Orchestra Wives

Orchestra Wives


20th Century-Fox, 1942, B/W, 97 minutes, ***

Released September, 1942



Connie Ward (Ann Rutherford) falls in love with Glenn Morrison's trumpeter Bill Abbott (George Montgomery) and they get married. Connie travels with the band and learns the truth about being an Orchestra Wife, but not before she splits up the band!



Features Glenn Miller in one of his all-too-few films. Jackie Gleason, Lynn Bari and Harry Morgan fill out the cast. Also, Betty Hutton's sister Marion with the Modernaires.



Produced by: William LeBaron

Directed by: Archie Mayo

Screen Play by: Karl Tunberg and Darrel Ware

Original Story by: James Prindle

Lyrics and Music: "Serenade in Blue," "I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo," "People Like You and Me, "At Last" by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren

Musical Direction: Alfred Newman

Nicholas Brothers Dances Staged by: Nick Castle

Art Direction: Richard Day, Joseph C. Wright

Set Decorations: Thomas Little

Costumes: Earl Luick

Makeup Artist: Guy Pearce

Sound: Fred Lau, Roger Heman

Director of Photography: Lucien Ballard

Film Editor: Robert Bischoff



Awards: Nominated for Best Song Academy Award ("I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo")



Cast: George Montgomery [Bill Abbott], Ann Rutherford [Connie Ward], Glenn Miller [Gene Morrison], Cesar Romero [Sinjin], Lynn Bari [Jaynie], Carole Landis [Natalie], Virginia Gilmore [Elsie], Mary Beth Hughes [Caroline], Nicholas Brothers [Specialty] Tamara Geva [Mrs. Beck], Frank Orth [Rex Willet], Grant Mitchell [Dr. Ward], Henry (Harry) Morgan [Cully Anderson], Jackie Gleason [Beck], Edith Evanson [Hilda], Alec Craig [Henry Fink], Tex Beneke [Himself], Marion Hutton [Herself], The Modernaires [Themselves], Pat Friday [singing voice of Lynn Bari], Steve Lipkin [trumpet playing for George Montgomery], Chummy McGregor [piano playing for Cesar Romero], Doc Goldberg [bass playing for Jackie Gleason]



Musical Program: [0:00] Moonlight Serenade (played by Glenn Miller Orchestra behind titles); [0:01] Chattanooga Choo Choo (instrumental excerpt played by Glenn Miller Orchestra in recording studio); [0:02] People Like You and Me (sung by Ray Eberle, Marion Hutton and The Modernaires, joined by Tex Beneke, with the Glenn Miller Orchestra); [0:09] Boom Shot (played by Glenn Miller Orchestra on jukebox); [0:12] At Last (sung by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday dubbing for Lynn Bari with the Glenn Miller Orchestra); [0:24] Bugle Call Rag (played by Glenn Miller Orchestra, featuring Moe Purtill on drums); [0:45] Montage (with medley of Glenn Miller numbers); [0:51] Serenade in Blue (sung by Pat Friday dubbing for Lynn Bari joined by The Modernaires with the Glenn Miller Orchestra); [1:28] I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo (sung by Tex Beneke, Marion Hutton and The Modernaires with the Glenn Miller Orchestra; sung and danced by the Nicholas Brothers)