It Happened in Brooklyn (1947)

Danny has been in the army for 4 years, yet all he thinks about is Brooklyn and how great it is. When he returns after the war, he soon finds that Brooklyn is not so nice after all. He is ... See full summary »

Director:

Richard Whorf

Writers:

Isobel Lennart, Jack McGowan (story)

Stars:

Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, Peter Lawford

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Frank Sinatra	...	Danny Webson Miller
Kathryn Grayson	...	Anne Fielding
Peter Lawford	...	Jamie Shellgrove
Jimmy Durante	...	Nick Lombardi
Gloria Grahame	...	Nurse
Marcy McGuire	...	Rae Jakobi
Aubrey Mather	...	Digby John
Tamara Shayne	...	Mrs. Kardos
Bobby Long	...	Johnny O'Brien
William Haade	...	Police Sergeant
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
William Roy	...	Leo Kardos (as Billy Roy)

Storyline

Danny has been in the army for 4 years, yet all he thinks about is Brooklyn and how great it is. When he returns after the war, he soon finds that Brooklyn is not so nice after all. He is able to share a place with Nick, the janitor of his old High School, and get a job as a singer in a music store. He also meets Leo, a talented pianist and his teacher Anne, whose dream is to singing Opera. When Jamie arrives from England, Danny tries to show him the Brooklyn experience and help him compose modern swing music. Together, these four also try to help Leo get the Brooklyn Music scholarship.

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Plot Keywords:

brooklyn bridge | brooklyn new york city | place name in title | new york city | musical number

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Taglines:

Happy songs! Happy stars! Happy romance!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 April 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

Accadde a Brooklyn

Filming Locations:

Brooklyn Bridge, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In this film, Frank Sinatra introduced the now standard "Time After Time", which charted at #17 in 1947. It was later re recorded, by Frank, in 1959 as the B side to "French Foreign Legion". In 1960, Frankie Ford's rendition of the song charted at #75 US. Interestingly, that version fared much better than all, in Brooklyn, reaching NYC's Top 10. In 1966, Chris Montez' version peaked at #36 US.

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Goofs

When Peter Lawford sits next to Kathryn Grayson, his left forearm is practically touching her right shoulder on top of the sofa. A moment later, his arm is about 12 inches away from her.

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Quotes

Nick Lombardi: A girl is what you should get first. Then if you don't get anything else, you've still got her.

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Connections

References Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1939)

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Soundtracks

"La ci darem la mano"
(uncredited)
from "Don Giovanni"
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Libretto by Lorenzo da Ponte
Sung by Kathryn Grayson and Frank Sinatra

User Reviews

It Happened in Brooklyn-Only in My Borough ***1/2

Wonderful film with a stellar cast.

Frank Sinatra and Peter Lawford shine as two quiet buddies who return to Brooklyn after World War 11 service in England. Actually, it's a first trip to Brooklyn.

The film is so endearing due to its themes of clinging to your aspirations. Sinatra finds Kathryn Grayson and falls in love, but when she introduces Lawford to him, you know the rest.

Jimmy Durante plays a rather subdued custodian in a school where Grayson teaches music. She is down as she wants an operatic career.

The film is lifting when she and the 3 guys all join forces to make sure that a poorly financed student, who is brilliant at the piano, can continue his musical education after college. In Hollywood tradition, they succeed. Tamara Shayne shows her usual earthy appealing as the boy's mother.

Sinatra belts out Time After Time and Grayson's operatic scene is memorable.

This film is definitely heartwarming and a joy to watch.