Lillian Russell (1940)
Synopsis of Lillian Russell
Lillian Russell is the sanitized musical biopic of the legendary (and much-married) 19th century musical comedy star. Discovered in 1880 by bandleader Tony Pastor (Leo Carrillo), Lillian Russell (Alice Faye) wastes no time rising to fame and fortune on the Broadway stage. Along the way, she curries the favor of such eligible bachelors as newspaperman Alexander Moore (Henry Fonda), composer Edward Solomon (Don Ameche), and railroad tycoon Diamond Jim Brady (Edward Arnold). She marries the first two, and has a high old time (albeit chastely) with the third. The story ends with Russell's retirement in 1912, and her reunion with the one true love of her life. The film's hands-down highlight is a timeworn but classic routine involving those two Broadway comedy giants Joe Weber and Lew Fields, both of whom had appeared on-stage with the real Lillian Russell. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 127 mins
Complete Cast of Lillian Russell
- Alice Faye - Lillian Russell
- Henry Fonda - Alexander Moore
- Warren William - Jesse Lewisohn
- Helen Westley - Grandma Leonard
- Ernest Truex - Charles Leonard
- Claud Allister - Arthur Sullivan
- Una O'Connor - Marie
- Elyse Knox - Lillian Russell's Sister
- Hal K. Dawson - Chauffeur
- Robert Emmett Keane - Jeweler
- Frank Thomas - Official
- Tom London - Frank
- William Haade - Soldier
- Alex Pollard - Waiter
- Milburn Stone - Reporter
- Eddie Foy, Jr. - Eddie Foy, Sr.
- Cecil Cunningham - Mrs. Hobbs
- Robert "Buddy" Shaw - Man
- Leyland Hodgson - Hotel Clerk
- Ferike Boros - Mrs. Rose
- Philip Winter - Tenor
- Frank Darien - Coachman
- Don Ameche - Edward Solomon
- Edward Arnold - Diamond Jim Brady
- Leo Carrillo - Tony Pastor
- Dorothy Peterson - Cynthia Leonard
- Nigel Bruce - William Gilbert
- Lynn Bari - Edna McCauley
- Diane Fisher - Dorothy
- Joan Valerie - Lillian Russell's Sister
- Charles Halton - Dr. Dobbins
- Harry Hayden - Mr. Sloane, Newspaper Editor
- A.S. Byron - Policeman
- William B. Davidson - Grover Cleveland
- Irving Bacon - Soldier
- Paul McVey - Stage Manager
- Floyd Shackelford - Valet
- Joe Weber - Himself
- Paul E. Burns - Soldier
- Lew Fields - Himself
- Charles Tannen - Reporter
- Joseph Cawthorn - Leopold Damrosch
- Thaddeus Jones - Mose
- Director(s):
- Irving Cummings
- Writer(s):
- William Anthony McGuire
- Producer(s):
- Darryl F. Zanuck
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