Monday, April 26, 2010

The Farmer Takes a Wife (1953)


The Farmer Takes a Wife is a 1953 musical comedy film starring Betty Grable and Thelma Ritter. It is a remake of the 1935 film of the same name which starred Janet Gaynor and Henry Fonda.


If you love Betty Grable you will love this film, set in the early 19th century. Dale Robertson, as Daniel, is the farmer who finds work on a boat, to make money so he can settle down on a farm. Unfortunately, things don't go as he first planned there is heartbreak before a happily ever after.

Thelma Ritter is also a favorite of mine and in this film she plays the rich widow, Lucy Cashdollar, who is looking for husband No. 6. She's beautifully dressed in all her scenes.

There's the usual barroom fights, songs and romance. It's just charming little movie.


Soundtracks:

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"Opening"
(1953) (uncredited)
Written by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Sung by chorus

"Today I Love Everybody"
(1953) (uncredited)
Written by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Sung by Betty Grable and chorus

"On the Erie Canal"
(1953) (uncredited)
Written by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Sung by John Carroll, Betty Grable, Dale Robertson and chorus

"We're Doing It for the Natives of Jamaica"
(1953) (uncredited)
Written by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Sung by Thelma Ritter and chorus; John Carroll and drinking buddies

"Can You Spell Schenectady"
(1953) (uncredited)
Written by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Sung and Danced by Eddie Foy Jr.

"Somethin' Real Special"
(1953) (uncredited)
Written by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Sung by Betty Grable and Dale Robertson

"With the Sun Warm Upon Me"
(1953) (uncredited)
(Published as "With the Sun Warm Upon My Face")
Written by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Sung by Dale Robertson and Betty Grable

"We're in Business"
(1953) (uncredited)
Written by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Sung by Betty Grable, Dale Robertson, Gwen Verdon and chorus
Danced by Betty Grable and Gwen Verdon

"I Could Cook"
(1953) (uncredited)
Written by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by Charles Henderson
Sung briefly by Betty Grable, Dale Robertson, Thelma Ritter and Eddie Foy Jr.

"When I Close the Door"
(1953) (uncredited)
Written by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields

2 comments:

monty said...

Betty Grable looking gorgeous as always and Thelma Ritter too. Another one I can't wait to see.

Dawn said...

I hope TCM has a Betty Grable star of the month tribute, in the not to distant future.. Ohmygosh!!! Can you imagine how great that would be?!