LILLIAN RUSSELL

Lillian Russell
20th Century-Fox, 1940, B/W, 127 minutes, ***
Released May, 1940

It's the Gay '90s and headliner Lillian Russell (Alice Faye) is unstoppable! Called "The English Ballad Singer," her beauty, charm and unforgettable voice packed playhouses everywhere. Offstage, she was equally amazing with an extravagant lifestyle that included four husbands, a jewel-studded bicycle and a wardrobe filled with furs, jewels, gowns and diamond-decorated corsets. As Russell, Faye breathes life into this glamorous icon singing old standards such as, "After the Ball" and new songs including, "Blue Love Bird." One of Faye's best dramatic roles, she stars with actors Don Ameche, Henry Fonda and Edward Arnold.
Biopic of legendary singer / actress, Lillian Russell (1861 - 1922). Miss Russell was also portrayed by Ruth Gillette in The Great Ziegfeld, Andrea King in My Wild Irish Rose and Binnie Barnes in Diamond Jim.

It's a charming film, Faye is truly amazing as Lillian Russell. All of the principals turn in wonderful performances. The film tends to gloss over Russell's extravagances for the most part and chooses to portray her as a sweet young lass, but that makes the film upbeat and fun. Edward Arnold nearly steals every scene he's in portraying Diamond Jim Brady as one of the kindest men of all time, and that laugh of his is very contagious! Henry Fonda plays his role perfectly, following Alice around through all her ups and downs. Don Ameche is great, as always, but his role is much too short. Anyway, it's a fun film.Producer: Darryl F. Zanuck
Associate Producer: Gene Markey
Directed by: Irving Cummings
Screen Play by: William Anthony McGuire
Music and Lyrics: "Adored One" by Alfred Newman and Mack Gordon; "Blue Love Bird" by Gus Kahn and Bronislau Kaper
Musical Direction: Alfred Newman
Dances Staged by: Seymour Felix
Art Direction: Richard Day, Joseph C. Wright
Set Decorations: Thomas Little
Costumes: Travis Banton
Sound: Arthur von Kirbach, Roger Heman
Director of Photography: Leon Shamroy
Film Editor: Walter Thompson

Awards: Academy Award nomination for Best Interior Decoration, B/W

Cast: Alice Faye [Lillian Russell (Helen Leonard)], Don Ameche [Edward Solomon], Henry Fonda [Alexander Moore], Edward Arnold [Diamond Jim Brady], Warren William [The Famous J. L.], Leo Carrillo [Tony Pastor], Helen Westley [Grandma Leonard], Dorothy Peterson [Cynthia Leonard, Lillian's Mother], Ernest Truex [Charles K. Leonard, Lillian's Father], Nigel Bruce [William Gilbert], Lynn Bari [Edna McCauley], Claude Allister [Arthur Sullivan], Joe Weber, Lew Fields [Weber & Fields], Eddie Foy, Jr. [Eddie Foy, Sr.], Una O'Connor [Marie], Joseph Cawthorn [Leopold Damrosch], Diane Fisher [Dorothy], Elyse Knox, Joan Valerie, Alice Armand [Lillian Russell's Sisters], William Davidson [President Cleveland], Hal K. Dawson [Chauffeur], Charles Halton [Dr. Dobbins], Robert Emmett Keane [Jeweler], Harry Hayden [Mr. Sloane, Newspaper Editor], Frank Darien [Coachman], Frank Sully [Hank], Ottola Nesmith [Miss Smyth], Ferike Boros [Mrs. Rose], Frank Thomas [Official], Robert Homans [Stage Doorman], William Haade, Irving Bacon, Paul Burns [Soldiers], Cecil Cunningham [Mrs. Hobbs], Additional Cast: Milburn Stone, Charles Tannen [Reporters], Leyland Hodgson [Hotel Clerk], Philip Winter [Tenor], Thaddeus Jones [Mose], Alex Pollard [Waiter], Tom London [Frank], Stella Shirpsor [Baby], Robert "Buddy" Shaw [Man], A. S. Byron [Policeman], Floyd Shackelford [Valet], Paul McVey [Stage Manager], Dennis Kaye [New Born Baby]

Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (played by Orchestra behind titles, includes vocal of Back in the Days of Old Broadway and Under the Bamboo Tree sung by Chorus); [0:06] Comin' Thro' the Rye (excerpt sung by Alice Faye); [0:17] Brighten the Corner Where You Are (excerpt sung by Alice Faye and Lillian's sisters); [0:25] The Band Played On (sung by Alice Faye); [0:29[ Come Down Ma Evenin' Star (sung by Alice Faye); [0:33] Ma Blushin' Rosie (Ma Rosie Sweet) (production number sung by Alice Faye and Chorus); [0:51] After the Ball (Alice Faye with Chorus sings to President Cleveland over the phone); [0:57] Adored One (sung by Don Ameche, then sung by Alice Faye); [1:19] Blue Love Bird (sung by Don Ameche, hummed by Alice Faye); [1:34] Blue Love Bird (sung by Alice Faye); [1:43] Artists Life (played by Orchestra in background); [1:56] He Goes to Church on Sunday (performed by Eddie Foy, Jr.); [2:01] Waltz Is King / After the Ball (production number sung and danced by Chorus, sung by Alice Faye); [2:06] Back in the Days of Old Broadway (sung by Chorus behind end credits); The melody of Under the Bamboo Tree is a recurring theme throughout the background score.