Presenting Lily Mars (1943)

Small-town Indiana girl Lily Mars dreams to be a stage actress. She begs visiting Broadway producer John Thornway for a role but he dismisses her as an amateur. She follows him to New York and worms her way into his show, and his heart.

Director:

Norman Taurog

Writers:

Booth Tarkington (novel), Richard Connell (screenplay)

Stars:

Judy Garland, Van Heflin, Fay Bainter

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Judy Garland	...	Lily Mars
Van Heflin	...	John Thornway
Fay Bainter	...	Mrs. Thornway
Richard Carlson	...	Owen Vail
Spring Byington	...	Mrs. Mars
Mártha Eggerth	...	Isobel Rekay (as Marta Eggerth)
Connie Gilchrist	...	Frankie
Leonid Kinskey	...	Leo
Patricia Barker	...	Poppy
Janet Chapman	...	Violet
Annie Ross	...	Rosie (as Annabelle Logan)
Douglas Croft	...	Davey
Ray McDonald	...	Charlie Potter
Tommy Dorsey	...	Tommy Dorsey
Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra	...	Tommy Dorsey Orchestra

Storyline

Talented small-town girl Lily Mars hounds producer John Thornway for a part in his new play, but he doesn't want anything to do with stage-struck amateurs. But when Lily follows him to New York, he gets to know her better and his opinion of her changes for the better. Then, when the leading lady of the play walks out, Lily gets her big break on Broadway.

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Plot Keywords:

reference to william shakespeare | manhattan new york city | times square manhattan new york city | empire state building manhattan new york city | male female relationship | 

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Taglines:

M-G-M's New Sparkling Musical Romance!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 March 1944 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

Lily Mars vedette

Filming Locations:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, 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

The MGM studio executives decided to re-film the finale after a preview showing had many negative comments. In March 1943, Roy Del Ruth directed the re-shoot, which dropped many songs from the original finale, and added others: "Paging Mr. Greenback" (1943) Music by Sammy Fain Lyrics by E.Y. Harburg;"St. Louis Blues" (1914) Music and Lyrics by W.C. Handy; "It's a Long Way to Tipperary" (1912) Music and Lyrics by Jack Judge and Harry Williams;"In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" (1905) Music by Egbert Van Alstyne Lyrics by Harry Williams;"Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" (1942) Music and Lyrics by Charles Tobias, Lew Brown & Sam H. Stept. Several actors in the original finale had parts which were cut from the film, including Six Hits and a Miss, Judy Carol (Singer in the "St. Louis Blues" number), Gerald Pierce, William Stahl and Cooper Norris. ("Sweethearts of America" Music by Burton Lane Lyrics by Ralph Freed is supposedly in the movie but not heard)

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Quotes

Mrs. Thornway: John, he died several years ago. He left a wife and five children. Nobody knows how they manage, but they do. Everybody in Midhaven worries about the Marses... except the Marses.

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Crazy Credits

Under the single "The End" title, Davey Mars is seen to steal one more doorknob for his collection.

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Connections

Spoofs One Hundred Men and a Girl (1937)

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Soundtracks

Three O'Clock in the Morning
(1921) (uncredited)
Music by Julián Robledo
Lyrics by Dolly Morse
Sung and Danced by Judy Garland, Charles Walters and chorus in the finale

User Reviews

Delightfully Entertaining MGM Factory Musical

Presenting Lily Mars is one of a genre of film that sadly seems to have disappeared with the studio system. Ok now that you know my bias, here are some reasons I think this movie does stand out.

1. Although the basic plot - Lily Mars (Judy Garland) goes to New York, becomes a star, and wins the heart of her director (Van Heflin) is a pretty stock Hollywood story of the period, the writers do vary the theme her a bit more than usual. Although Lily gets her big break when the star quits, she isn't successful and has to swallow her pride and go back to playing a minor role in the show.

2. Judy Garland (enough said!)

3. The supporting cast includes some really great performances. Spring Byington as Lily's mother is truely wonderful, as is Fay Bainter (the mother of the director - John Thornway (Van Heflin)). The standout supporting performance though goes to character actress Connie Gilchrist as Frankie, a one time actress turned theater custodian.

Worth a watch for sure. One of those movies that are designed to make you feel better about the world and your dreams.