Movie Listings by Genre

Director: Norman Taurog    More Info
Starring: Fred Astaire, Eleanor Powell, George Murphy, Frank Morgan, Ian Hunter, Florence Rice, Lynne Carver, Ann Morriss, Douglas McPhail

 Dance partners Kink Shaw (George Murphy) and Johnny Brett (Fred Astaire) vie for the love of the beautiful Claire Bennett (Eleanor Powell).

Director: Dorothy Arzner    More Info
Starring: Maureen O'Hara, Louis Hayward, Lucille Ball, Virginia Field, Ralph Bellamy, Maria Ouspenskaya, Mary Carlisle, Katharine Alexander, Edward Brophy, Walter Abel

 Judy O'Brien (Maureen O'Hara) arrives in New York City planning to gain fame as a ballerina. As luck would have it, she gets a job working as a stooge for strip-tease dancer Bubbles (Lucille Ball) who dances a ballet as a lead-in to her strip show. The two women encounter problems when they both fall for playboy Jimmy Harris (Louis Hayward), and physical fighting is used to determine who should have Jimmy. But that issue is settled after Jimmy's ex-wife (Virginia Field) decides to take him back.

Director: Irving Cummings    More Info
Starring: Don Ameche, Betty Grable, Carmen Miranda, Charlotte Greenwood, J. Carrol Naish, Henry Stephenson, Kay Aldridge, Leonid Kinskey, Chris-Pin Martin, Robert Conway

 American heiress Glenda (Betty Grable) visits Argentina where she hopes to find wealthy racehorse owner Ricardo Quintana (Don Ameche). She succeeds in reaching Ricardo, and they fall in love but must deal with their feuding families before living happily ever after. The film received three Academy Award nominations, including Best Original Song ("Down Argentine Way")

Director: Various Directors    More Info
Starring: Deems Taylor, Leopold Stokowski, Julietta Novis, Walt Disney

 This high point of Disney fare combines the music of such masters as Bach, Stravinsky, and Beethoven with cartoon action.

Director: David Butler    More Info
Starring: Bing Crosby, Gloria Jean, Charles Winninger, El Brendel, Allyn Joslyn, Claire Dodd, Donald Woods, Moroni Olsen, Nana Bryant, Brandon Hurst

 When a young girl is orphaned, her deceased father's friends come to her aid as Buzz Blackwell (Bing Crosby) takes Patricia (Gloria Jean) on a train trip to live with her great uncle (Charles Winninger).

Director: Herbert Wilcox    More Info
Starring: Anna Neagle, Ray Milland, Roland Young, Alan Marshal, May Robson, Billie Burke, Arthur Treacher, Marsha Hunt, Isabel Jewell, Ethel Griffies

 This is the film adaptation of a 1919 Broadway musical in which an Irish lass, Irene O'Dare (Anna Neagle) rises from poverty into the arms of Don Marshal (Ray Milland). The song "Alice Blue Gown" was introduced in this pretty good musical.

Director: Irving Cummings    More Info
Starring: Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Henry Fonda, Edward Arnold, Warren William, Leo Carrillo, Nigel Bruce, Helen Westley, Dorothy Peterson, Ernest Truex

 Alice Faye portrays 1890s' Broadway star Lillian Russell and sings such classics as "After the Ball" and "The Band Played On" in this musical presentation.

Director: Norman Taurog    More Info
Starring: Judy Garland, George Murphy, Charles Winninger, Douglas McPhail, Arthur Shields, Rita Page, Forrester Harvey, James Burke, George Watts, John Raitt

 Based on the George M. Cohan play, this film tells the story of a stubborn father (Charles Winninger) who refuses to accept the marriage of his son (George Murphy) and a family feud is the result –until young Nellie (Judy Garland) saves the day. Songs include "It's a Great Day for the Irish" and "Singin' in the Rain."

Director: Joseph Santley    More Info
Starring: Tony Martin, Rita Hayworth, Edith Fellows, Alan Mowbray, Eric Blore, George Tobias, Joseph Crehan, George Humbert, Joey Ray, Don Brodie

 Two NYC cabs collide, and the occupants–Broadway understudy Robert (Tony Martin) and about-to-be-married Patricia (Rita Hayworth)–meet and are attracted to each other. Problems develop involving both Patricia's millionaire fiance (Alan Mowbray) and the Department of Immigration, which is prepared to deport Robert. But, true love conquers all.

