Director: CURTIS BERNHARDT. Screenplay: Casey Robinson, Richard Macaulay, Jerry Wald. Story: Leonard Spigelgass. Photography: Charles Rosher. Film editor: Rudi Fehr. Art director: Robert Haas. Make-up: Perc Westmore. Costumes designed by Orry-Kelly. Dialogue director: Hugh Cummings. Music composed by Frederick Hollander. Music director: Leo F. Forbstein. Songs: "I Found a Million Dollar Baby" (chorus) by Harry Warren (music), Mort Dixon and Billy Rose (lyrics); "Who Is In Your Dreams Tonight?" (Wynn) by Frederick Hollander. Assistant director: Chuck Hansen. Sound recording: Charles Lang. RCA Sound System. Associate producer: David Lewis. Executive producer: Hal B. Wallis. Copyright 31 May 1941 by Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Strand: 6 June 1941. U.S. release: 31 May 1941. Australian release: 7 August 1941. 9,073 feet. 100 minutes.SYNOPSIS: Poor (but beautiful) salesgirl suddenly inherits one million dollars.COMMENT: Here we have a program picture. A saleable cast and a good bit of money thrown around on sets and extras, but it doesn't quite come off. Audiences would be disappointed if the movie turned up as a main attraction, so it needs to be coupled with a stronger movie. That way, audiences can come late for "Million Dollar Baby" and not feel chagrined that they've carelessly missed out on ten or forty minutes of superlative entertainment. Nevertheless, Million Dollar Baby has many things going for it, especially the lovely Priscilla Lane who makes an entrancing and charming heroine. In fact, I can't imagine anyone else that I'd rather see so expensively gowned. Admittedly, even in her earlier scenes, Miss Lane looks absolutely radiant, thanks to first-class make-up and lighting. May Robson also has a role that she can do justice to, but Ronald Regan is nowhere near as indulgently treated by the script. He does his best with the unrewarding part, but is easily outshone by the personably suave Jeffrey Lynn. A solid support cast includes Helen Westley as a selfishly irascible landlady, Walter Catlett as a harassed floorwalker, James Burke as a store detective (I love the way he vibrates his hat), and his look-alike character actor Edward Gargan (pronounced, "Garry- gen, to rhyme with "pen"), delightfully insolent here as a smart-Alec customs official.Bernhardt's direction is inclined to be slow and heavy-handed, but other production credits, including Rosher's glossy cinematography, are top-drawer. The musical program's high-light turns out to be a tuneful song by svelte Nan Wynn. Mr. Reagan himself claims responsibility for his deliberately mediocre piano- playing.

To right a past wrong, wealthy May Robson (as Cornelia Wheelwright) arrives in New York from Switzerland to find the granddaughter of an old family rival and move into her boarding house, intending to give the young woman a million dollars. Young lawyer Jeffrey Lynn (as James "Jim" Amory) finds pretty Priscilla Lane (as Pamela "Pam" McAllister) working as a lowly department store clerk. He also sees Ms. Lane as a potential romantic partner, but she is dating struggling musician Ronald Reagan (as Peter "Pete" Rowan). Shortly before the 30 minute mark, Ms. Lane has a leggy lingerie scene. Otherwise, this bland romance is highlighted by newcomer Curtis Bernhardt's sprightly direction and a strong supporting cast.***** Million Dollar Baby (5/31/41) Curtis Bernhardt ~ Priscilla Lane, May Robson, Jeffrey Lynn, Ronald Reagan

Don't tune this one in if you're expecting the Clint Eastwood classic, someone may try and slip this one by you. Not that this Million Dollar Baby is entirely bad. It's the kind of silliness that an incredibly skilled group of familiar players make palatable so that you can accept the nonsense on some level.May Robson does her Applie Annie role in reverse, she's the dowager spinster heiress of an old robber baron whom she discovers got his fortune by bilking a partner back in the day who committed suicide. Seeking to right some wrongs Robson discovers the granddaughter and heir of the deceased partner is Priscilla Lane, proud working person where you find Million Dollar Babies, in a five and ten cent store.Her lawyer, young Jeffrey Lynn is the agent for Robson's largess, quite a dapper fellow himself. Priscilla's got a boyfriend though, struggling composer Ronald Reagan. Given what Reagan's politics were when he became President of the United States it's a bit much to her him railing against the rich, but who would have figured in 1941.Some of the best character players around fill out the rest of the cast of Million Dollar Baby and they make the incredible story entertaining in its own way. Helen Westley as Lane's landlady, John Qualen as an eccentric scientist, George Barbier as Robson's former attorney, Lee Patrick as a burlesque queen. There isn't a name I've mentioned in that group that doesn't summon up an image and type that old film viewers know exactly what to expect.That cast gives Million Dollar Baby the vitality it has. As for Priscilla and her new found millions, will she choose lawyer Lynn or composer Reagan. I won't say, but I will tell you that I think she chose wrong.

Whilst May Robson is on the screen this film is entertaining.As soon as she disappears the film goes down the drain.Priscilla Lane seems to think that the quicker you deliver lines the funnier they will be.Reagans character is so poorly written that you don't know if he is meant to be funny or serious.This must be the umpteenth film of this era where a popular musician had written a symphony.Lynn is plain anonymous.In my view there is only one reason why a film like this seems to have permanently disappeared from sight.The reason is that it simply is not funny or entertaining any more.So don't bother to waste your time watching this film.Watching paint dry is much more interesting!