells her two younger sisters that she just eloped to an Irish Policeman Sean McClory (James Moore)Meanwhile an incident involving a forgotten Lunch-pale by Father O'Grady causes the two Sisters Patricia (June Haver) and a very young Maureen (Debbie Reynolds)in tow as they pass the (forbidden zone) passing the theater. A man who's wearing a hobo's costume makes a conversation with Patricia as he asked for a crust of bread. Pat panics and gives her Father's lunch to the bum. Unbeknownst to Pat that bum was the owner of the theater and he wasn't interested in food but more importantly wanted to make her acquaintance. That owner is the leading man in this story Tony Pastor (Gordon MacRae). After mistaken identities Pat and Gordon hit it off from the start as Patricia was always fascinated by the stage. Patricia would even put on her late Mother's costumes to the disdain of her Father. The Movie is really about silly traditions and mistaken information. One character of reason throughout the story is the chubby European knockwurst carrying S.Z. Sakall known as Cuddles plays Dennis O'Grady's best friend and co- worker. You know Cuddles from the movie Casablanca as Bogie's Cafe manager. One more player of noteworthy mention is dancer Gene Nelson who plays Doug Martin who is a headliner dancer for owner Pastor.. Patricia enters amateur contest as a singer but Doug comes to the rescue and saves her act and Patricia joins Tony Pastor's theater company as a regular. Doug and Patricia practice feverishly as Tony's jealousy brews watching the two bond as an act. Meanwhile Father O'Grady learns that his daughter is pregnant as the Doctor leaves his flat assuming it's Patricia with the showman Pastor responsible. To add to the confusion older married sister Kate is Pregnant with twins on the way but Father doesn't know she's married to Officer McClory. What does a Father do? Go to the tavern and get stewed and then disown the lot of them. As bad as it sounds it makes for a light hearten musical/story. Great movie to watch at Christmas or St. Patrick's Day.

Another musical teaming up Cuddles Sakal with Gene Nelson and Gordon MacRae. However, Tea for Two, was far better. Why? Sakal was given much funnier lines in the latter film and of course it had Doris Day, Eve Arden and Billy De Wolfe giving fine support.

In this 1950 film, MacRae and Nelson are reduced to actual supporting roles. The major role has got to be the Irish father, whose strict code of ethical behavior becomes the forefront of this rather childish film.

The movie, taking place after the Spanish-American War ended, is rather silly at times. Daddy doesn't know for a year that his daughter has married the typical Irish policeman and is about to have twins, or is it triplets?

The singing and dancing are rather benign here. There is really no catchy tune here. June Haver gives her all but the script really does everyone in.

As was the case with 'Tea,' you don't know who the girl will wind up with until the very end. Apparently, we needed a tea for the Rosie O'Grady clan.

Puttin' on a show has been one of the major success plots for Hollywood musicals starting with the iconic 1933 42ND STREET. In this version James Barton plays a New York City turn of the twentieth century horse drawn trolley driver who prefers his three daughters played by Debbie Reynolds, June Haver and a relatively unknown performer as the eldest sister to avoid bringing up past memories of their late mom's vaudeville act with their dad, James Barton. Fantastic performances by Gordon Macrae, Cuddles, Gene Nelson and James Barton add to the star studded cast which shines as a major positive of the film. The songs from old vaudeville days charm those who recall or wish to delve into the now forgotten genre but is the reason I give this film merely a nine in case some potential viewers have no interest in this type of music. Its memories of Old New York provide some of the most glorious aspects of the film which warms the heart after some typical romantic comedy setbacks.