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

Movie Review: For Me and My Gal (1942)

Hello, movie lovers!

Gene Kelly is one of my favorite old time actors, and today I am going to be reviewing the first movie that he was ever in! He and Judy Garland are playing two stage performers trying to make it to the "big stage". It is the movie For Me and My Gal (1942)! But don't get this confused with the 1932 movie Me and My Gal starring Spencer Tracy. These are two different films!

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

For Me and My Gal (1942):

Based on: a true story about vaudeville actors Harry Palmer and Jo Hayden.
Two acts get together, trying to make it to Palace Theatre, the top spot in New York. Through different circumstances they find themselves growing to love each other. War strikes and they have to fight being selfish and decide what is right and how to help in the great struggles. But is it too late?

Genre: Musical, Drama.

Length: approx. 104 minutes.

Costumes: 8.

Script: 10, no bad words!

Crew:

Directed by: Busby Berkeley.

Written by: Richard Sherman, Fred F. Finklehoffe, Sid Silvers, & Howard Emmett Rogers.

Starring:
Judy Garland as Jo Hayden.

Gene Kelly as Harry Palmer.

George Murphy as Jimmy K. Metcalf.

Martha Eggerth as Eve Minard.
Stephen McNally as Mr. Waring.
Ben Blue as Sid Simms.
Richard Quine as Danny Hayden.
Keenan Wynn as Eddie Milton.
Lucille Norman as Lily Duncan.

Cinematography: 9.

Cinematography by: William H. Daniels.

Music: 10, I love seeing Gene Kelly and Judy Garland sing together! They are so sweet. My favorite is probably "For Me and My Gal". Makes sense, right?

Music by: Roger Edens.

Quotes: 9. "You only live once, you know."

Notes: This movie was made during World War II, but it was actually set in World War I.

Storyline: 7, there is smoking, some drinking, death, and a little bit of war violence. It is really well done!

Good For: Musical fans.

Age Range: I have always loved musicals, so I think most kids would love this, too!

Overall Score: 8.5!

I have reviewed this for Pure Entertainment Preservation Society's Favorite Code Film Blogathon, which is part of #CleanMovieMonth85! It is two days late, because this summer has been super busy for me, but Tiffany said that it would be fine if I was a little late.

My thoughts:
When PEPS announced this blogathon, I immediately knew that I wanted to review this film. I first saw this last August and I loved it. I had recently learned about the Motion Picture Production Code (1934-1954), and I noticed some things in here that were handled really well, which probably wouldn't have been if it was made in any other time.
Gene Kelly is one of my favorite actors (he is in my favorite movie of all time, Singin' in the Rain [1952]), so I was really excited to see his first movie. He plays the character Harry Palmer so well. In this there are times when he is a con and you don't like him, but other times he is so sweet you can't help loving him. He fights in battles that we have all experienced: selfishness and fear. No one wants to go to war when their whole life is a head of them, but with Jo's help, Harry fights against his faults and tries to do good.
This movie was actually one of my favorites that I saw in 2018!

Thank you so much to the Brannans, who run PEPS, for hosting this! Check out all of the other entries HERE. Also check out their website to learn more about the Code!

Thanks for reading! Have you seen this?

MovieCritic