Tag Archives: Victor Mature

Musical Monday: Red, Hot and Blue (1949)

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It’s no secret that the Hollywood Comet loves musicals.
In 2010, I revealed I had seen 400 movie musicals over the course of eight years. Now that number is over 600. To celebrate and share this musical love, here is my weekly feature about musicals.

This week’s musical:
Red, Hot and Blue (1949) – Musical #362

Studio: Paramount Studios

Director: John Farrow

Starring:
Betty Hutton, Victor Mature, William Demarest, June Havoc, Jane Nigh, Frank Loesser, William Talman, Raymond Walburn, Onslow Stevens, Art Smith, Barry Kelley, Julie Adams (uncredited), Noel Neill (uncredited)

Plot:
Eleanor Collier (Hutton) lives in New York City and is desperate to become an actress. She will do anything to be discovered and for publicity from going to dinner with rich men to modeling to going by the name “Yum Yum.” Eleanor clashes with her boyfriend Danny (Mature), who disapproves of her career gaining methods because he wants to direct serious plays. While trying to get ahead, Eleanor goes on a date with gangster Bunny Harris (Talman), believing he is producing a show when he gets shot. Gangsters kidnap her believing she witness the shooting.

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Musical Monday: Song of the Islands (1942)

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It’s no secret that the Hollywood Comet loves musicals.
In 2010, I revealed I had seen 400 movie musicals over the course of eight years. Now that number is over 500. To celebrate and share this musical love, here is my weekly feature about musicals.

islandsdThis week’s musical:
“Song of the Islands” (1942)– Musical #393

Studio:
20th Century Fox

Director:
Walter Lang

Starring:
Betty Grable, Victor Mature, Thomas Mitchell, Jack Oakie, Billy Gilbert, George Barbier, Hilo Hattie, Harry Owens and His Royal Hawaiians

Plot:
Eileen O’Brien (Grable) returns to her beachcombing father’s (Mitchell) home in Hawaii after going to school in the states. At the same time, Jeff Harper (Mature) shows up on the island with his buddy Rusty (Oakie) on the island to help transport his father’s (Barbier) cattle. Jeff and his father want Dennis O’Brien’s (Mitchell) land to build a pier to help transport the cattle. The cattle business gets in the way of the budding romance of Jeff and Eileen.

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Musical Monday: “Seven Days’ Leave” (1942)

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t’s no secret that the Hollywood Comet loves musicals.
In 2010, I revealed I had seen 400 movie musicals over the course of eight years. Now that number is over 500. To celebrate and share this musical love, here is my weekly feature about musicals.

seven-days-leave-movie-poster-1942-1020701154This week’s musical:
“Seven Days’ Leave (1942) — Musical #475

Studio:
RKO

Director:
Tim Whelan

Starring:
Victor Mature, Lucille Ball,

Plot:
Army Private Johnny Grey (Mature) discovers he is an heir of $100,000. However, he has to marry another heiress (Ball) in seven days in order to receive the money.

Trivia:
-Ball and Mature didn’t enjoy making this film. Ball had just completed “Big Street” and wanted to be taken more seriously in film. Ball was also unhappy because her husband Desi Arnaz was away fundraising for the war relief, according to The Films of Victor Mature by James McKay
-Mature was having an affair with Rita Hayworth and wanted her to be the leading lady rather than Ball. Mature’s attitude about it didn’t help his and Ball’s relationship, according to The Films of Victor Mature by James McKay.
-Several NBC radio shows are featured such as Truth or Consequence
-Remake of the 1930 Gary Cooper film, “Seven Days Leave,” according to 1000 Questions About Canada By John Robert Colombo.

lucyHighlights:
-Victor Mature dancing and singing (but dubbed).
-Impressions of Lionel Barrymore and Ronald Colman by one of the soldiers. Though they aren’t terrific, I always enjoy hearing impressions of celebrities.
-The comedic ballroom dancing routine with Lynn Royce and Vanya. It starts out with a male and female dance number. Then a second man comes in for comedic relief, mostly at the lady’s expense.

Notable Songs:
-“Please Won’t You Leave My Girl Alone” sung by Victor Mature and a group of soldiers at the very beginning and the very end of the film. It’s not a good tune, but it’s the most memorable and catchy.
-“Can’t Get Out of This Mood” sung by Ginny Simms with the Freddy Martin Orchestra. This is the best song sung in the whole film. Moody and musically lovely.

My Review:
Neither of the stars were pleased to be in this film and I can’t blame them. The plot of having to marry someone in order to get money isn’t a new one. Romantic mix-ups should be expected. Though I wouldn’t say this movie was horrible, I also wouldn’t go out of my way to watch it multiple times.

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