Jeannette MacDonald saw the writing on the wall when she was cast as a mother in her second to last film. She had ruled the MGM lot from 1934 to 1944, but now it was time for her to go.She sings and acts admirably in this silly, contrived family romantic comedy, but she is matched by the up and coming youngster, Jane Powell, who would, after this passing of the torch film, rule the MGM musical lot for another decade.It's a silly film, based on a lie - MacDonald's character has never told her three daughters the truth about their uncaring father, and so she is responsible for their incomprehension of her re-marrying and so act accordingly in trying to bring their father back into their lives.All act earnestly and it is shot in absolutely gorgeous Technicolor. Still, despite its warm intentions, it comes across as a bit twee. Why did the stupid screenwriters use Iturbi as himself. Hadn't he a private life? How could he be considered as married to this fictional woman? How much easier to simply give him a fictional character to play as they did Miss MacDonald? One of those MGM mistakes that can never be ironed out.Iturbi does as well as a non-actor can, but his inability to play a physically and emotionally attractive character makes MacDonald's character choice of a new husband ho-hum for audiences.Ann B. Todd is quite serious as the second daughter and Elinor Donaghue ( who later would be known coast to coast as the eldest daughter of the TV series, Father Knows Best) does well as the youngster.It's not a bad film, it's just a competent one. Almost the last glimpse of MacDonald, still radiant and in top form at the end of her career.

I am a soprano, so I like seeing movies with Jeanette MacDonald and Jane Powell. I enjoyed seeing the young Elinor Donahue; what a nice surprise. Movie shows working mother putting in lots of hours for her daughters, and even becoming ill and not attending the graduation. The mother deserves to be happy, but the girls tend to be selfish and never realize mama needs a life of her own. Their noses are certainly out of joint when mother gets remarried. They pull the usual "rude to the new step-parent" routine, but all gets resolved later. I enjoyed seeing Jose Iturbi being a major character, and not just a famous bandleader in the background like in some of his other movies.10/10

Three Daring Daughters is a harmless, cute little movie. It may be a little naive and fluffy, but if you need a bit of cheering up it does definitely help.It's about a single mum that goes away on a cruise and gets married to a musician. Her daughters don't know about her getting married and are trying to organize a reunion between their mother and their father, who is away on business (and has been absent for some time).Jane Powell definitely shines in this role. This is the movie in which I 'discovered' her, if you like. It's a great film with some great numbers in it.Another reviewer said it gives you a naive look at second marriage, single parenting and everything. But would I want a realistic view? No. Because that would defeat a sole purpose of going to the movies - to get away from reality. And that's why I like this film.

It makes you wonder why Jane Powell did not pursue a career in opera. As as Jeannette MacDonald was, Jane Powell outshines her in this movie. Jose Iturbi is a superb pianist and conductor and shows good acting talent. Edward Arnold is a classic, excellent actor. Any movie that he is in is good. It was interesting to see the "Father Knows Best" girl, Eleanor Donohue in such an early role for her.