The Shocking Miss Pilgrim (1947)

In the late 1800s, Miss Pilgrim, a young stenographer, or typewriter, becomes the first female employee at a Boston shipping office. Although the men object to her at first, she soon charms... See full summary »

Directors:

George Seaton, Edmund Goulding (uncredited)

Writers:

George Seaton (written for the screen by), Ernest Maas (from a story by)

Stars:

Betty Grable, Dick Haymes, Anne Revere

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Betty Grable	...	Cynthia Pilgrim
Dick Haymes	...	John Pritchard
Anne Revere	...	Alice Pritchard
Allyn Joslyn	...	Leander Woolsey
Gene Lockhart	...	Saxon
Elizabeth Patterson	...	Catherine Dennison
Elisabeth Risdon	...	Mrs. Prichard
Arthur Shields	...	Michael
Charles Kemper	...	Herbert Jothan
Roy Roberts	...	Mr. Foster
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Margaret Bannerman	...	(scenes deleted)
Susan Blanchard	...	(scenes deleted)
Nina Gilbert	...	Cynthia's Mother (scenes deleted)
Coleen Gray	...	Minor Role (scenes deleted)
Robert Malcolm	...	Cynthia's Father (scenes deleted)

Storyline

In the late 1800s, Miss Pilgrim, a young stenographer, or typewriter, becomes the first female employee at a Boston shipping office. Although the men object to her at first, she soon charms them all, especially the handsome young head of the company. Their romance gets sidetracked when she becomes involved in the Women's Suffrage movement.

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Plot Keywords:

suffrage | boss | song | male female relationship | baltimore maryland | 

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Taglines:

Shameless? Blameless? Nameless? (original poster)

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 January 1947 (USA)

Also Known As:

Sua Alteza, a Secretária

Filming Locations:

20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,595,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$2,734,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Decca recorded three songs from the Ira Gershwin score, substituting Judy Garland for Betty Grable: two duets by Garland and Dick Haymes, "For You, For Me, For Evermore" (lacking the verse Haymes crooned in the film) and "Aren't You Kinda Glad We Did?" (with a couple of different phrases from the movie rendition), along with a Garland solo, "Changing My Tune."

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Quotes

John Pritchard: Miss Pilgrim, there's something I've been meaning to say to you.
Cynthia Pilgrim: Yes, Mr. Pritchard?
John Pritchard: As I was standing over there just now, I, uh, I was reviewing your... work here in the office, and I've come to the conclusion that I can see no reason why your employment shouldn't be continued on a permanent basis.
Cynthia Pilgrim: Oh, Mr. Pritchard, I can't tell you how... Not only am I happy for myself, but just think, in only three days, I've succeeded in changing your viewpoint toward women working in offices.
John Pritchard: I'm afraid ...
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Nowhere Boy (2009)

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Soundtracks

Sweet Packard
(reprise) (uncredited)
Music by George Gershwin
Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
Performed by ensemble

User Reviews

intriguing for many reasons

This is a film intriguing for many reasons. It has an uneasy postwar relationship with women in the workplace. It stars Bety Grable in an uncharacteristic role, and reveals Dick Haymes to be possessed of such a rich voice that he really missed the career boat as a vocalist. There is also a fascinating uncredited early appearance by Marilyn Monroe, and a star-studded list of contributors, including choreographer Hermes Pan. But what makes this film especially notable is the Gershwin music. Kay Swift's work with Ira Gershwin, from notebooks and unfinished sketches for various projects left by George Gershwin at his death in 1937, produced a complete posthumous score, the first for a motion picture.