Step Lively

Step Lively


RKO, 1944, B/W, 88 minutes, ***½

Released July, 1944



Gordon Miller (George Murphy) has a hit in the works, especially since he latched onto a playwright whose real talent is his singing voice. Now all that flimflamming Miller must do is put his musical revue on stage before the rubber check underwriting bounces his troupe from Broadway to the Bowery.



As the typewriter-toting crooner, Frank Sinatra steps into his first top billing in this antic backstage musical based on the Broadway / Marx Brothers movie hit Room Service. With a nimble cast (including Gloria DeHaven, Adolphe Menjou and Walter Slezak) and buoyant Sammy Cahn / Jule Styne songs to go with the farce, footlights and Frank, what else can a movie do but Step Lively?


Much funnier than the original, and a lot of great music to boot!


Produced by: Robert Fellows

Directed by: Tim Whelan

Assistant Director: Clem Beauchamp

Screen Play by: Warren Duff and Peter Milne

Based upon the play "Room Service" by John Murray and Allen Boretz

As produced by George Abbott

Songs by: Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne

Musical Director: C. Bakaleinikoff

Vocal Director: Ken Darby

Musical Arrangements for Mr. Sinatra: Axel Stordahl

Orchestra Arrangements: Gene Rose

Musical Numbers Created and Staged by: Ernst Matray

Art Directors: Albert S. D'Agostino, Carroll Clark

Set Decorations: Darrell Silvera, Claude Carpenter

Gowns by: Edward Stevenson

Makeup Artist: Mel Berns

Recorded by: Jean L. Speak

Director of Photography: Robert de Grasse

Special Effects: Vernon L. Walker

Edited by: Gene Milford



Awards: Academy Award Nomination for Best Interior Decoration



Cast: Frank Sinatra [Glen Russell], George Murphy [Gordon Miller], Adolphe Menjou [Wagner], Gloria DeHaven [Christine Marlowe], Walter Slezak [Joe Gribble], Eugene Pallette [Jenkins], Wally Brown [Binion], Alan Carney [Harry], Grant Mitchell [Dr. Glass], Anne Jeffreys [Miss Abbott], Frances King [Mother], Harry Noble [Father], George Chandler [Country Yokel], Rosemary La Planche [Louella], Shirley O'Hara [Louise], Elaine Riley [Lois], Dorothy Malone [Telephone Operator], Frank Mayo [Doorman]



Musical Program: [0:00] Overture ("Come Out Wherever You Are" played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:03] Where Does Love Begin (And Where Does Friendship End) (sung and danced by Gloria DeHaven, George Murphy and Chorus); [0:14] Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are (sung by Gloria DeHaven and Chorus, then sung by Frank Sinatra); [0:26] As Long as There's Music (There's Always a Chance) (sung by Frank Sinatra); [0:45] Where Does Love Begin (And Where Does Friendship End) (performed by Frank Sinatra and Anne Jeffreys); [0:56] Some Other Time (sung by Frank Sinatra and Gloria DeHaven with Chorus, danced by Gloria DeHaven and Chorus); [1:10] Why Must There Be an Op'ning Song (sung by Anne Jeffreys with Chorus Girls toting musical instruments); [1:13] Ask the Madame (production number performed by George Murphy, Gloria DeHaven and Chorus); [1:23] Finale: As Long as There's Music (There's Always a Chance) (reprised by Frank Sinatra with Girls Chorus) / Some Other Time (reprised by Gloria DeHaven and Frank Sinatra with Chorus Girls) / As Long as There's Music (There's Always a Chance) (sung by Frank Sinatra, Gloria DeHaven and Chorus, danced by George Murphy and Anne Jeffreys) / Where Does Love Begin (And Where Does Friendship End) (sung by Company and Chorus)