The Kissing Bandit (1948) - Star of the month... Frank Sinatra

'The Kissing Bandit' is a 1948 musical starring Laslo Benedek and starring Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, Ann Miller, J. Carrol Naish, Mildred Natwick, Ricardo Montalban & Cyd Charisse.

Produced by Joe Pasternak, the screenplay was written by Isabel Lennart & ??

Ricardo (played by Sinstra) visits California to discover he is the son of the notorious kissing bandit. Ricardo plans to live a quiet, however his friends have other ideas and encourage him to follow in his father's footsteps.  

Musical progran

• "Tonight Means Romance" - Kathryn Grayson
• "What's Wrong With Me?" - Kathryn Grayson & Frank Sinatra
• "I Like You" - Sono Asato
• "If I Steal A Kiss" - Kathryn Grayson
• "Siesta" - Frank Sinatra
• "Dance of Fury (Fiesta Dance Specialty)" - Ann Miller, Ricardo Montalban & Cyd Charisse)
• "Señorita" - Frank Sinatra & Kathryn Grayson
• "Love Is Where You Find It" - Kathryn Grayson
• "If I Steal A Kiss (Reprise)" - Frank Sinatra

Song: "Dance of Fury" - Ann Miller, Cyd Charisse 

Song: "Love is Where You Find It" - Kathryn Grayson

Did you know...

• Frank Sinatra did not want to make this film, as he felt he was not right for the part - however the studio forced him to appear and Sinatra claimed he never saw the finished film
• Kathryn Grayson said this was her least favourite of all her films

Closing remarks

A very underrated MGM musical, which I really enjoyed. I found all  of the songs to be quite good, with the highlights being the "Dance of Fury" dance specialty featuring Miller, Montalban & Charisse. I am a very big fan of Ann Miller (she is in my top 3 stars), so I found it very exciting to see her dance off up against Cyd Charisse (my other fave dancer). Another musical highlight was Sono Asato's whip cracking dance routine "I Like You".

Similar premise to 'The Pirate' (1948), released the same year with Gene Kelly. I actually prefer this film over 'The Pirate', however 'The Pirate' is much more well known and appreciated today.

It Happened in Brooklyn (1947) - Star of the month... Frank Sinatra

"It doesn't have to be classical art as long as it comes from the heart" - Jimmy Durante (as Nick Lombardi in 'It Happened in Brooklyn')

'It Happened in Brooklyn' is a 1947 musical directed by Richard Whorf and starring Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, Peter Lawford, Jimmy Durante, Gloria Grahame & Marcy McGuire. The film contains 6 songs written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne, as well as a few opera arias.

Watch the trailer:

Danny Webson Miller (played by Sinatra) has been in the army for four years, and returns to his one true love: the city of Brooklyn. Before his return he meets a shy young composer, Jamie Shellgrove (played by Lawford). Jamie's grandfather asks Danny to help make Jamie more social by introducing him to some girls in Brooklyn. After returning to Brooklyn Danny meets schoolteacher Anne Fielding (played by Grayson) and is reunited with an old friend, Nick Lombardi (played by Durante).

Musical program

• "Whose Baby Are You?" - Frank Sinatra
• "The Brooklyn Bridge" - Frank Sinatra
• "The Bell Song" - Kathryn Grayson
• "I Believe" - Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Durante & Bobby Long
• "The Song's Gotta Come From the Heart" - Frank Sinatra & Jimmy Durante
• "La Ci Darem La Mano" - Kathryn Grayson & Frank Sinatra
• "It's the Same Old Dream" - Frank Sinatra
• "It's the Same Old Dream (Reprise) - Students ensemble
• "Time After Time" - Frank Sinatra
• "Time After Time (Reprise)" - Kathryn Grayson
• "Whose Baby Are You? (Reprise)" - Peter Lawford

Song: "The Song's Gotta Come From the Heart" - Frank Siantra & Jimmy Durante

Song: "Time After Time (Reprise)" - Kathryn Grayson

Song: "La Ci Darem La Mano" - Kathryn Grayson & Frank Sinatra

Song: "I Believe" - Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Durante & Bobby Long

Did you know...

• This was Frank Sinatra's third MGM film, and the third time he & Kathryn Grayson appeared in the same film
• The piano music played in the film was played by an unseen 17 year old Andre Previn, who had just joined the MGM musical department

Closing remarks

One of the weaker MGM musicals with a moderately bad script and very little substance. The film was primarily designed to showcase the vocal talent of Frank Sinatra - which is what the majority of Elvis Presley's filmography would endeavour to do. I'm not a fan of the ending and the way in which the film just cuts off.

There are some good songs in the film, "Time After Time", "I Believe" & the Sinatra/Durante duet "The Songs Gotta Come From the Heart". 

I find Jimmy Durante carries the film pretty much on his own and at the same time shows us what vaudeville greatness is.

Anchors Aweigh (1945) - Star of the month... Frank Sinatra

"Look at me! I'm dancing!" - Jerry the Mouse in 'Anchors Aweigh'

'Anchor's Aweigh' is a 1945 MGM musical comedy directed by George Sidney and starring Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, Gene Kelly and José Iturbi. The film's supporting cast features Dean Stockwell, Pamela Britton, "Rags" Ragland, Leon Ames and Sharon McManus.

Written by Isobel Lennart, the song and dance romance was produced Joe Pasternak and edited by the great Adrienne Fazan.

Navy buddies Joe Brady (played by Kelly) and Clarence Doolittle (played by Sinatra) are awarded bravery medals and granted four days leave in Hollywood. Whilst on leave, they meet young boy Donald Martin (played by Stockwell), who wants to join the navy. When they take Donald home to his Aunt Susie Abbott (played by Grayson), both Joe and Clarence find themselves both in love with her. To impress Susie, they lie and boast about being able to secure Susie a Hollywood audition with the great Jose Iturbi.

Watch the trailer

Jose Iturbi's orchestra spells out the word "NAVY"

The opening sequence

The film's opening scene is among my favourites for a musical. I really like the way George Sidney has used  a montage of shots featuring the different instrument group individually, before cutting to José Iturbi conducting the full orchestra playing 'Anchor's Aweigh'. At the end of the song, we see the orchestra is standing in position to spell out the word "NAVY".

Gene Kelly dances with Jerry the Mouse
in 'The Worry Song'

Gene Kelly dances with Jerry the Mouse

This film is best known for featuring Gene Kelly dancing with Jerry the Mouse from 'Tom & Jerry'. This was one of the first times animation was mixed with live action footage.

Originally, Gene Kelly was meant to dance with Mickey Mouse, however Walt Disney refused to allow Mickey Mouse to appear in an MGM film. Jerry the Mouse (owned by MGM) became a easy substitute. I believe Jerry was a better choice anyway, and don't feel Mickey Mouse was the right choice for this sequence.

In the documentary series, 'MGM: When the Lion Roars' (1992), animators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera reveal how they made this magical sequence:

• Gene Kelly rehearsed with a cardboard cut out of Jerry the Mouse
• After rehersals, Gene Kelly was filmed without the cut out
• The film footage was then traced onto animation paper, with Jerry put onto the animation paper after the footage
• With both images of Kelly and Jerry on the animation paper, the paper was filmed again to give the final effect

At a screening for MGM executives, it was noted Gene Kelly had a reflection on the floor, but Jerry did not. To improve the experience, the animation team re-animated the sequence, with Jerry's reflection on the floor.

Song: "The Worry Song" - Gene Kelly & Jerry the Mouse (from 'Tom & Jerry')

Musical highlights

The film features many musical highlights including:

Gene Kelly & Frank Sinatra sing and dance

in 'Anchors Aweigh' 

• "Anchors Aweigh" - José Iturbi & his Orchestra
• "We Hate to Leave" - Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly
• "Brahm's Lullaby" - Frank Sinatra
• "I Begged Her" - Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly
• "If You Knew Susie" - Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly
• "Jealousy" - Kathryn Grayson
• "What Makes the Sunset?" - Frank Sinatra
• "(All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings" - Kathryn Grayson
• "The Worry Song" - Gene Kelly & Jerry the Mouse
• "The Charm of You" - Frank Sinatra
• "I Fall in Love Too Easily" - Frank Sinatra

"If You Knew Susie" - Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly

Song: "I Begged Her" - Frank Sinatra & Gene Kelly

Song: "Jealousy" - Kathryn Grayson

Song: "Waltz Serenade" - Kathryn Grayson

Song: "I Fall In Love too Easily" - Frank Sinatra

Inspirations Aweigh

'Anchors Aweigh' has inspired several more contemporary productions, including Paula Abdul's music video for 'Opposite's Attract', where Abdul dances with an animated cat, and even an episode of 'Family Guy', where Stewie dances with Gene Kelly instead of Jerry the Mouse.

Music Video: "Opposite's Attract" - Paula Abdul

Clip: "Family Guy sequence" - Stewie dances with Gene Kelly

Did you know...

Frank Sinatra sings "I Fall in Love Too Easily" at

The Hollywood Bowl

• This was the first of three "buddy films", Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra made together
• The film won an Oscar for Best Original Music Score - in 2001, actor Kevin Spacey purchased this Oscar statuette at a Butterfield & Butterfield estate auction, and returned it to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
• Tom Cat appears briefly as a butler in the animated sequence
• The film provides a rare colour glimpse of the MGM studio, including the front gate, backlot, commissary, a scoring stage and the Thalberg Building
• The song "I Fall in Love Too Easily" was filmed on location at the Hollywood Bowl
• This was the first and only time Gene Kelly received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor
• It took 73 takes to film the song 'I Begged Her', as Frank Sinatra (not a trained dancer) had difficulty with synching his dancing

Awards and nominations

• Academy Award winner for Best Original Music Score
• Academy Award nomination for Best Picture
• Academy Award nomination for Best Actor (Gene Kelly)
• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography in a color film
• Academy Award nomination for Best Song ("I Fall in Love Too Easily")

Closing remarks

'Anchors Aweigh' in my opinion is one of the best MGM musicals ever made, and I have seen it many times. The songs are catchy, the stars are great and the film entertains for each of its 140 minutes.   I am surprised this film has not yet been turned into a Broadway musical, as I feel it feel it would translate well to the stage. 

MGMs 25th Anniversary - Star of the month... Angela Lansbury

Judy Garland seated next to Fred Astaire is not paying

attention to the camera

'MGMs 25th Anniversary' is a short film documenting, you guessed it, MGM's 25th anniversary banquet lunch.

It is primarily made up of the various MGM stars eating, with a short speech by Louis B. Mayer.

Some of the highlights for me include:

• Ava Gardner & Clark Gable smoking in every shot in which they are shown
• Ann Miller swapping seats with Agnes Moorehead, to sit next to her dear friend Jules Munshin
• Claude Jarmin Jr. with a big smile on face as he drinks something - I have a suspicion there may be something alcoholic in that glass, hence the cheeky smile
• Lena Horne looking awkward sitting next to Katharine Hepburn
• Mario Lanza chatting up Vivian Leigh, while Angela Lansbury sits next to him stuffing her face with food
• Errol Flynn & Greer Garson, fresh off the set of 'That Forsyte Woman' are looking rather cosy and inseparable



Jimmy Durante seated with Ava Gardner & Clark 

Gable - Notice Agnes Moorehead, Ann Miller  & 

Jules Mushin behind them

• The closing shot of Lassie

Some of the other classic stars featured include Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Betty Garrett, Leon Ames, Fred Astaire, Wallace Beery, Katharine Grayson, Jimmy Durante, Howard Keel, James Whitmore, and many more.

MGMs 25th Anniversary - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

Judy Garland seated next to Fred Astaire is not paying
attention to the camera

'MGMs 25th Anniversary' is a short film documenting, you guessed it, MGM's 25th anniversary banquet lunch.

It is primarily made up of the various MGM stars eating, with a short speech by Louis B. Mayer.

Some of the highlights for me include:

• Ava Gardner & Clark Gable smoking in every shot in which they are shown
• Ann Miller swapping seats with Agnes Moorehead, to sit next to her dear friend Jules Munshin
• Claude Jarmin Jr. with a big smile on face as he drinks something - I have a suspicion there may be something alcoholic in that glass, hence the cheeky smile
• Lena Horne looking awkward sitting next to Katharine Hepburn
• Mario Lanza chatting up Vivian Leigh, while Angela Lansbury sits next to him stuffing her face with food
• Errol Flynn & Greer Garson, fresh off the set of 'That Forsyte Woman' are looking rather cosy and inseparable



Jimmy Durante seated with Ava Gardner & Clark
Gable - Notice Agnes Moorehead, Ann Miller  &
Jules Mushin behind them

• The closing shot of Lassie

Some of the other classic stars featured include Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Betty Garrett, Leon Ames, Fred Astaire, Wallace Beery, Katharine Grayson, Jimmy Durante, Howard Keel, James Whitmore, and many more.

