Three Little Girls in Blue

Wish there were movies today made with the fun and laughter and brilliance this encompassed .. Loved this film and never forgot it! Would love to purchase it if anyone has an idea where I can please let me know .. Thank you ..

Where has this musical been hiding for the last 50 years? It's a total delight. Special bouquets go to the feminine side of the cast--June Haver, Vivian Blaine, and Celeste Holm. But perhaps the top stand-out is lovely and piquant Vera-Ellen. Her rendition of "You Make Me Feel So Young" is one of the best solo dances ever filmed.

One of the most delightful musicals of the 1940s, THREE LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE has fallen into undeserved obscurity. Its 'problem' (such as it is) is that it's an ensemble film that does not feature stars that have huge a huge fan base like Judy Garland, Betty Grable, Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly, and that it was made by 20th Century-Fox, a studio whose musicals are often unfairly dismissed (let's face it - any studio that ISN'T the great MGM tends to gets its musicals dismissed). But from start to finish, it's irresistible, blessed by attractive performers who each get a chance to shine, Fox's lush Technicolor, a snappy script and overall good-natured cheer that never gets cloying or soggy. The plot (three sisters who fall into a small inheritance set out to trap wealthy husbands) was so popular that it was remade with slight variations over the decades, from THE GREEKS HAD A WORD FOR THEM (1932), THREE BLIND MICE (1938), MOON OVER MIAMI (1941), the film under discussion, and HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE (1953). Made just five years after MOON OVER MIAMI (Set in swank Art Deco Miami with Betty Grable, Carole Landis, Charlotte Greenwood, Don Ameche, Robert Cummings and Jack Haley), THREE LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE re-set the action in Atlantic City and Maryland in 1902. Musicals set in the 'Belle-Epoque' period were very popular in the 1940s, though the majority of them seem rather leaden today - THREE LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE is a refreshing, brisk exception. Its stars were June Haver, fresh from a hit with THE DOLLY SISTERS the previous year, Vivian Blaine (her last film at Fox) and the delightful dancer Vera-Ellen (On loan to Fox from Sam Goldwyn). For the male stars, originally Victor Mature and Caesar Romero were signed, but after several weeks of shooting under director John Braham, they were replaced by George Montgomery and Frank Latimore (While Braham was replaced by H. Bruce Humberstone). Other members of the cast were Charles Smith (inexplicably uncredited!) and in her first film, Celeste Holm, who although she only makes her first appearance late in the proceedings, nearly tucks the film under her shapely arms and runs off with it as the saucy, man-hungry Cousin Miriam. The score by Mack Gordon and Joseph Myrow is bright and tuneful (unusually for a Fox musical, they mostly advance the story and are not presented 'on stage') with "You Make Me Feel So Young" (sung and danced by Vera-Ellen & Charles Smith) "On the Boardwalk in Atlantic City" "A Farmers Life is a Very Merry Life", "Always a Lady" (written for Holm in the manner of her OKLAHOMA! hit, "I Caint Say No") and "Somewhere in the Night", a dreamy ballad for Vivian Blaine being the highlights. Producer Mack Gordon borrowed his former Fox colleage Harry Warren from MGM to contribute "This Is Always" (for Haver and Montgomery), and while unusually, Warren and the song are mentioned on both the film's opening credits and the posters, the song itself was cut from the film. Thankfully, the soundtrack exists, and hopefully the picture does too. Hopefully Fox will eventually restore the film with the number put back in!

This version of the story is a musical. when this was introduced on Turner Classics, Michael Feinstein discussed the background of the song-writing team Myrow and Gordon. June Haver, Vera-Ellen, and Vivian Blaine are the Charter sisters, who leave the farm to go man-hunting. They have limited funds, so just like in moon over miami, one will play the rich girl, while the others will be maid and secretary. seems overly complicated, but adds mystery to the plot. it's a predecessor to how to marry a millionaire, but a successor to three blind mice and moon over miami. all similar stories, where the girls pool their resources and hope to find a (rich) hubby before they run out of cash. at one point, one of the farm girls even says you can be just as happy with a rich guy as a poor one... in true marilyn monroe style, which she quoted in both gentlemen prefer blonds and how to marry a millionaire, both in 1953. again, just like in moon over miami, there are some twists and surprises, when the girls are caught in their scheme. Not really a fan of this 1946 version; it's a period piece, takes place around 1900. I'd have to say How to Marry a Millionaire is best, and Moon over Miami is next. some of the songs they sing here just bring the story to a screeching halt. the dance on the giant piano keyboard is clever, but SO out of place in this film. another odd decision. doesn't help the story any. feels like they had a collection of songs they were determined to use, whether they fit the story or not. Directed by Bruce Humberstone. and oddly, Mack Gordon, one of the song writers is also producer and writer. he sure earned his pay on this one. it's okay, but nothing too special. the best part is a 29 year old Celeste Holm, so young and skinny. just four years later, she will be nominated for her role in All about Eve.

it was an outstanding, award worthy,movie that left you with a warm fuzzy feeling inside. the actors/actresses played their parts so well it was as if you were in the movie. the plot and unexpected twists add to the experience, you don't even notice that it's in black and white. the movie all around is a great movie.