McElbert Moore Movies
- 1949
Whenever Monogram wanted to get prestige bookings, the studio released its product through its "class" subsidiary Allied Artists. Such was the case of There's a Girl in My Heart, a period musical that any of the larger studios would have been proud of. The only indication of its Monogram origins is its less-than-stellar cast, including Lee Bowman and Elyse Knox; surprisingly, the film's big-money musical stars, Gloria Jean and Peggy Ryan, are billed fourth and fifth. The story finds New York ward-heeler Terrence (Lee Bowman) trying to erect a sports stadium on the property partially occupied by music-hall entrepreneur Colton (Lon Chaney Jr.) The fly in the ointment is Claire (Elyse Knox), the owner of the property, who refuses to sell because several tenants would be thrown out of their homes. But Terrence is determined to have his way -- at least until he falls in love with Claire. Cast as the daughter of a music teacher, Gloria Jean gets to sing a couple of tunes, while Peggy Ryan hoofs it with her perennial dancing partner Ray McDonald. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lee Bowman, Elyse Knox, (more)
- 1949
Though no longer employed by Universal in 1949, pert Peggy Ryan continued to show up in movie musicals for a variety of studios. Produced by up-and-coming Eagle Lion studios, Shamrock Hill features Ryan as feisty Irish-American colleen Eileen Rogan. The girl's steadfast belief in the existence of leprechauns comes in handy when land developer Ralph Judson (John Litel) evicts the residents of Shamrock Hill so that he can build a television station. The film concludes with a lighthearted courtroom sequence that owes more than a little to the finale of 20th Century-Fox's Miracle on 34th Street (1947). Naturally, Peggy Ryan is afforded several opportunities to sing and dance, usually in the company of personable leading man Ray McDonald. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peggy Ryan, Ray McDonald, (more)
- 1948
The combination of star Gloria Jean and director Arthur Dreifuss resulted in several pleasant if unmemorable late-1940s musicals. In An Old-Fashioned Girl, Jean is cast as Polly Milton, the poor relation of a prosperous 19th-century Boston family. Rather than accept financial support from her stuffy relatives, Polly elects to support herself as a music teacher. Mistreated and misunderstood by practically everyone she meets, our heroine at last finds true love in the arms of businessman Mr. Sydney (John Hubbard). The supporting cast includes former child star James Lydon and future adult star Elinor Donahue, as well as violin prodigy Sandra Berkova. An Old-Fashioned Girl is based on the story of the same name by Louisa May Alcott. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gloria Jean, Jimmy Lydon, (more)
- 1944
The exciting world of the cosmetic industry provides the basis of this lively low-budget musical comedy that centers on the attempts of a young inventor to market a new kind of nonstaining lipstick at the American Beauty Association Show. When a make-up magnate learns of the revolutionary invention, he does all he can to keep the young man out of the show. Fortunately, for the young man, his lady friend wins a contest and is able to help him scare up the necessary funds so he can participate in the show. Songs include: "Wedding of the Samba and the Boogie", "Rosebud, I Love You" and "Do I Need You?" ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ina Ray Hutton, Hugh Herbert, (more)
