FOOTLIGHT SERENADE

Footlight Serenade
Twentieth Century-Fox, 1942, B/W, 81 minutes, ***
Released August, 1942

Betty Grable dances her way to stardom on the Great White Way in this bouncy backstage musical comedy that co-stars Victor Mature, John Payne and Phil Silvers. Silvers is a fast-talking comedian who gets the bright idea of starring heavyweight champ Tommy Lundy (Mature) in a Broadway show. Unfortunately, Tommy is an egotistical womanizer who thinks the only thing that matters is what he wants. Pat Lambert (Grable) is the chorus girl he wants at the moment. Pat wants nothing to do with Tommy, and is already engaged to Bill (Payne), who winds up in the show as Tommy's opponent in a climactic fight scene. But when these two square off over Pat, the punches they start throwing aren't make believe! With its boundless musical excitement, Footlight Serenade is one night on Broadway you'll never forget!


Produced by: William LeBaron
Directed by: Gregory Ratoff
Screenplay: Robert Ellis, Helen Logan and Lynn Starling
(based on the story "Dynamite" by Fidel LaBarba and Kenneth Earl)
Lyrics and Music by: Leo Robin and Ralph Rainger
Musical Direction: Charles Henderson
Dances Staged by: Hermes Pan
Art Direction: Richard Day, Albert Hogsett
Set Decorations: Thomas Little
Costumes: Earl Luick
Makeup Artisti: Guy Pearce
Sound: Bernard Freericks, Roger Heman
Director of Photography: Lee Garmes
Film Editor: Robert Simpson

Cast: John Payne [Bill Smith], Betty Grable [Pat Lambert], Victor Mature [Tommy Lundy], Jane Wyman [Flo LaVerne], James Gleason [Bruce McKay], Phil Silvers [Slap], Cobina Wright, Jr. [Estelle Evans], June Lang [June], Frank Orth [Doorman], Mantan Moreland [Dresser], Irving Bacon [Porter], Charles Tannen [Stage Manager], George Dobbs [Dance Director], Frank Coghlan, Jr. [Usher], Harry Barris [Composer], Trudy Marshall [Secretary], Don Wilson [Announcer], John Dilson [Clerk], William "Billy" Newell [Writer], Pat McKee [Pug], Wilbur Mack [Boxing Commissioner], George Holmes [Cowboy in movie], Sheila Ryan [Cowgirl in movie], Russ Clark, Frankie Van [Referees], Bud Mercer, Jim Mercer [The Mercer Brothers, Dance Specialty]

Musical Program: [0:04] Except with You (sung by Cobina Wright, Jr. with male quartet); [0:12] Are You Kiddin'? (sung and danced by Betty Grable); [0:21] I'm Still Crazy for You (sung by Betty Grable and John Payne); [0:31] Land on Your Feet (instrumental danced by Betty Grable and Hermes Pan); [0:38] Betty Grable go to movie "High on a Western Hill; [0:39] Living High (On a Western Hill) (jazz instrumental played by band at theater, segment danced by Victor Mature); [0:44] "The Boxing Number" I Heard the Birdies Sing (sung and danced by Betty Grable and Girls Chorus, solo segment danced by Betty Grable and shadow); [1:20] Finale: I'll Be Marching to a Love Song (excerpt sung and danced by Betty Grable, Victor Mature, John Payne and Chorus);