Director: A. Edward Sutherland    More Info
Starring: Allan Jones, Nancy Kelly, Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Robert Cummings, Mary Boland, William Frawley, Peggy Moran, Leo Carrillo, Don Alvarado

 This is Bud Abbott's and Lou Costello's movie debut. The story is about a romantic trio (Allan Jones, Nancy Kelly, and Robert Cummings), but the real stars shine on Abbott and Costello.

Director: Hamilton Luske    More Info
Starring: Dickie Jones, Christian Rub, Cliff Edwards, Evelyn Venable, Walter Catlett, Frankie Darro, Charles Judels, Don Brodie, Mel Blanc, Jack Mercer

 This is an early Disney masterpiece of animation. It tells the story of Pinocchio (voice of Dickie Jones), a wooden puppet crafted by Gepetto (voice of Christian Rub). Gipetto wishes that Pinocchio could be his real son, and the Blue Fairy (voice of Evelyn Venable) grants his wish. Jimminy Cricket (voice of Cliff Edwards) is appointed to be Pinocchio's "conscience." This proves a difficult task when Pinocchio lies, skips school, and heads to Pleasure Island. But, when Pinocchio learns that Gepetto has been swallowed by a whale, he risks his life and saves Gepetto–proving that he deserves to be Gepetto's son. "When You Wish Upon a Star" won an Academy Award for Best Song.

Director: Victor Schertzinger    More Info
Starring: Bing Crosby, Mary Martin, Basil Rathbone, Oscar Levant, John Scott Trotter, Charley Grapewin, William Frawley, Jeanne Cagney, Charles(2) Lane, Pierre Watkin

 Ghostwriters Bob (Bing Crosby) and Cherry (Mary Martin) have been in the employ of music composer Oliver Courtney (Basil Rathbone). They fall in love and start writing in their own names. Naturally, they come up with a hit, but the story of their efforts is entertaining.

Director: H.C. Potter    More Info
Starring: Fred Astaire, Paulette Goddard, Charles Butterworth, Burgess Meredith, Frank Melton, Jimmy Conlin, Artie Shaw, Don Brodie, Marjorie Kane, Joan Barclay

 Good music and dancing enhance this story about two musicians, Danny O'Neill and Hank Taylor (Fred Astaire and Burgess Meredith), who vie for the attentions of Ellen Miller (Paulette Goddard).

Director: Busby Berkeley    More Info
Starring: Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, June Preisser, Ann Shoemaker, William Tracy, George Lessey, Milton Kibbee, Helen Jerome Eddy, Virginia Brissac, Margaret Early

 This is not one of Busby Berkeley's better films, but a good Gershwin score helps. The plot involves high-school bandleader Jimmy Connors (Mickey Rooney) and his band's vocalist Mary Holden (Judy Garland) who enter the competition in Paul Whiteman's nationwide band contest.

Director: Walter Lang    More Info
Starring: Alice Faye, Betty Grable, Jack Oakie, John Payne, Allen Jenkins, Esther Ralston, Fred Keating, Billy Gilbert, Ben Carter, Elisha Cook Jr.

 During 1915, songwriters Harry Calhoun (Jack Oakie) and Skeets Harrigan (John Payne) find success when they team up with singing sisters Katie (Alice Faye) and Lily Blane (Betty Grable). Then a rift develops when a new tune is given to a more famous singer, and the sisters leave for England. But Harry and Skeets soon enlist in the army, are shipped overseas, and find Katie and Lily in England. Excellent Academy Award-winning musical score.

Director: George Abbott    More Info
Starring: Lucille Ball, Eddie Bracken, Richard Carlson, Desi Arnaz, Ann Miller, Frances Langford, Hal LeRoy, Iron Eyes Cody, Jay Silverheels, Van Johnson

 Connie (Lucille Ball) heads to Pottawatomie College, along with four (unknown to her) bodyguards sent by her father. The bodyguards are also excellent football players, who can help the very poor college team. Lots of songs by Rodgers and Hart and plenty of funny happenings. Film debuts for Desi Arnaz, Eddie Bracken, and Van Johnson. Desi and Lucy met for the first time during filming.

Director: Allan Dwan    More Info
Starring: Shirley Temple, Jack Oakie, Charlotte Greenwood, Arleen Whelan, George Montgomery, Kathleen Howard, Darryl Hickman, Minor Watson, Frank Swann, Frank Sully

 Wendy (Shirley Temple) is adopted by Joe and Kit (Jack Oakie and Charlotte Greenwood) who are members of a vaudeville team and are considering changing their profession. The family moves to a small town so that Wendy will receive a solid upbringing. But, the townsfolk do not like show business people and want Wendy and her family out of their lives–until a storm hits and Joe saves the lives of stranded children. The family is now welcome in the town and puts on a show that is loved by all.