Ziegfeld Follies (1945) - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

"Here's to the beautiful ladies, here's to those wonderful girls... Adele's and Molly's, Lucille's and Polly's, you'll find them all in the Ziegfeld Follies... this is the mixture to start the picture, so bring on the beautiful girls..." - Fred Astaire (as himself in 'Ziegfeld Follies')

'Ziegfeld Follies' is the 1945 MGM musical extravaganza celebrating the Florenz Ziegfeld's 'Ziegfeld Follies'.

The film features a cavalcade of MGM musical talent in special guest apperances, including Fred Astaire, Lucille Ball, Marion Bell, Lucille Bremer, Fanny Brice, Cyd Charisse, Hume Cronyn, William Frawley, Judy Garland, Kathryn Grayson, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly, James Melton, Victor Moore, Virginia O'Brien, Red Skelton, Esther Williams, Keenan Wynn and William Powell repising his role as the great Florenz Ziegfeld.

With the exception of the opening scene, the film does not have a plot as such, as consists of a series of song, dance and comedy segments.

I have structured my blog post in the same way as the film, by discussion each of the segments individually. I have also managed to locate many of the segments on YouTube, should you wish to watch as you read.

But first I'd like to give you some context on the 'Ziegfeld Follies'?

The Ziegfeld Follies

Inspired by the Folies Bergeres of Paris, the Ziegfeld Follies were a series of elaborate musical productions conceived by Broadway producer Florenz Ziegfeld and presented on Broadway in New York City from 1907 to 1931.

Many of the dominant entertainers of the time period appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies at some point, including Fanny Brice, Sophie Tucker, Eddie Cantor, W.C. Fields, Josephine Baker, Will Rogers, Ruth Etting, Ray Bolger, Helen Morgan, Marilyn Miller, Ed Wynn and Gilda Gray.

The Ziegfeld Follies were also famous for the beautiful chorus girls, known as Ziegfeld Girls. Another film called 'Ziegfeld Girl' was produced in 1941, and gave insight into what it meant to be a Ziegfeld Girl.

William Powell as The Great Ziegfeld

Florenz Ziegfeld in Heaven

The film opens with Florenz Ziegfeld (played by Powell) in heaven, remembering Broadway of 1907. His memories are presented in animation, with animated likenesses of Ziegfeld stars including Marilyn Miller, Fanny Brice, Will Rogers and Eddie Cantor.

Whilst in heaven, Ziegfeld decides to create one more Ziegfeld Follies...

"Here's to the Girls / Bring on the Wonderful Men" - Fred Astaire & Virginia O'Brien (with Lucille Ball & Cyd Charisse) 

Lucille Ball tames a pack of cat women
with a whip

Ziegfeld decides to open the Follies with a pink number, introduced by his dear friend Fred Astaire.
Astaire sings 'Here's to the Girl', which includes a dance speciality by Cyd Charisse and an interlude with Lucille Ball taming a pack of cat ladies with a whip.

Cyd Charisse in a pink tutu

Lucille Ball tames a pack of cat ladies while
Cyd Charisse dances

The sequence concludes with Virginia O'Brien biting back with 'Bring on the Wonderful Men'.

Song: "Here's to the Girls" - Fred Astaire (with Lucille Ball & Cyd Charisse)

Song: "Bring On the Wonderful Men" - Virginia O'Brien

"A Water Ballet" - Esther Williams

The beautiful Esther Williams floats at the top of her pool

No MGM musical of the 1940s would be complete without an underwater ballet sequence from the million dollar mermaid, Esther Williams.

Not one of Williams' best or most elaborate underwater ballets, but still entertaining.








Song: "A Water Ballet" - Esther Williams

"Number Please?" - Keenan Wynn

Some comic relief is provided with Kennan Wynn has some difficulty with a telephone operator in 'Number Please'. By the end of this short sketch, Wynn is driven to the brink of sanity.

Clip: "Number Please" - Keenan Wynn

"Traviata" - James Melton & Marion Bell

James Melton and Marion Bell star as Alfredo and Violetta, as they sing excerpts from 'La Traviata in an elaborate costume musical production number. Although Melton and Bell both have fine singing voices, they were relatively unknowns and did not make many films. Had this film been made a few later, I am certain this sequence would have featured Mario Lanza and Kathryn Grayson.  Although Grayson appears in 'Ziegfeld Follies', Lanza had not yet become known.

