Wednesday, November 25, 2009

MOON OVER MIAMI (1941) Oh me, oh Mi- Ami.







Moon Over Miami(1941). Musical. Director: Walter Lang. Cast: Betty Grable, Don Ameche, Robert Cummings, Carole Landis, Jack Haley, and Charlotte Greenwood. It was one of Haley's last appearances in a major, large-budgeted film; after 1943 he began making mostly B-pictures. Haley, is best known for his performance as the, Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz.

Kay and Barbara Latimer, both holding down jobs, singing at the Texas drive-in restaurant as car hops, with their aunt Susan, who is flipping burgers. Waiting for the mailman to bring their inheritance check of $55,000. Only to read the disappointing news they will only receive only $4,000. They talk Susan, into spending the money on a trip to Miami, to find rich husbands. Barbara, comes up with a plan to pretend to be Kay's secretary, and Susan her maid. They fly off to the Flamingo Hotel and make quick friends with Jack, a bartender who tells them he will protect them from the Gold Diggers.


Kay tricks Jeff into an invitation, to his party. Where she also meet meets Phil, heir to the McNeil Mines. Close friends Jeff and Phil, begin a playful competition for Kay affections. Kay finds herself not able to choose whom she would like to marry. Her sister Barbara has secretly fallen in love with Jeff.

The women find themselves in financial trouble, after a couple weeks of living it up at the fancy hotel. They need $150 to pay their hotel bill. Kay, has plans to go dancing with her two friends later that evening. Kay invites Barbara, to come along so she can dance with Jeff, while she talks with Phil.

Phil admits to her that he is broke. Kay, also admits, that she came to Miami, to find a rich husband. They decide that they are not right for each other. Phil searches out Jeff to tell him that Kay loves him, after which they becomes engaged . As the women are packing to leave for Jeff's families island, Jack overhears them talking about their Gold Digging plans, and threatens to tell Jeff. Jack finds himself locked in the bathroom, while the women quickly leave for the island.

Phil, decides he can not live without Kay, and comes up with a plan to stop the wedding. The woman are surprised to see Jack, who came to inform Jeff that Kay, is not really love him. Will Phil get there in time to stop the wedding, or ...Will Jack ruin the girls plans?

I really enjoyed watching Betty Grable sing and dance in this fun/colorful movie. I also really enjoyed the location scenes of Cypress Gardens and Silver Springs. This movie is the way they used to make movies. I'm so glad that I have, Moon over Miami, in my DVD collection.

Cast: Don Ameche, Betty Grable, Robert Cummings, and Carole Landis.
Soundtracks
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"Moon Over Miami"
(1935) (uncredited)
Music by Joseph Burke
Played during the opening credits
Played also as dance music at both parties


"What Can I Do For You?"
(1941)
Music by Ralph Rainger
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Sung by Betty Grable and Carole Landis as singing waitresses


"Miami (Oh Me, Oh Mi-Ami)"
(1941)
Music by Ralph Rainger
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Sung by an offscreen chorus
Sung and danced to by Betty Grable, Carole Landis and Charlotte Greenwood
Played during the end credits

"You Started Something"
(1941)
Music by Ralph Rainger
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Played on piano by Robert Cummings at the party and sung by him and Betty Grable
Danced to by Betty Grable, Frank Condos and Harry Condos
at the party
Reprised by Don Ameche as he danced with Betty Grable
Reprised by Betty Grable, Don Ameche, Robert Cummings and Carole Landis at the end


"I've Got You All To Myself"
Music by Ralph Rainger
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Sung by Don Ameche

"Is That Good?"
Music by Ralph Rainger
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Sung and danced to by Jack Haley and Charlotte Greenwood
Reprised by them at the end
Played as background and dance music

"Loveliness and Love"
Music by Ralph Rainger
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Sung by Don Ameche, Betty Grable and chorus

"Kindergarten Conga"
Music by Ralph Rainger
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Contains traditional nursery songs "Ring Around the Rosey" and "London Bridge is Falling Down"
Sung by Betty Grable
Danced to by Hermes Pan, Betty Grable and chorus

"Solitary Seminole"
Music by Ralph Rainger
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Sung and danced to by Jack Cole and Co., Frank Condos and Harry Condos

4 comments:

monty said...

Good movie Dawn to post. I haven't seen a Betty movie in awhile so most of knowledge of her might be a little fuzzy. But I have enjoyed all the movies I have seen of her including this one, Springtime in the rockies, Down Argentine Way, Pin Up Girl, How to marry a millionaire, etc. But I will be posting as much as I can about her.

Dawn said...

Monty, You may have already noticed, that i have posted two of Betty Grables's movies in the side bar.. i have not watched THAT LADY IN ERMINE, yet.. i hope to next week.

Rupert said...

Grable is tops, as is this film. I went through a Betty phase several years back and ended up watching every one of her films from 1940 through 1947. Nice pictures.

Dawn said...

Thank you Rupert. Sorry I do not know how this reply got past me. I have not seen all of Betty Grables films. They are very hard to find.