DOWN ARGENTINE WAY (1940)

Down Argentine Way (1940) Musical. Cast: Betty Grable's first leading role, and introduced Carmen Miranda to America. Don Ameche, The Nicholas Brothers, Charlotte Greenwood and J. Carrol Naish. Director: Irving Cummings. Producer: Darryl F. Zanuck. Cinematography: Leon Shamroy and Ray Rennahan. Costumes: Travis Banton.

Wealthy Ricardo Quintano, travels from Argentina to New York to sell a few of his father's prize horses. Don Diego reminds his son not to sell any of his horses to any member of the Crawford family, because of a old family grudge. While in New york New York, Ricardo falls in love with Glenda Crawford, when he learns that she is a Crawford, he refuses to sell her a horse and returns back home to Argentina. They meet again in Argentina, and Ricardo introduces Glenda to his father as "Miss Cunningham." Glenda and Ricardo enter his father's prize jumper, in a race. When his father finds out the truth about the horse and Glenda's real name he disowns his son.

Will Don Diego change his mind about the horse and about Glenda?

What a wonderful movie. Look for some awesome song and dance numbers from Carmen Miranda. DOWN ARGENTINE WAY is kind of a fun movie, especially seeing it in this day and age.

FUN FACT: Alice Faye was going to play the role of Glenda, but she fell ill with appendicitis and was replaced by Betty Grable. Although Miss Grable was making films for the past 10 years, this was the role that made her famous. Cesar Romero came ill with para-typhoid and was replaced by Leonid Kinskey.

Soundtracks:
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"Bambu Bambu"
(uncredited)
Music traditional
Lyrics by Almirante and Valdo De Abreu
Performed by Carmen Miranda with Bando da Lua

"Down Argentina Way"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Mack Gordon
Spanish lyrics by Carlos Albert
Sung by Betty Grable and Don Ameche
Sung and danced by The Nicholas Brothers


"Mamãe Eu Quero"
(uncredited)
Written by Jararaca and Vicente Paiva
Performed by Carmen Miranda with Bando da Lua



"Nenita"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Mack Gordon
Spanish lyrics by Carlos Albert
Performed in Spanish by Bando da Lua
Sung by Leonid Kinskey at the nightclub

"Sing to Your Señorita"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Mack Gordon
Performed by Charlotte Greenwood

"Two Dreams Met"
(uncredited)
Music by Harry Warren
Lyrics by Mack Gordon
Spanish lyrics (Dos Sueños) by Carlos Albert
Performed by Six Hits and a Miss
Also performed by Bando da Lua
Sung by Betty Grable and Don Ameche

"South American Way"
(uncredited)
Music by Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics by Al Dubin
Portuguese lyrics by Aloysio De Oliveira
Sung by Carmen Miranda during the opening scene
Also sung by a chorus during the following montage
Played when the plane arrives in Argentina

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