Doll Face (1945)

Director:

Lewis Seiler

Writers:

Harold Buchman (adaptation)
Gypsy Rose Lee (play)

Release Date:

31 December 1945 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Plot:

Burlesque star (Blaine) makes it in the big time.

Plot Keywords:

Burlesque | Ghost Writer | Audition | Broadway | Book

Cast

Vivian Blaine	...	Mary Elizabeth 'Doll Face' Carroll
Dennis O'Keefe	...	Michael Francis 'Mike' Hannegan
Perry Como	...	Nicky Ricci
Carmen Miranda	...	Chita Chula
Martha Stewart	...	Frankie Porter
Stephen Dunne	...	Frederick Manly Gerard (as Michael Dunne)
Reed Hadley	...	Flo Hartman
Stanley Prager	...	Flo's Aide
Charles Tannen	...	Flo's Aide
George E. Stone	...	Stage Manager
Frank Orth	...	Peters
Donald MacBride	...	Lawyer Ferguson (as Donald McBride)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bando da Lua	...	Themselves, Carmen Miranda's Orchestra

Also Known As:

Come Back to Me (UK)
Here's a Kiss (USA) (working title)
The Naked Genius (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

80 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

Canada:G (Ontario) | Finland:S

Company:

Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation

Trivia:

The hit swing-novelty number from the Jimmy McHugh-Harold Adamson score, the wisecracking, very Forties "Dig You Later (A Hubba-Hubba-Hubba)," was performed in the film as a duet by Perry Como and Martha Stewart. Mr. Como's best-selling single on the Victor label would supplant Miss Stewart with a vocal quartet, The Satisfiers, whose lead singer was Helen Carroll. Curiously, Martha Stewart was recording for RCA Victor at the time.

Quotes:

'Doll Face' Carroll: Do you mean to stand there and tell me I ain't got class? Why, in Duluth, I was billed as the... You tell 'em, Mike.
Michael Francis 'Mike' Hannegan: The Classy Chassis from Tallahassee. 'Cept she's from Brooklyn, but that don't rhyme with nothin'.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hidden Hollywood II: More Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Vaults (1997) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Chico Chico

Culture

A beautiful songstress is rejected out of an audition because she is not considered to be 'cultured' enough to make it on the Broadway stage. Doll Face Carroll is the woman rejected and Mike Hannegan, the man that is in love with her, wants to show the theater world she is worth the attention. For that, Mike contacts a ghost writer that will prepare the right resume for the gorgeous woman he loves. Nothing prepared Hannegan for the results. A grateful Doll Face will make everything possible to give him the recognition he deserves.

This 20th Century Fox feature of 1946 gives us a dose of nostalgia. Based on a Gypsy Rose Lee play, and directed by Lewis Seiler, the film is mildly amusing. The musical numbers are well executed, especially the hit song, "Somebody's Walking in my Dream". All the songs were composed by the team of Harold Adamson and Jimmy McHugh.

Vivian Blaine appears in the title role. Dennis O'Keefe is Mike Hannegan. In addition we see the irrepressible Carmen Miranda doing "Chico Chico" with a big production number. Perry Como and Martha Stewart are in hand to do some songs. Stephen Dunne has a good opportunity.

"Doll Face" although not a great film, has some enjoyable songs and is entertaining.