Song of the Islands (1942)

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.

You can view this movie on youtube.


Soundtracks:
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"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

I wake Up Screaming (1941). Suspense film.

I Wake Up Screaming (1941). Suspense film. Cast: Betty Grable, Victor Mature, and Carole Landis. It is based on the novel with the same title by Steve Fisher, with a screenplay by Fisher and Dwight Taylor. It was one of the few times Betty Grable had a straight dramatic role in a picture.

Soon after Vicky Lynn is killed, New York City police question Frankie Christopher, a promoter who sponsored Vicky. Policeman Jerry MacDonald, asks Frankie to tell them how he met Vicky, and Frankie begins his story: One evening, Frankie goes with his friends to a lunchroom where Vicky works as a waitress. Impressed with her beauty Frankie takes her to the El Chico Club and helps her get invited to the table of influential Mrs. Handel. By the end of the evening Vicky is offered two modeling jobs. After her screen test Vicky tells Frankie that she is going to Hollywood without him. Feeling betrayed, Frankie storms out of her apartment and talks with Robin and Larry, both of whom have fallen in love with Vicky. As Jill begins sharing her side of the story: she tells the police that she does not believe that Frankie is guilty of killing her sister. She informs them that before Vicky met Frankie, a strange man had been following her, and when detective Cornell enters the interrogation room, Jill realizes that he was the man who was following Vicky. Frankie believes that detective Cornell is determined to pin the killing on him. Will Jill, the victim's sister help him prove his innocence?
I Wake Up Screaming deleted scene.
I Wake Up Screaming Movie Clip #2.
Dramatic, low-key lighting is what I remember most about this film. This was Betty Grable's first non-musical role. She's sweet, practical, and a brave film noir heroine. Victor Mature is a strong and appealing protagonist. The stand-out performance is Laird Cregar as the creepy, police detective Cornell. He's truly one of the most memorable noir villains. "I Wake Up Screaming" is a wonderful film noir.
Carole's websight: I wake up screaming.