This is one of those properties which yield incredible mileage in a relatively short time-span. It started life as a series of short stories about two sisters from Ohio. The stories became a film which in turn became a Broadway musical and when Columbia ran into trouble securing the rights to the Broadway musical they simply made their own smaller scale musical and tapped Jule Styne for the music and Leo Robin for the lyrics, both more than able to stand comparison with Lennie Bernstein and Comden and Green, arguably the most overrated lyricists of the forties and fifties. Janet Leigh struggles to reach ho-hum as the (on paper) irrestible Eileen whilst Betty Garrett leaves Leigh dead in the water. It remains a pleasant enough movie for one viewing.

Betty Garrett and Janet Leigh star in "My Sister Eileen," a 1955 musical also starring Jack Lemmon, Bob Fosse, Tommy Rall and Kurt Kasznar. This is not the musical "Wonderful Town" but it has delightful music by Jule Style. It's the story of the Sherwood Girls, Ruth and Eileen, who come to Greenwich Village from Ohio to "make it" -Eileen as a performer and Ruth as a writer. The two are conned by a landlord (Kasznar) into renting (for a whopping $65 a month) a basement apartment that shakes like crazy during subway construction. Not to mention, with their window placed the way it is, they may as well be living in the street.The Ruth character is based on the writer of the original story, Ruth McKenney. Eileen is the freshly beautiful blonde who always has men swarming around her; in comparison, the pretty, funny and stylish Ruth feels like a plain Jane. She sublimates by being dedicated to her career until she meets a publisher (Jack Lemmon) and falls for him. He's interested in her story, "My Sister Eileen," and she's so insecure, she tells him that she is the sought after Eileen - it's another aspect of her personality, she says.The Greenwich Village aspect makes the film as the movie captures its atmosphere perfectly and gives a real feel for the New York of the 1950s. Betty Garrett is great as Ruth. Her singing and acting are both wonderful. Surprisingly, though it's the title role, the part of Eileen really isn't much. (Sadly, the real Eileen died very young. She married writer Nathanael West and died with him 8 months later in a 1940 car accident.) Janet Leigh is pretty and sweet, putting over the necessary naiveté as Eileen, plus she gets to show off her singing and dancing. Fosse, who also choreographed, and Tommy Rall are suitors of Eileen and do some fabulous dancing. Dick York has a small but showy role as a young man in Ruth's and Eileen's building. Jack Lemmon, in an early role, is slightly miscast as the sophisticated publisher but is very likable.Well-directed by Richard Quine, it's a shame that "My Sister Eileen" hasn't gotten more attention. It's pretty to look at and to listen to with wonderful, vibrant performances. Check it out.

There are so many accolades that can be linked to the musical version of MY SISTER EILEEN in its Columbia 50's version that one doesn't know where to start. First some facts -- WONDERFUL TOWN, the Bernstein-Comden-Green Broadway version was a smash, not a so-so attempt as has been stated elsewhere. Rosalind Russell received every honor imaginable for her return to the state, and Edie Adams, as Eileen, was also acclaimed, along with the score, the book, etc. Columbia could not arrange with Bernstein and Co. for their handiwork so it rolled out its own EILEEN, and the results are beyond charming. For the record, to dispute another silly comment, BETTY GARRETT, one of the genuine talents of stage and screen, was a musical comedy star on Bway and Hollywood, so her training was extensive, and her performance in the film, perhaps, is its greatest attribute -- but the Bob Fosse-Tommy Rall 'challenge' dance outside the burlesque theater is brilliant, as is the Bandstand song. Janet Leigh would have enchanted any and all males within sight, and her singing and dancing is quite expert. Jack Lemmon's work is fine, and his voice is good -- he was a cabaret pianist-singer whenever the chance opened for him. He also recorded several LP's. IF there is one weakness, it is the same as the Broadway production (which incidentally got a stellar revival and awards recently with Donna Murphy). The ending is too abrupt, and the Conga Line number could have ended stronger. BUT it is a small element. This is one of those musicals, at the tale end of the musical era in Hollywood, that deserves to be listed among the finest of them all!!!

What if this schlock fifties remake of a decent movie adaptation of a very good musical had had, in addition to Jack Lemmon and Dick York--Jane Russell and Marilyn Monroe? The combination would have been a natural.