Footlight Serenade
Footlight Serenade is a 1942 musical comedy film directed by Gregory Ratoff, starring Betty Grable, John Payne, and Victor Mature.[2]
| Footlight Serenade | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Gregory Ratoff |
| Produced by | William LeBaron |
| Written by | Kenneth Earl (story) Robert Ellis (writer) |
| Starring | John Payne Betty Grable Victor Mature Jane Wyman |
| Music by | Charles Henderson |
| Cinematography | Lee Garmes |
| Edited by | Robert L. Simpson |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
Release date |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $1.4 million (US rentals)[1] |
Plot
Tommy Lundy is an arrogant champion boxer who is hired by Broadway promoter Bruce McKay to star in a stage act, which will include singing, dancing, a comedian called Slap and a boxing exhibition. Tommy makes sure his girlfriend, singer Estelle Evans, gets the female lead in the role, but he falls in love with dancer Pat Lambert, who becomes Estelle's understudy.
Pat is engaged to Bill Smith, who ends up with a small part in the show. They get married but keep it a secret so as not to irk Tommy and cause him to quit the show. Estelle because jealous of Tommy's attentions to her and tips him off that Pat and Bill were seen checking into a hotel.
During the boxing portion of the stage act, Tommy begins punching Bill for real. In between blows, Bill explains that he and Pat are now husband and wife. Tommy accepts this graciously, then he and Bill both take turns smacking Slap instead.[3]
Cast
- John Payne as William J. 'Bill' Smith
- Betty Grable as Pat Lambert
- Victor Mature as Tommy Lundy
- Jane Wyman as Flo La Verne
- James Gleason as Bruce McKay
- Phil Silvers as Slap
- Cobina Wright Jr. as Estelle Evans
- June Lang as June
- Frank Orth as Mike the stage doorman
- Mantan Moreland as Amos. Tommy's Dresser (as Manton Moreland)
- Irving Bacon as Stagehand
- Charles Tannen as Charlie, Stage manager
- George Dobbs as Frank, Dance director
- Ray Walker as Reporter
- Lillian Yarbo as Estelle's Maid (uncredited)
Soundtrack
- Except with You (uncredited). Music by Ralph Rainger. Lyrics by Leo Robin. Sung by Cobina Wright
- Are You Kiddin'? (uncredited). Music by Ralph Rainger. Lyrics by Leo Robin. Sung and danced by Betty Grable
- I'm Still Crazy for You (uncredited). Music by Ralph Rainger. Lyrics by Leo Robin. Sung by Betty Grable and John Payne
- Land on Your Feet (uncredited). Music by Ralph Rainger (instrumental only). Danced by Betty Grable and Hermes Pan
- I Heard the Birdies Sing (uncredited). Music by Ralph Rainger. Lyrics by Leo Robin. Sung and danced by Betty Grable and chorus
- I'll Be Marching to a Love Song (uncredited). Music by Ralph Rainger. Lyrics by Leo Robin. Sung and danced by Betty Grable, Victor Mature, John Payne, chorus
- Living High (uncredited). Music by Ralph Rainger
References
- "101 Pix Gross in Millions" Variety 6 Jan 1943 p 58
- "Footlight Serenade". AFI. afi.com. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
- "Footlight Serenade - Cast, Reviews, Summary, and Awards". AllMovie. Retrieved 2012-02-16.