In 1917 Indiana, small-town tomboy Doris Day (as Marjorie Winfield) loses her interest in baseball when she meets handsome English Literature major Gordon MacRae (as William "Bill" Sherman). Their romance is threatened by meddlesome family members, another suitor, and a World War. The reason Billy Gray (as Wesley Winfield), Ms. Day's 11-year-old little brother, threatens to steal the film is that this was originally his story. This film was based on Booth Tarkington's "Penrod" boy adventure books. The stories were re-tailored as Doris Day vehicles. As such, they work very well...The sequel to this one, "By the Light of the Silvery Moon" is even more smoothly presented, although one wants to give art director Douglas Bacon, editor film Thomas Reilly, and set director William Wallace a special thanks for their work "On Moonlight Bay". Day and the song standards are lovely. There is an excellent spoof of silent films included - when young Gray goes to the "picture show" and sees the Vitagraph three-reel "The Curse of Drink" starring Creighton Hale. Of the regulars, incorrigible Gray and housekeeper Mary Wickes (as Stella) get the best lines and funniest scenes.****** On Moonlight Bay (7/26/51) Roy Del Ruth ~ Doris Day, Billy Gray, Gordon MacRae, Mary Wickes

I've always had a sneaking suspicion that Jack Warner saw how well MGM did with Two Weeks With Love, a nostalgic gaslight era musical that starred Jane Powell. I'm sure Warner then got the idea to do a musical for his reigning musical star of the moment Doris Day from the same era. And save a whole lot of money because nearly all the material is in the public domain.On Moonlight Bay is the title of the film and one of several songs sung by Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, and Gordon's rival for Doris, Jack Smith all from the era before America's entry in World War I. Hollywood has done a lot to glamorize that era of Norman Rockwell and Grant Wood as America likes to see itself. Certainly none of the social problems the USA had in that era seem to intrude on Milbern, Indiana the fictional location Booth Tarkington had for the Winfield and Sherman families whose son and daughter find each other.Of course if you paid a ticket to see social problems in a Doris Day film as that other Warner Brother icon would say, what a maroon. Doris as the tomboy first baseman hasn't quite discovered men yet, that is until she almost shoots Gordon MacRae. After that you know how this film will go.One original song was done for On Moonlight Bay, the Christmas Story which Doris and Gordon sing with accompanying carolers. It blends nicely in with all the nostalgic material.On Moonlight Bay and its sequel film, By The Light Of The Silvery Moon is based on the Booth Tarkington Penrod stories. Billy Gray who later was Bud Anderson in Father Knows Best plays Doris's younger brother Wesley (Penrod). He's one mischievous kid and whatever trouble he doesn't get into here is saved for the next film.Doris, Gordon, and Billy all appear in the next film along with her parents Leon Ames and Rosemary DeCamp and maid Mary Wickes who always has a sharp word for the goings on.I confess I have a fondness for the songs of this romantic era myself, so I'm prejudiced about On Moonlight Bay. But try it you young folk, you might like it.

I wouldn't call this a musical, but it is certainly a great comedy drama. The main reason I wanted to see this is obviously the enchanting Doris Day as Marjorie 'Marjie' Winfield. Basically she met love interest William 'Bill' Sherman (Gordon MacRae) after only just moving into a house in the small town of Indiana, and they obviously got closer in moments on Moonlight Bay. It is the nice love story almost ruined by inconvenience, including Bill joining the First World War, but more prominently, Marjie's naughty brother Wesley (Billy Gray) causing trouble, arguments and almost no happy endings and dysfunction. Also starring Jack Smith as the annoying piano playing and singing Hubert Wakely, Leon Ames as Banker George 'Father' Winfield (Mr. Winfield), Rosemary DeCamp as Alice 'Mother' Winfield (Mrs. Winfield), Mary Wickes as Stella (Winfields' cook and housekeeper) and Ellen Corby as Miss Mary Stevens (Wesley's schoolteacher). This is where Daffy Duck and Porky Pig (and other Looney Tunes characters) picked up the song. A sequel, By the Light of the Silvery Moon, followed two years later. Doris Day was number 84 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars. Good!

This is the first of two movies about the same characters. Doris Day and Gordon MacRae play young sweethearts in this turn of the century inspired by the stories of Booth Tarkington. The story is told from her point of view and her home life with her mother, father and bratty brother are central to the film. Of the family members, the most memorable is Billy Gray ("Bud" from FATHER KNOWS BEST), as he is a terrible little brat that is a lot like Dennis the Menace and the Problem Child all rolled up into one. In particular, the portion of the film where he tells a HUGE lie to his school teacher is a riot!The romance between the two is sweet, but in trouble because Gordon plays such a stubborn and overly opinionated "modern" man who doesn't believe in old fashioned conventions like marriage! Well, being a Hollywood film, and a very sweet one at that, you KNOW how the film will end. However, the journey there is so pleasant and so well constructed that you really don't mind at all! It's a delight for all.