Music in Manhattan
Music in Manhattan
NR | 06 October 1944 (USA)
Music in Manhattan Trailers

Frankie Foster and Stanley Benson are a pair of small-potatoes performers. Both try to make it to the big-time after winning an amateur talent contest. Though this leads them to a few professional gigs, something is missing from their act and they are not popular. Believing a little cash will boost their career, Frankie heads for Washington, D.C. to see if her wealthy father will help them. En route Frankie is mistaken for the wife of the well-known pilot Johnny Pearson and ends up in his suite having to pretend she is his spouse. When the pilot meets her, romantic sparks fly.

Reviews
mark.waltz

Anne Shirley finds her flop Broadway revue suddenly a smash hit when she ends up in a mistaken publicity article as falsely married to a war hero. Philip Terry is the poor sap, actually involved with Shirley's co-star, who ends up in the same hotel room with her in an overcrowded Washington, and for some reason, this publicity sends the Broadway theater's box office getting lines around the corner. (I guess RKO Radio hadn't checked out the ratio of those going to see "Oklahoma!" to those seeing typical Broadway fare in the mid 1940's). The audience seen in the opening number resembles that of the most panned flops today, and all it took was one columnist to mention her about-to-close show in the newspaper to turn the tide. Toss in Jane Darwell half way through the film as the suddenly arrived soldier's mother, and you're gonna groan your way through the remainder of the film. This pain in the rear mother-in-law loves her "new" daughter-in-law so much she does everything but move a cot into the bedroom with the new couple, while Shirley's real fiancée (Don Beddoe) tries to sneak Terry out. An embarrassing script with awkward performances and some not so jazzy jitterbug numbers, this rates among the lowest of the low.

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tarpoff

I am quite surprised that there is only 1 review of this film. Perhaps it has not been shown that often. This was my first viewing and I am a huge Anne Shirley fan. This is one of four films released in her final year in the movie industry, the final film being perhaps the best film noir mystery ever: MURDER, MY SWEET.This film is well made. The action is consistent, moving at a solid pace with good acting, directing, editing, etc. Anne Shirley is engaging as usual and sweet & beautiful as always. The premise is interesting and the movie is quite enjoyable. The conclusion is nicely done with a delightful finish. This is one of Anne Shirley's better films. When she left the industry after 1944, she was only 26 years old. Many of her early films were well done, but "B" films, as she had started out as a child actress. Better films had begun to come her way after her Oscar nomination for STELLA DALLAS in 1937. However, no matter the caliber of the material, or the capability of the rest of the cast and producers; Anne Shirley was always a commanding presence in all her films.I would heartily recommend this film to any movie fan: and not just classic movie fans. This is a story that could play as well today or any time. It is fun, interesting, entertaining and well done.

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Peggy Allguire

A struggling song and dance actress tells a little white lie to obtain passage on an airliner bound for Washington. Everything gets out of control when the fib is believed by the media! She meets Mr. Wonderful, she becomes famous, and her Off-Broadway show becomes a hit. Dennis Day plays her bewildered boyfriend, but his voice is right on the money. Many great character actors add to the mix to make it a fun romp.

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