The Shining Future (1944) - Star of the month... Frank Sinatra

'The Shining Future' is a 1944 musical short film directed by LeRoy Prince and starring Olive Blakeney, Jack Carson, Benny Goodman and his Orchestra, Bing Crosby, Deanna Durbin, Cary Grant, Jimmie Lydon, Irene Manning, Herbert Marshall, Dennis Morgan, Harold Peary (Great Gildersleeve), Charles Ruggles and Frank Sinatra.  The short was produced by Jack L. Warner.

The short film consists of the following components:

• Herbert Marshall takes us through an "imaginative glimpse" into the future world of 1960, and into the living room the Ames family, who watch an archive film hosted by Jack Carson
• Frank Sinatra sings "There'll Be a Hot Time in the Town of Berlin"
• Dennis Morgan & Irene Manning sing "One Alone" as a duet
• Cary Grant reads a letter written by a Canadian soldier who was killed in action
• Deanna Durbin sings "Begin the Beguine"
• Benny Goodman and his Orchestra play "Sing, Sing, Sing" - featuring Harry James on trumpet and Gene Krupa on drums
• Bing Crosby sings "Get on the Road to Victory"
• The short closes with footage of the frontline at war

This film is world war II propoganda to encourage moviegoers to purchase war bonds. It uses the concept of the future, to demonstrate the growth of war bonds with long-term investment. For example, in 1960 Mr. Ames plans to use his war bonds as a down payment for Danny's college education. Sadly Danny's friend Joe will not be able to go to college as his parents didn't keep their war bonds.

Overall, good entertainment with a handful of memorable stars. The imaginative look into the future is amusing, although I think they were a little optimistic at how advanced the world would be. In today's world, (over 50 years later) we are still not as advanced as the world the Ames lives in - we are yet to innovate flying cars or have our own personal rocket ships.

Watch the full short film here:

Christmas Holiday (1944) - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

'Christmas Holiday' is a 1944 film noir directed by Robert Siodmak and starring Deanna Durbin, Gene Kelly, Richard Whorf, Dean Harens, Gladys George, Gale Sondergaard,  David Bruce.

Written for the screen by Herman J. Mankiewicz and loosely based on the novel by W. Somerset Maugham.

After Charles Mason (played by Harens) learns his fiancee Mona has married another man, he meets Simon (played by Whorf). Simon introduces Charles to dance hall hostess Jackie Lamont (played by Durbin). Jackie confides in Charles, explaining her real name is Abigail Manette, and she is the wife of convicted murderer Robert Manette (played by Kelly). The film tells Abigail's story in flashback about her suspicions about her husband's secret, and her relationship with her mother in law. Shortly after Abigail finishes telling her story, Robert breaks out of prison, and is looking for Jackie, with a gun in his pocket.

Watch the trailer:

Musical program

Deanna Durbin sings 2 songs in this film: Frank Loesser's "Spring Will be a Little Late This Year" and Irving Berlin's "Always".


Song: "Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year" - Deanna Durbin

Song: "Always" - Deanna Durbin

Did you know...

• This was Gene Kelly and Deanna Durbin's only film together
• Deanna Durbin's first dramatic role

Bloopers & goofs...

• CONTINUITY - The newspaper spells Robert's last name as "Mannette", however the end credits spell it as "Manette"

Award nominations

• Academy Award nomination for Best Music Score

Closing remarks

'Christmas Holiday' is a dark yet intriguing Christmas noir. I like how both Gene Kelly & Deanna Durbin (traditionally musical comedy stars) are cast in very different roles unlike anything else in their careers. Durbin is quite the femme fatale, and it is a shame she didn't make anymore films like this. Some years later, Kelly would go on to play a similar style of role in 'The Black Hand' (1950). From the supporting cast, the great Gale Sondergaard is perfectly cast as Gene Kelly's devoted mother.
Overall, this is a great Christmas film, but is sadly not shown on TV as often as other Christmas films. Try to watch this rare gem if you ever have the chance.

Every Sunday (1936)

Star Birthday... Judy Garland's 90th Birthday

Judy Garland was born Frances Ethel Gumm on 10 June 1922. She began as part of a singing trio with her sisters, The Gumm Sisters. Film studio MGM featured The Gumm Sisters in some musical short films, where the youngest sister (Judy) began to stand out. 


In 1936, Judy was featured in the musical short film Every Sunday, with Deanna Durbin. MGM was impressed with Judy's performance, they decided to keep her on contract. For the rest of Judy's early career she was cast in a number of low budget black and white musicals, such as Everybody Sing (1938) and Listen, Darling (1938). In 1939, history was made when Judy was cast as Dorothy Gale in The Wizard of Oz, after MGM were unable to lease Shirley Temple from FOX. This led to Judy becoming one of MGMs biggest stars.




Throughout the years, Judy was not satisfied with her appearance, and often felt she was fat and ugly. She became reliant on anti-depressants which impacted her ability to attend work each day. MGM tired of Judy's bad behaviour fired her in 1950, while she was filming Annie, Get Your Gun. 


Judy Garland became one of Hollywood's biggest tragedies after dying from an accidental overdose of sleeping pills on 22 June 1969 at age 47. 


I have chosen a rather unusual film for my blog, with Judy's first MGM film Every Sunday (1936). The film runs for just over 10 minutes, and is available to watch on YouTube (refer to the link below). 

Recommended viewing

• Every Sunday (1936 - short film)
• Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937)
• Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938)
• Everybody Sing (1938)
• Listen, Darling (1938)
• The Wizard of Oz (1939)
• Babes in Arms (1939)
• Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1940)
• Strike Up the Band (1940)
• Babes on Broadway (1941)
• For Me & My Gal (1942)
• Girl Crazy (1943)
• Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)
• The Clock (1945)
• The Harvey Girls (1946)
• The Pirate (1948)
• Easter Parade (1948)
• In the Good Old Summertime (1949)
• Summer Stock (1950)
• A Star is Born (1954)
• I Could Go On Singing (1963)

Every Sunday

'Every Sunday' (1936) is an MGM short film featuring a young Judy Garland and Deanna Durbin. The film was intended to be a screen test for the young actresses, who both went on to become major stars.

It is the story of two girls Edna (played by Durbin) and Judy (played by Garland), who attempt to save a public concert series from being cancelled due to poor attendance.

Although the film runs approx. 10 minutes, the film is a significant entry in Judy Garland's filmography as it was her first screen appearance with MGM.

Watch the film on YouTube: