Movie Review: Young at Heart (1954)

Hello, everyone!

Can I tell you how many times I have heard Frank Sinatra sing? No, but it is a lot. How many movies of his have I seen? Well, not many, and in those few he didn't really sing! I've heard song "Young at Heart" so many times, so for a special occasion (I go into details later in this post) I decided to finally watch the film behind it.

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning. This is spoiler free!


Young at Heart (1954):

Based on: This is a remake of the movie Four Daughters (1938).
"Look, I know they write about it and sing it in songs but don't tell me you buy it!"
The Tuttle girls are three musical sisters who live with their father and aunt. When the son of one of their father's friends comes to board with them, all of the girls are quite taken with him. He is working on writing songs and after a few months gets a friend of his work in town. That man, Barney, who falls in love, too. The girls start to find each of themselves in a tangle of emotions, and realize that they might care for different people than they originally thought.
"You know, sometines when you're the outside looking in you see a lot others can't."

Genre: Drama.
Length: approx. 115 minutes.
Costumes: 8, everything is fine. It's neat to see vintage outfits that were Doris Day's signature style!
Script: 10, no bad words!

'"When are you going to stop eating?"

"I'm hungry!"' (<---My life.)

Crew:
Directed by: Gordon Douglas.
Written by: Julius J. Epstein, Lenore Coffee, Liam O'Brien, & Fannie Hurst.

Starring:
Doris Day as Laurie Tuttle.

Frank Sinatra as Barney Sloan.
Gig Young as Alex Burke.
Ethel Barrymore as Aunt Jessie Tuttle.
Elisabeth Fraser as Amy Tuttle.
Dorothy Malone as Fran Tuttle.

Robert Keith as Gregory Tuttle.

Lonny Chapman as Ernie Nichols.
Alan Hale Jr. as Bob Neary.
Cinematography: 7, nothing spectacular.
Cinematography by: Ted McCord.
Music: 8, there are lots of songs in here and they are all a lot of fun!

Music by: Ray Heindorf.
Quotes: 8, there were quite a few lines that made me laugh and I can see myself repeating.
''You know you're a parasite. Do you know what a parasite is?"

"What?"

"Somone who doesn't do their share of pushing revolving doors."

"I pushed."'

Content: 8, there are one or two suggestive comments, and then a lot of smoking. I know that doesn't bother a lot of people, but it bothers me.
Originality: 8, it was a cute story!
Good For: Doris Day fans, Frank Sinatra fans, siblings.
Age Range: This would be perfectly acceptable for all ages!

Overall Score: 8!

Now, you are probably wondering why I chose to watch this movie at this time (besides being stuck in my house for a few weeks now). Michaela at Love Letters to Old Hollywood is hosting her Fourth Doris Day Blogathon! It is bittersweet this year because it is the first time that Doris Day hasn't been with us as she passed away last May. Still, lots of bloggers are honoring her memory and you should check out their posts HERE.

I have only seen Doris Day in a few other things, and while I'm sure The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) will always be my favorite (James Stewart and her together are so wonderful!!), it is always a delight to watch her. The pairing of her and Frank Sinatra was fantastic! As soon as we met Barney I "shipped" them.

The other actors where great as well! Ethel Barrymore played her part perfectly. I liked the relationships between the sisters and Ernie. There were a few things I would have changed, but I am very glad that I saw this.


Thank you so much to Michaela for hosting this event! And, a huge thanks to all of you for reading! Stay safe in these crazy times!

MovieCritic

Movie Review: That Midnight Kiss (1949)

Buongiorno!

"Why, if it isn't Ethel Barrymore!"
It actually is!

That quote is from the movie Singin' in the Rain (1952) (aka my favorite movie of all time), and I've used it a few times here, and I always say "Actually, Drew Barrymore", but today I am finally reviewing a movie with Ethel herself!

My guarantee: On ALL of my reviews there are NO spoilers unless I give you warning.

That Midnight Kiss (1949):

Prudence loves to sing and after five years of training, her grandmother supports her to get her into an opera. She gets to sing with a very famous performer, but he is very disagreeable. She meets Johnny, a delivery man, who is energetic and also a very talented singer. She wants to get him to be in the show, and they are really fond of each other, but things keep happening that draw them apart. Will they ever both sing on stage?

Genre: Musical, Romance.

Length: approx. 96 minutes.

Costumes: 9, there are some really pretty ones, especially for the opera pieces.

Costumes by: Helen Rose.

Script: 10, no bad words!

Crew:

Directed by: Norman Taurog.

Written by: Bruce Manning & Tamara Hovey.

Starring:
Kathryn Grayson as Prudence Budell.

Mario Lanza as Johnny Donnetti.
Ethel Barrymore as Abigail Trent Budell.

José Iturbi as Himself.
Keenan Wynn as Artie Glenson.
J. Carrol Naish as Papa Donnetti.
Jules Munshin as Michael Pemberton.
Thomas Gomez as Guido Russino Betelli.
Marjorie Reynolds as Mary.

Arthur Treacher as Hutchins.
Mimi Aguglia as Mamma Donnetti.
Amparo Iturbi as Himself.
Bridget Carr as Donna Donnetti.
Amparo Ballester as Rosina Donnetti.

Cinematography: 8, The colors are nice and there are some cool angles.

Cinematography by: Robert L. Surtees.

Music: 10! I can't sing to save my life, but all of these people were AMAZING! Opera, no less! The music was definitely my favorite part!

Music by: Charles Previn & Conrad Salinger.

Quotes: 8.

Notes: At one time they drive past a movie theater and it says that In the Good Old Summertime starring Judy Garland and Van Johnson is playing. Fun, right?

Storyline: 8, There is some smoking, and kissing, but if you are watching a movie called That Midnight Kiss, what do you expect?

Good For: Opera lovers, romance lovers.

Age Range: It is perfectly clean, so any age would be fine with watching it, but depending on the person they might be bored if they don't like opera.

Overall Score: 8.

Bonus thoughts:
As I said before, the music was fantastic! It was a little "mushy" for me personally (Romance isn't my favorite genre), but it was cute! Other favorite parts were the comic relief by Keenan Wyn and Jules Munshin.

Why am I reviewing this today? Why, it is The Fifth Annual Barrymore Trilogy Blogathon, hosted by In The Good Old Days of Classic Hollywood, and Pale Writer!

As I mentioned, the last two years I have featured Drew Barrymore, so it was fun to actually participate with one of the Trio! I really liked to seeing Ethel as Prudence's grandmother, Abigail Trent Budell, who is a little stern, but very loving.

Thanks to Crystal and Gabriela for hosting this! And thank you for reading!!

MovieCritic