Grace Hayes Movies
American singer/actress Grace Hayes was a popular chanteuse and vaudeville performer during the 1930s. She started her film career in 1930 appearing opposite Paul Whiteman in The King of Jazz. She appeared occasionally in films after that through 1950. As a singer, some of her better known songs include "I Can't Give You Anything but Love, Baby" and "Sunny Side of the Street." In the 1940s, she established the star-studded San Fernando Valley hot-spot-- the Grace Hayes Lodge--where she also performed. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Caged, considered the best woman's prison film ever made, represents a union between realistic socially conscious drama and the more stylized world of film noir. Marie, (Eleanor Parker), is sentenced to prison for helping her husband in a small robbery. The prison is run by the sadistic matron Evelyn (Hope Emerson) who is secure in her position due to corrupt political influence. The film shows Marie's slow disillusionment with society and her eventual decision to become a prostitute in order to gain parole after observing her friend and fellow inmate Kitty (Betty Garde) lose her sanity and murder their oppressor Evelyn. With this uncompromisingly pessimistic statement on human nature, John Cromwell reaches his peak as a director. Under his expert direction, Eleanor Parker gives the best performance of her career and creates a convincing metamorphosis from a innocent young girl to a hardened criminal. Her performance is nuanced, low-keyed and emotionally charged. Equally impressive is Cromwell's visual realization of the claustrophobia of prison life, aided by the high-contrast photography of Carl Guthrie. This excellent, grim drama is uncompromising in its refusal to sentimentalize the plight of Marie as a victim or to absolve her of her role in her fate, nor does it absolve society as it shows the results of desperation and brutalization on human dignity. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eleanor Parker, Agnes Moorehead, (more)
- 1949
Milton Berle was enjoying the first flush of his television success when his musical-comedy movie vehicle Always Leave Them Laughing hit the screens. Though his character name is Kip Cooper, Uncle Miltie more or less plays himself: an ambitious comedian who rises to fame by stealing other performers' material. Surprisingly, Berle seems to delight in painting himself in as unsympathetic a light as possible, though the audience can be assured that he will find redemption before fadeout time. In contrast, Bert Lahr turns in a warm-hearted performance as an ageing burlesque comic who teaches Berle the ropes--whereupon our "hero" repays the favor by wooing Lahr's avaricious young bride Virginia Mayo. Ultimately, it is nice girl Ruth Roman who wins Berle's heart, though she certainly has her work cut out for her. Featured in the cast are such veteran troupers as Grace Hayes(the mother of Peter Lynd Hayes), Julius Tannen and Wally Vernon. But it's Berle's show all the way, and he makes a feast of it. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Milton Berle, Virginia Mayo, (more)
- 1942
In this musical comedy, a musical comedy star is finally reunited with her estranged son whom she hasn't seen in 20 years. She is so happy she buys him a little restaurant which he and his friends turn into a dinner theater. Soon they make the place a great success. Songs include: include "Annabella," "It Makes No Difference When You're in the Army" (Johnny Lange, Lew Porter), "Put Your Trust in the Moon" (June Baldwin, Charles Callender), "Zis Boom Bah" (Elaine Cannon), "Good News Tomorrow," "I've Learned to Smile Again" (Neville Fleeson). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1942
A nightclub singer becomes actively involved in the education of the son she has never seen. She uses almost everything she makes to pay his tuition and expenses. One day she goes to the college to see how well he is doing. She is horrified to see that he is squandering his opportunity by spending his time going to parties and carousing with women. Later she learns that the college is nearly bankrupt. To save it she opens a club near campus and uses the profits to help out. Meanwhile her son grows up a bit, understands why education is important and buckles down to become a serious student. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Grace Hayes, Peter Lind Hayes, (more)
- 1939
This fun-filled spin-off of the Rodgers & Hart Broadway musical by the same name, features Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney as two young children of vaudevillian parents who aren't included in their parents travels, so they set out to produce a show of their own. Rooney's the driver here and he's up against the administrators of a fogy state-run trade school, who think the whole show idea is nonsense. A listening judge gives them 30 days to put on the show and prove they don't belong in the jail-like school. The rest of the action involves the highly talented kids successful efforts to not only stage the show, but to bring the whole troupe to Broadway. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, (more)
- 1934
Were it not for the diligence of old-time radio buffs and Three Stooges fans, the 1933 Universal epic Myrt and Marge might have remained in (deserved) obscurity. The film was inspired by The Story of Myrt and Marge, a popular radio serial which ran from 1931 to 1946. Repeating their radio roles, Myrtle Vail and her real-life daughter Donna Damarel star as sisters Myrt Minter and Marge Spear (Spear-Minter, get it?), chorus girls in the long-running Broadway show Hayfield's Pleasures. For plot purposes, Myrt and Marge spend most of the film mired in a third-rate theatrical troupe which only makes it to Broadway in the final reel. The story is maudlin and predictable in the extreme, relieved only by the antics of the Three Stooges -- Moe, Larry and Curly -- and their vaudeville mentor Eddie Foy Jr. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Myrtle Vail, Trixie Friganza, (more)
- 1933
In this musical, a Kansas City family despises their stepmother who selfishly moves them to New York so she can make her theatrical comeback. There she again begins singing; the a brother and sister are terribly angry until their songs are turned into hits by a band leader who has fallen in love with the stepmother. Songs include: "I Must Be in Love with Love," "Dance My Blues Away" (Elizabeth Morgan, Harry Von Tilzer). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joan Marsh, Frank Albertson, (more)
