Happy Birthday to the wonderfully and extremely talented Betty, who dominated the 1940's with her lush eye popping technicolor musicals. Films such as Moon Over Miami, Down Argentine Way, Pin-Up Girl, Springtime in the Rockies and The Dolly Sisters. But one of my favorite Betty films is the thriller I Wake Up Screaming. Happy Birthday Betty!
Just a reminder that Betty will be the classic movie goddess on All Good Things in April. It's where I post reviews, facts, photos and anything else I can think of to honor the actress of the month. Stop by anytime to see Betty in all her glory. http://poohtiger-allgoodthings.blogspot.com/
In honor of Betty's birthday me and Dawn decided to do posts on the first Betty movie we ever saw. I'm not 100% sure but I believe it was Springtime in the Rockies (1942) for me. It was one of those bright and colorful musicals that the studios were putting out on a regular basis during this time period. Co-starring John Payne, Carmen Miranda, Cesar Romero, Edward Everett Horton and Charlotte Greenwood. I haven't seen Springtime in a while but I do remember it being very good. Of course Betty was drop dead gorgeous and sung and dance with the best of them. This had to be during the mid 80's when I first saw it. This was before TCM was around, so the only place to watch classic movies was AMC. And AMC showed a bunch of Betty Grable movies such as How To Marry A Millionaire, Coney Island, Moon Over Miami, The Shocking Miss Pilgrim, Down Argentine Way, Pin-Up Girl and lots more. But Springtime was the first that I can recall seeing Miss Grable in and it pretty much made me a fan of hers. I really do need to add more Betty movies to my collection and I think I will start ASAP. Thanks to Dawn and this wonderful blog for renewing my interest in the woman with the million dollar legs. Happy Birthday Betty!
Here is my list of favorite photos of the lovely Betty. We shared a few of the same pics on our lists, so there is nothing wrong with our tastes. Here we go, in no particular order. Well I take that back, the first photo is my favorite just ahead of her most popular pose as Pin-Up Girl.
This has to be one of the best photos of Betty Grable ever. You can't tell me she isn't gorgeous and to die for. Dawn, I propose we may have to rank the best Betty pics we can find and make a top 10 list. This would definitely be at the top of my list.
Song of the Islands (1942). Musical/ comedy. Cast: Betty Grable and Victor Mature. Director: Walter Lang.
The movie begins as Jeff Harper sails to the tropical paradise Ahmi-Oni with his long time friend Rusty. He is there to buy land. Jeff quickly falls in love with O'Brien's daughter Eileen, who has come home to teach school on the island where her father lives. Jeff's father decides to travel to the island and try to break them up. Will he succeed?
Betty Grable had performed in many major movie hits. After the success of Song of the Islands, Fox realized they had a gold mine on their hands and kept Grable working in glamorus musicals.
"Song of the Islands (Na Lei O Hawaii)"
(1915) (uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Charles E. King
Played during the opening credits
"Down on Ami Ami Oni Oni Isle"
(1942)
Music and Lyrics by Mack Gordon and Harry Owens
Played during the opening credits
Played and sung by the natives
Sung by Betty Grable
Danced to by Betty Grable and the natives
Reprised by the native girls
Played as background music often
"Hawaiian War Chant (Ta-Hu-Wa-Hu-Wai)"
(1936) (uncredited)
Original music and lyrics from "Kaua i ka Huahua'i (We Two in the Spray)" by Prince Leleiohaku (1860)
Modified music by Johnny Noble (1929)
Modified lyrics by Ralph Freed (1936)
Played and sung by Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiians and danced to by the natives in the opening scene on the island
"Sing Me a Song of the Islands"
(1942)
Music and Lyrics by Mack Gordon and Harry Owens
Sung by Betty Grable approaching the island, the cast at the end
Played as background music often
"Home on the Range"
(1904) (uncredited)
Music by Daniel E. Kelly (1904)
Lyrics by Brewster M. Higley (1873)
Special lyrics by Mack Gordon, Harry Owens and Sol Hoopii Jr. (1942)
Played on guitar and sung by Jack Oakie
Reprised by Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiians with special lyrics
Played as background music often
"Maluna Malolo Mawaena (Hawaiian Drinking Song)"
(1942)
Music and Lyrics by Mack Gordon and Harry Owens
Performed by Betty Grable and Hilo Hattie, Thomas Mitchell, George Barbier and Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiians
"What's Buzzin' Cousin?"
