This is a colorful musical to a wonderful Irving Berlin score about the vaudevillian Donahue Family. Released the same year as another Irving Berlin classic, White Christmas, Mom and Pop Donahue are played by Ethel Merman and Dan Daily...and their three kids are played by Donald O'Connor, Mitzi Gaynor and Johnnie Ray.
"It's just that, oh! We love you so much that we intend to make a man out of you, even if we have to murder you first."- Mrs. Donahue
There are some fun musical numbers including a great vaudeville one involving an engine and a caboose, but what really made this film for me besides the music (Heatwave) was the gorgeous costumes! I do not know who the costumers were but my hat is off to the seamstresses who made this film so visually stunning. Besides the vivid colors the style, shape and fit of the clothing not only flattered...but really showed off the star's assets, which is important when one of them is the stunning Marilyn Monroe.
It's rumored Marilyn didn't want to do this musical and did it primarily so she could be the star of The Seven Year Itch, but whatever the reason she was perfect in the role of Vicky Parker, the performer who broke up the family act.
You just don't hear lyricist use words like "supine" anymore! Check out the song "Lazy".
Come for the big names, stay for the music and costumes...this is a family drama that spans the time between the two great wars in show business.
"This show is my big chance. It's make or break."-Vicky Parker.
"It's just that, oh! We love you so much that we intend to make a man out of you, even if we have to murder you first."- Mrs. Donahue
There are some fun musical numbers including a great vaudeville one involving an engine and a caboose, but what really made this film for me besides the music (Heatwave) was the gorgeous costumes! I do not know who the costumers were but my hat is off to the seamstresses who made this film so visually stunning. Besides the vivid colors the style, shape and fit of the clothing not only flattered...but really showed off the star's assets, which is important when one of them is the stunning Marilyn Monroe.
It's rumored Marilyn didn't want to do this musical and did it primarily so she could be the star of The Seven Year Itch, but whatever the reason she was perfect in the role of Vicky Parker, the performer who broke up the family act.
You just don't hear lyricist use words like "supine" anymore! Check out the song "Lazy".
Come for the big names, stay for the music and costumes...this is a family drama that spans the time between the two great wars in show business.
"This show is my big chance. It's make or break."-Vicky Parker.