Director: David Butler    More Info
Starring: Kay Kyser, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, Bela Lugosi, Helen Parrish, Dennis O'Keefe, Harry Babbitt, M.A. Bogue, Ginny Simms, Alma Kruger

 Wealthy heiress Janis Bellacrest (Helen Parrish) celebrates her birthday with Kay Kyser's band for the entertainment. The party takes a decided turn when three bizarre characters (Peter Lorre, Boris Karloff, and Bela Lugosi) show up to join in the festivities in the haunted house, which is the scene of the party.

Director: Busby Berkeley    More Info
Starring: Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Fay Bainter, Virginia Weidler, Ray McDonald, Richard Quine, Donald Meek, Luis Alberni, James Gleason, Margaret O'Brien

 Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland team up again for a lively musical with songs that include "How About You?" and "Hoe Down." This film marks the film debut of Margaret O'Brien.

Director: Victor Schertzinger    More Info
Starring: Bing Crosby, Mary Martin, Brian Donlevy, Carolyn Lee, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Jack Teagarden, J. Carrol Naish, Cecil Kellaway, Warren Hymer, Horace McMahon

 The music is great, but the story of New Orleans jazz is told from the white–not the African-American–perspective and loses its true meaning in the process.

Director: Anatole Litvak    More Info
Starring: Priscilla Lane, Betty Field, Richard Whorf, Lloyd Nolan, Jack Carson, Wallace Ford, Howard Da Silva, Elia Kazan, Billy Halop, Peter Whitney

 "Jigger" Pine (Richard Whorf) forms a jazz band, and the trumpeter Leo's (Jack Carson) wife Ginger "Character" Powell (Priscilla Lane) is their singer. They wait for that big break that doesn't come and spend their time riding the trains from one small gig to another. On one train ride they meet gangster Del Davis (Lloyd Nolan) who offers the band a job at his New Jersey roadhouse. They begin performing for Davis and employ sultry Kay (Betty Field) as their singer–and, too late, learn how mobster's moll Kay can tear the band apart.

Director: Otto Englander    More Info
Starring: Sterling Holloway, Edward Brophy, Cliff Edwards, Verna Felton, Herman Bing, John McLeish, Eddie Holden, Malcolm Hutton, Sarah Selby, Margaret Wright

 Dumbo is an elephant born with very large ears. Because of his physical deformity, he is teased by the other circus animals. Adversity is turned into a plus when Dumbo's mouse friend, Timothy, teaches him to use his ears to fly in this classic Disney children's animated film. The film won an Academy Award for Best Musical Score, and the song "Baby Mine" was nominated for Best Song.

Director: Norman Z. McLeod    More Info
Starring: Eleanor Powell, Ann Sothern, Robert Young, Lionel Barrymore, John Carroll, Red Skelton, Dan Dailey, Virginia O'Brien, Tom Conway, Reginald Owen

 Songwriters Dixie and Eddie (Ann Sothern and Robert Young) are in love with each other but have more than a few problems in their personal relationship. Despite their difficulties, they still manage to compose numbers for a new Broadway show–and, in the process, manage to reconcile their differences. Highlights are "Lady Be Good," "Fascinating Rhythm," and the Academy Award winner "The Last Time I Saw Paris."

Director: Jean Yarbrough    More Info
Starring: Frankie Darro, Marcia Mae Jones, Jackie Moran, Keye Luke, Mantan Moreland, Gale Storm, Frank Sully, Barton Yarborough, Frank Faylen, Marguerite Whitten

 After members of a collegiate crew team–Frankie (Frankie Darro) and Jeff (Mantan Moreland)–tell their girlfriends that they will win the big race, their star rower is drafted. But that doesn't stop Frankie and Jeff who get a truck driver, Herk Bevans (Frank Sully), to fill in. They win, but Herk turns out to be a criminal on the run, and more than a few problems await the boys.

Director: Irving Cummings    More Info
Starring: Bob Hope, Vera Zorina, Victor Moore, Irene Bordoni, Dona Drake, Max "Slapsie Maxie" Rosenbloom, Frank Albertson, Raymond Walburn, Donald MacBride, Andrew Tombes

 Both Irving Berlin's music and Senator Jim Taylor's (Bob Hope) outrageous filibuster in which he reads "Gone with the Wind" contribute to making this film an enjoyable escape from reality.