Mother Wore Tights

Mother Wore Tights
20th Century-Fox, 1947, Color, 107 minutes, ***½
Released September, 1947

One of pinup girl Betty Grable's most popular films, as well as her personal favorite, this box-office hit is packed with nostalgic moments and memorable song-and-dance numbers.

Celebrating the life and times of the vaudeville circuit, this affectionate, nostalgic tale traces the love affair of a beautiful dancer (Grable) and a comedian (Dan Dailey) who marry and raise a family while continuing to perform on the road. Filled with sketches, charming vignettes and sensational musical interludes, Mother Wore Tights is the first of four films pairing Grable with her favorite co-star, Dan Dailey. Alfred Newman's Oscar-winning musical score provides the perfect tone for this "beguiling and enchanting" (The Hollywood Reporter) family film. Produced by: Lamar Trotti
Directed by: Walter Lang
Screen Play by: Lamar Trotti
Based on the Book by Miriam Young
Lyrics and Music by: Mack Gordon and Josef Myrow
Dances Staged by: Seymour Felix and Kenny Williams
Musical Direction: Alfred Newman
Vocal Arrangements: Charles Henderson
Orchestral Arrangements: Gene Rose
Art Direction: Richard Day, Joseph C. Wright
Set Decorations: Thomas Little
Wardrobe Direction: Charles Le Maire
Costumes Designed by: Orry-Kelly
Makeup Artist: Ben Nye
Sound: Eugene Grossman, Roger Heman
Director of Photography: Harry Jackson
Photographed in Technicolor
Technicolor Director: Natalie Kalmus
Associate: Leonard Doss
Film Editor: J. Watson Webb, Jr.

Awards: Won Academy Award for Best Score - Musical (Alfred Newman); Academy Award nominations for Best Color Cinematography (Harry Jackson) and Best Song ("You Do")

Cast: Betty Grable [Myrtle McKinley Burt], Dan Dailey [Frank Burt], Mona Freeman [Iris Burt], Connie Marshall [Mikie Burt], Vanessa Brown [Bessie], Robert Arthur [Bob Clarkman], Sara Allgood [Grandmother McKinley], William Frawley [Mr. Schneider], Ruth Nelson [Miss Ridgeway], Anabel Shaw [Alice Flemmerhammer], Michael Dunne (aka Stephen Dunne) [Roy Bivens], George Cleveland [Grandfather McKinley], Veda Ann Borg [Rosemary Olcott], Sig Rumann [Papa], Lee Patrick [Lil], Señor Wences [Specialty], Additional Cast: Maude Eburne [Mrs. Muggins], William Forrest [Mr. Clarkman], Kathleen Lockhart [Mrs. Clarkman], Chick Chandler [Ed], Will Wright [Withers], Frank Orth [Stage Doorman], Harry Cheshire [Minister], Billy M. Greene, David Thursby [Policemen], Tom Stevenson [Hotel Clerk], Ann Gowland [Mikie at Age 3], Joan Gerians [One-Month-Old Baby], Anne Baxter [Narrator], Kenny Williams [Dance Director], Eula Morgan [Opera Singer], Tom Moore [Man], Harry Seymour [Man], Lee MacGregor [Boy], Stephen Kirchner [Myrtle's Dancing Partner], Alvin Hammer [Clarence], Brad Slaven, Ted Jordan [Sailors], George Davis [Waiter], Karolyn Grimes [Iris at Age 6], Lotte Stein [Mama], Antonio Filauri [Papa Capucci], Imogene Lynn [singing voice for Mona Freeman]

Musical Program: [0:00] Main Title (Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-Der-E played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:02] M-O-T-H-E-R (A Word That Means the World to Me) (short excerpt sung by Chorus); [0:02] Daddy, You've Been a Mother to Me (short excerpt sung by Chorus); [0:03] Burlington Bertie from Bow (excerpt sung and danced by Dan Dailey); [0:04] Medley (instrumental, played by Orchestra, danced by Betty Grable and Chorus); [0:09] You Do (sung and danced by Dan Dailey and Chorus Girls with Betty Grable as a Chorus Girl); [0:16] Burlington Bertie from Bow (sung and danced by Betty Grable); [0:27] Put Your Arms Around Me, Honey (sung in background by Chorus Girls); [0:31] This Is My Favorite City (sung and danced by Betty Grable and Dan Dailey); [0:39] You Do (sung by Betty Grable with Mens Chorus); [0:42] We're a Couple of Broadway Brothers (sung and danced by Betty Grable and Dan Dailey); [0:43] Kokomo, Indiana (sung and danced by Betty Grable and Dan Dailey); [0:53] The Mountain (performed by Señor Wences); [0:57] Silent Night (sung by Imogene Lynn dubbing for Mona Freeman); [1:03] Tra-La-La-La (sung by Betty Grable, Dan Dailey and Connie Marshall); [1:13] Lily of the Valley (sung by Betty Grable, Dan Dailey, Imogene Lynn dubbing for Mona Freeman, Connie Marshall and Hotel Guests); [1:22] Swingin' Down the Lane (sung by Imogene Lynn dubbing for Mona Freeman, Robert Arthur and Chorus); [1:23] Stumbling (sung by Imogene Lynn dubbing for Mona Freeman, then by Lee Patrick and Chick Chandler); [1:32] There's Nothing Like a Song (sung and danced by Betty Grable and Dan Dailey); [1:35] Kokomo, Indiana (sung and danced by Betty Grable and Dan Dailey); [1:37] (Rolling Down Bowling Green) On a Little Two-Seat Tandem (sung and danced by Betty Grable and Dan Dailey); [1:39] Fare-Thee-Well, Dear Alma Mater (sung by Girls Chorus); [1:42] You Do (sung by Imogene Lynn dubbing for Mona Freeman and Girls Chorus)