Peter Lind Hayes Movies
Peter Lind Hayes was the son of entertainer/nightclub entrepreneur Grace Hayes (1896-1989). Hayes was nine years old when he joined his mother's vaudeville act, doing an impression of Hollywood child star Jackie Coogan. He then spent several years as the star attraction of the Grace Hayes Lodge in the San Fernando Valley. In 1938, he made the first of his sporadic film appearances, and in 1940, he married his future stage and screen partner, singer/actress Mary Healy. While serving with distinction in the Army Air Force, Hayes was featured in the 1944 20th Century-Fox feature Winged Victory. From 1946 onward, the songs-and-snappy-patter team of Peter Lind Hayes and Mary Healey was a top New York nightclub and theatrical attraction. They extended their activities to TV in 1949, starring in such variety series as Inside the USA With Chevrolet (1949-50), The Stork Club (1950), The Peter Lind Hayes Show (1950-51, with Mary--originally titled Peter and Mary) and Star of the Family (1951). Their last regular TV gig was the semiautobiographical 1960 sitcom Peter Loves Mary (1960). In addition, Hayes and Healey starred in the 1958 Broadway play Who Was That Lady I Saw You With?, while Hayes soloed as Arthur Godfrey's TV and radio summer replacement and as one of the post-Paar, pre-Carson hosts of The Tonight Show. While his film career never attained the heights of his activities elsewhere, Hayes enjoyed at least one truly memorable screen role: Mr. Zalbedowski in the cult musical fantasy 5000 Fingers of Dr. T, co-starring wife Mary and Hans Conried. Active in a number of entertainment fields, Peter Lind Hayes was the author of three books and several magazine and newspaper articles, and served as producer-host of the 1975 anthology series When Television Was Live. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1939
All Women Have Secrets affords a rare film starring role for James Cagney's talented sister Jeanne Cagney. Set on a college campus, the story concerns the trials and tribulations of married student John (Joseph Allen) and his pregnant wife Kay (Cagney). In addition to their existing financial woes, Kay faces dismissal from her nightclub singing job as her waistline expands. The "secret" refers to the fact that Kay has been withholding the fact that John is about to become a father , lest he offer to quit school to support them both. Some much-needed laughs are provided by Peter Lynd Hayes as the typical campus cutup. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joseph Allen, Jr., Virginia Dale, (more)
- 1939
It's Swing Music vs. the Classics in the easy-to-take Warners tunefest Naughty But Nice. Dick Powell dons the obligatory spectacles as a staid music professor Hardwick, who harbors a desire to become a songwriter. With the help of aspiring lyricist Linda McKay (Gale Page), Hardwick pens a little ditty that, through a fluke, becomes a smash hit. Not entirely prepared for show-business success, Hardwick falls into the clutches of predatory vocalist Zelda Manion (Ann Sheridan), leaving poor Linda in the lurch-at least until the last reel. Ronald Reagan breezes through one of his then-typical wiseguy supporting roles, while ZaSu Pitts, Vera Lewis and Elizabeth Dunne are likewise typecast as Hardwick's maiden aunts (conversely, the Professor's other aunt, played by Helen Broderick, is a real hep-cat). Virtually all the Harry Warren/Johnny Mercer songs in Naughty but Nice have been adapted from the works of such past masters as Mozart, Bach and Wagner-and old device, but one which works beautifully here. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ann Sheridan, Dick Powell, (more)
- 1939
No relation to the 1932 W.C. Fields comedy of the same name, Million Dollar Legs is a college picture starring most of Paramount's younger contract players. The college is in financial trouble, so the students pin their hopes on a race horse--the "million dollar legs" of the title. As it turns out, the college's salvation rests with its rowing team, captained by Jackie Coogan (who was once upon a time a leading-man type). At the time Million Dollar Legs was made, Coogan was married to his costar, Betty Grable. A few years later, Grable would parlay her own lovely legs into a career worth several millions. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Betty Grable, John Hartley, (more)
- 1938
In this comedy, a milquetoast clerk is betrothed to the socialite whose aunt holds a big account with his company. When the agency owner hears that the generous aunt is preparing to close her account and give all the money to the happy couple, the boss decides to stop the wedding. To do so, he hires the seductive blonde wife of a vaudevillian friend to play a "practical joke" upon the hapless clerk. The joke almost succeeds when he comes very close to losing his beloved. Fortunately, the gal is loyal and totally trusting. The marriage takes place and all is well. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlie Ruggles, Richard Lane, (more)
