Louis Da Pron Movies

Walking My Baby Back Home is a bubbly musical of no significance whatsoever, but this doesn't diminish its enjoyability factor. The film wastes no time in showing off the singing and dancing skills of star Donald O'Connor, who is seen cavorting about during the opening credits. O'Connor plays war veteran Jigger Millard, who forms a band with several other musically inclined ex-GIs. Unfortunately, Jigger's music isn't what the public craves, so he's forced to join a minstrel show headed by Colonel Wallace (George Cleveland), the uncle of pretty Chris Hall (Janet Leigh). As he performs the old "down in Dixie" numbers required of him, Jigger is inspired to reorganize his band into a Dixieland aggregation, with the considerable input of black musician Smiley (Scatman Crothers). Buddy Hackett is on hand as comedy relief Blimp Edwards. A tantalizing excerpt from Walking My Baby Back Home was seen in an ironic context during a 1970s Columbo TV episode, guest-starring Janet Leigh as the murderer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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

This musical tells the tales of two movie extras who abscond to an expensive resort with their costumes and pretend to be aristocrats. Included in the film are ice skating numbers and songs. Songs include: "The Friendly Polka," "Count Your Blessings," and "Who Believes in Santa Claus." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Are You with It? is a Universal vehicle for Donald O'Connor, who in 1948 was just making the transition from juvenile parts to romantic leads. O'Connor plays an uptight insurance executive, Milton Haskins, and mathematics genius who is constitutionally incapable of having fun. He attends a carnival, and for the first time in his life enjoys himself. Falling in love with one of the performers (Olga San Juan), Milton joins the carnival, and ultimately saves it from ruin through his wizardlike math skills. Are You With It? was adapted from the Broadway musical by Sam Perrin and George Balzer -- both stalwart members of Jack Benny's writing staff. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A would-be nightclub entertainer finds her life jeopardized after she inadvertently witnesses a gangland murder while heading for an audition. Fortunately, a brave photographer is there to save her and this crime drama ends on a happy note. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

If Penthouse Rhythm is paced more like a two-reel comedy than a mini-musical, it may be because the director was Mack Sennett alumnus Eddie Cline. Kirby Grant, Lois Collier, Judy Clark and Edward Norris play Dick, Linda, Patty and Junior, young members of a singing quartet. The kids have trouble getting their career started until given a boost by boxer-nightclub manager Maxie Rosenbloom (playing himself). Their success seems to hinge on a mere handful of songs, a fact that many genuine musicians found laughable. Halfway down the cast list as "Jank" is Jimmy Dodd, ten years away from his Mickey Mouse Club fame. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this romantic comedy, three man-hungry sisters consult a fortune-teller to help them with their romantic futures. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The Merry Monahans is one of the higher-budgeted Universal musicals of the 1940s, even though the storyline is strictly grade-B material. During the first two decades of the 20th century the film concerns a family vaudeville troupe headed by patriarch Pete Monahan (Jack Oakie). Because of his love affair with the bottle, Pete manages to get himself and his family blacklisted from every major vaude house in the country. Though Pete's kids Jimmy (Donald O'Connor) and Patsy (Peggy Ryan) love their dad, they're forced to break away from the act and go off on their own to survive. Eventually, the whole gang is reunited in a shamelessly lachrymose musical finale. Producer-scripters Michael Fessier and Ernest Pagano, whose other works include such offbeat comedies as San Diego I Love You, Frontier Gal and That's the Spirit, manage to keep the proceedings relatively cliché-free, though it's an uphill climb. The film's best moments include a series of celebrity impressions performed by Donald O'Connor and Peggy Ryan, and a handful of songs rendered by promising newcomer Ann Blyth. Some curious coincidences: The plot of Merry Monahans bears a startling resemblance to the early career of comedian Buster Keaton; Keaton was featured in three of Fessier and Pagano's Universal productions of the 1940s; and Donald O'Connor and Ann Blyth later starred in Paramount's The Buster Keaton Story! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this musical comedy, a soldier falls in love with a very young woman who in turn has a crush on an older, more sophisticated man. When the older gent goes to New York, she follows as does her younger suitor. While in the Big Apple, the soldier encounters the older man's ex-wife who is still in love with him. The soldier helps bring the couple back together and is rewarded by being united with his true love. The story was adapted from a Sinclair Lewis play. Songs include: "Gremlin Walk," "It's the Girl," "Yippee-I-Vot," "With a Song in My Heart," "All or Nothing at All," "You're a Lollapalooza," "At Sundown," and "L'Amour Toujours L'Amour." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this comic western, a Broadway star leaves his musical revue to go West and help out his troubled friend. While there, the performer finds himself forced into becoming the town sheriff. Mayhem ensues, but somehow, the crooner manages to round up a band of killers. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Dick Foran is back for another seven-reel melange of music and comedy in Universal's He's My Guy. Foran is cast as defense-plant worker Van Moore, who is casting about for ways of boosting morale amongst his fellow workers. Coming to the rescue are a group of veteran vaudevillians, who stage a spectacular show for the plant. Among these beloved performers are Gertrude Niesen, the Mills Brothers, Louis Da Pron, Lorraine Krueger, The Diamond Brothers and the Dorene Sisters. The feminine angle of the storyline is handled by heroine Irene Hervey and comedienne Joan Davis. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Drama students rebel in this musical set in a tiny drama school. The trouble begins when the students begin complaining to the school's proprietor that they should be doing more than just the classics. The kids are more interested in performing swing-type entertainment. When the owner takes a trip, the students decide to overcome the difficulties and put on their own show. They work hard, and manage to pull the whole thing off and prove to the owner that new music and dance has value too. Songs include: "This Must Be a Dream," "Kittens with Their Mittens Laced," "Things I Want to Say," "Spirit Is in Me," "Rude, Crude, and Unattractive," "Thee and Me," "We're Not Obvious," "Moonlight and Roses." ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide