Three Little Words (1950)

The story of the successful Tin Pan Alley songwriting team of Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby is told loosely and lightheartedly.

Director:

Richard Thorpe

Writer:

George Wells (screenplay)

Stars:

Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen, Red Skelton

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Fred Astaire	...	Bert Kalmar
Red Skelton	...	Harry Ruby
Vera-Ellen	...	Jessie Brown Kalmar
Arlene Dahl	...	Eileen Percy
Keenan Wynn	...	Charlie Kope
Gale Robbins	...	Terry Lordel
Gloria DeHaven	...	Mrs. Carter De Haven (as Gloria De Haven)
Phil Regan	...	Phil Regan
Harry Shannon	...	Clanahan
Debbie Reynolds	...	Helen Kane
Paul Harvey	...	Al Masters
Carleton Carpenter	...	Dan Healy
George Metkovich	...	Al Schacht
Harry Mendoza	...	The Great Mendoza (as The Great Mendoza)

Storyline

Song-and-dance man Bert Kalmar can't continue his stage career after an injury for a while, so he has to earn his money as a lyricist. Perchance he meets composer Harry Ruby and their first song is a hit. Ruby gets Kalmar to marry is former partner Jessie Brown, and Kalmar and Jessie prevent Ruby from getting married to the wrong girls. But due to the fact that Ruby has caused a backer's withdrawal for a Kalmar play, they end their relation.

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Plot Keywords:

dancing | tap dancing | team | songwriting | lyricist | 

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Genres:

Biography | Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Passed

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 July 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

Drei kleine Worte

Box Office

Budget:

$1,470,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$2,800,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Near the end of the film, which is set in Southern California, Red Skelton as Harry Ruby says he's going to Wrigley Field to watch a doubleheader. He's referring to the original Wrigley Filed which was in Los Angeles. (In that time period, present-day Wrigley Field in Chicago was called Cubs Park.)

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Goofs

When Astaire, Wynn, and Skelton are talking about the play never being produced, there are several pictures of M.G.M. stars on the wall. First, from left to right, is Judy Garland, then Spencer Tracy, then Katharine Hepburn, and another I could not identify. The time period in the movie was at that point during the mid 1930s, but those photos were all from the late 1940s.

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Quotes

Eileen Percy: [singing] I love you so much, I can't conceal it, / I love you so much, it's a wonder you don't feel it.

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Connections

Featured in That's Entertainment, Part II (1976)

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Soundtracks

I Wanna Be Loved by You
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar, Herbert Stothart
Sung by Debbie Reynolds (dubbed by Helen Kane)

User Reviews

Fun and Lively

You have to love a movie with dance and song! I had never heard of this movie but received it as a Christmas gift by a good friend who knew my love for old movies of this genre. I also love movies about real people and historical things. This movie is based on the lives of two song people from the early 1900's. Lot's of good music to listen to and great dance to watch, with a nice plot line. The movie featured an all star cast including Fred Astaire and Red Skeleton. I only knew Red as a comedian so it was fun to see him take on the role of a somewhat serious nature. Vera Ellen was quite glamorous and was fun to watch in the dance numbers. Hairdo's, clothing, sets all very interesting to see, a glimpse from the past.. Very enjoyable way to spend an evening.