Song: "Traviata" - James Melton & Marion Bell

"Pay the Two Dollars" - Victor Moore & Edward Arnold

After Victor Moore is fined $2, he wants his lawyer Edward Arnold to pay the two dollars, to prevent him going to jail. Below average comedy sketch has its funny moments, but overall is too long.

"This Heart of Mine: A Dance Story" - Fred Astaire & Lucille Bremer

Fred Astaire returns, this time paired with Lucille Bremer. Fred serenades Bremer, before leading her in an extravagant ballet sequence. The choreography features rotating floors, concealed treadmills and swirling dance motifs.

Song: "This Heart of Mine" - Fred Astaire & Lucille Bremer

"A Sweepstakes Ticket" - Fanny Brice, Hume Cronyn & William Frawley

Norma (Fanny Brice) will stop at nothing to get the
winning ticket back from Mr. Martin (William Frawley)

Hilarious comedy sketch where Norma (played by Brice) wins A Sweepstakes Ticket, however
her husband Monty (played by Cronyn) has given it to the landlord Mr. Martin (played by Frawley). In a desperate plight to get the winning ticket back,  Norma and Monty discover honesty is the best policy.
Fanny Brice is as hilarious as ever as Norma. For me, this is the non-musical highlight of the film.







Clip: "A Sweepstakes Ticket" - Fanny Brice, Hume Cronyn & William Frawley

Lena Horne sings

"Love" - Lena Horne

The beautiful Lena Horne appears and sings her rendition of the Hugh Martin-Ralph Blaine standard "Love".

Red Skelton shows us whats happens when
television comes

"When Television Comes" - Red Skelton

Rubber faced Red Skelton shows us what happens when television comes in a hilarious comic sketch.














Clip: "When Television Comes" - Red Skelton

"Limehouse Blues" - Fred Astaire & Lucille Bremer

Fred Astaire & Lucille Bremer are back with a dramatic pantomime called "Limehouse Blues".
Tai Long (played by Astaire), a Chinese labourer is infatuated with Moy Ling (played by Bremer).


Song: "Limehouse Blues" - Fred Astaire & Lucille Bremer

"A Great Lady Has an Interview" - Judy Garland

One of my favourite images of Judy Garland

One of two musical highlights from the film. Judy Garland plays a Great Lady, who is typecast in dramatic Oscar winning roles and just happens to have an interview. During the interview she reveals her desire to "sexy" roles, and her next film, a biography on Madame Cremantante, inventor of the safety pin.

This was written by Kay Thompson, originally for Greer Garson, who turned it down. The sequence was also originally meant to be directed by Charles Water, however Vincente Minnelli (who was dating Garland at the time), ended up directing it. Walters remained as choreographer.

This features one of my favourite images of Judy Garland, where she rubs her scarf under her chin and neck.

Song: "A Great Lady Has an Interview" - Judy Garland

"The Babbitt & the Bromide" - Fred Astaire & Gene Kelly

Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly's first and only appearance together in a film (until the documentary film 'That's Entertainment Part II' in 1976). The challenge dance routine was choreographed by both Kelly & Astaire - this is the other musical highlight in the film.

Song: "The Babbitt & the Bromide" - Fred Astaire & Gene Kelly

"Beauty" - Kathryn Grayson (with Cyd Charisse)

Kathryn Grayson sings "Beauty" in the finale

This was originally meant to be sung by tenor James Melton and filmed as a ballet with Fred Astaire, Lucille Bremer and Cyd Charisse dancing through a maze of soap bubbles. Due to a malfunction with the bubble machine, only a small amount of footage featuring Cyd Charisse was used in the final film. It was also decided to replace Melton with Kathryn Grayson.

Closing remarks

'Ziegfeld Follies' is an amazing and extravagant musical experience. When I think about the MGM musical, and why they were so popular and fantastic, the first thing that springs to mind is 'Ziegfeld Follies'.

The film embodies all the characteristics which made MGM musicals so unique...

• the signature MGM musical stars: Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire and Esther Williams
• directed by the great Vincente Minnelli
• the sparkling glamour of the lavish sets and costumes
• the images filmed in dazzling Technicolor
• the beautiful chorus girls

'Ziegfeld Follies' is among one of my favourite films, and recently inspired Kylie Minogue's 2011 tour 'Aphrodite: Les Follies', which features a number of references to this film.