(1942)
Music and Lyrics by Mack Gordon and Harry Owens
Sung by Jack Oakie
"Cockeyed Mayor of Kaunakakai"
(1935) (uncredited)
Music by R. Alex Anderson
Lyrics by R. Alex Anderson and Albert Stillman
Sung and danced to by Hilo Hattie
"O'Brien Has Gone Hawaiian"
(1942)
Music and Lyrics by Mack Gordon and Harry Owens
Sung and danced to by Betty Grable and native girls
"The Lily of Killarney"
(1862) (uncredited)
Music by Michael William Balfe
Sung and Danced to by Betty Grable and native girls
"Cannibal Chant"
(uncredited)
Music and Lyrics by Satini Puailoa
Performed by Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiians
"Blue Shadows and White Gardenias"
(1942)
Music and Lyrics by Mack Gordon and Harry Owens
Played as background music
"Hu'I Mai"
Music and Lyrics by Sol Hoopii Jr.
Performed by Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiians
Hollywood legend Marilyn Monroe, on her way to stardom, became friends during filming, How to Marry a Millionaire, with Betty Grable, who said to her "Honey, I've have mine. Go get yours."
John Leslie "Jackie" Coogan,Jr., was an American actor who began his movie career as a child actor in silent films. Many years later, he became known as Uncle Fester on 1960s sitcom The Addams Family. He was married to Betty Grable, on November 20, 1937- divorced on October 11, 1939.
Leave it all those columnists and writers back in the day to try and create drama and tension between Betty Grable and Alice Faye. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. They remained best friends up until the time of Betty's death in 1973. Now, Alice's career was eclipsed by Betty in 1945 but there was no dislike on Alice's part. She was very supportive and understanding for her friend. Well, that's the way I take it and there is no evidence to state otherwise. It just irks me when someone tries to stir up trouble or attention to something that really is not an issue. Betty first worked with Alice on the 1940 musical Tin Pan Alley as they played the Blane sisters. And it's a shame they didn't get to work again together on another film. But these two wonderful ladies starred in some of the best and most lavish musicals comedies ever made. Check out the list of films for Alice which includes: Alexander's Ragtime Band, Week-end In Havana, The Gang's All Here, That Night in Rio, Hello Frisco Hello, In Old Chicago, and The Great American Broadcast. Betty's resume was equally as good also with: Million Dollar Legs, Down Argentine Way, Moon Over Miami, Springtime in the Rockies, Footlight Serenade, Pin-up Girl, Coney Island, Sweet Rosie O'Grady, and The Dolly Sisters. Impressive resumes for both talented and beautiful women. I've only seen a few of them, but have enjoyed them to much delight. Thanks to Dawn, I am more appreciative of the talents of Betty Grable and now Alice Faye. During the 1940's these two women alone starred in so many hits, it's unbelievable. I can think of only one other star during this period that was just as successful and that would be Judy Garland. Nice company to be in, right? Anyway, I wanted to post this story because I wanted to show the true value of friendship between these two lovely ladies. And let everyone know having a friend like this is one of the best things you can have in the world. And to my new friend Dawn, thanks for having me as your co-blogger on all these wonderful blogs. Enjoy your weekend.
I felt like I had to contribute something to this blog and let you not have to do everything by yourself. Here is a lovely pic of Betty and Alice chatting up each other. I will try and post some reviews of the films of Betty that I have seen.
Call me Mister(1951). Cast: Betty Grable, Dan Dailey, Danny Thomas, Dale Robertson, Richard Boone, Benay Venuta.
Betty Grable performs as an American USO entertainer, touring the bases in postwar Japan. She crosses the path of former husband Shep Dooley. Despite the presence of suitor Capt. Johnny Comstock , Dooley comes up with a plan to win his wife back. They are reconciled during a stage performance. Cast as a GI who hates the army, Danny Thomas does a version of his own nightclub act. Specialty numbers are performed by the Dunhill dance team.
The songs are wonderful, the best pat of the movie is the three Rome numbers (especially "Goin' Home Train," performed by a very young Bobby Short) and Sammy Fain's "Love Is Back in Business" and "I Just Can't Do Enough for You, Baby." Fortunately, stars Betty Grable and Dan Dailey are wonderful throughout, and there's some fine work from Danny Thomas and Benay Venuta.
FUN FACTS:
In this musical, director Lloyd Bacon and dance director Busby Berkeley worked together for the first time since 42nd Street (1933).
Jeffrey Hunter's first film.
Last of four movies that paired Betty Grable and Dan Dailey.
