Lets Be Happy(1957).

Lets Be Happy(1957). Cast: Vera Ellen's final film. Tony Martin, Cyd Charisse's husband. Robert Flemyng, Zena Marshall and Helen Horton. Directed by Henry Levin, written by Dorothy Cooper and Diana Morgan.

After her grandfather's death, Jeannie has been taking in neighbors' washing in order to support herself. Soon after, she receives the money her grandfather left her in his will. Jeannie, immediately decides to spend the money on a trip to Scotland to see the Edinburgh Festival, but.. the only reservation available on short notice is on an, Air France flight to Paris. On board the plane, she is seated next to Stanley Smith, a washing machine inventor, who is hoping to sell his invention to a businessman in Paris.

When they arrive in Paris, they go their separate ways, but after Stanley learns that Mr. Fielding, the man he needs to see, is not there, he meets Jeannie back on the train to Edinburgh.

Later when Jeannie arrives at her boardinghouse, she learns that they have lost her reservation, which leaves her without a room. She goes to see Stanley, to see if he can help her find a room. While Stanley is arranging a room for her, Jeannie meets down on his luck Lord James MacNairn, who is looking for wealthy wife and mistakes her for a millionaires. After Stanley, registers Jeannie in the bridal suite they to go out that evening.

The next day Stanley, meets Helene, a French fashion model and breaks his date with Jeannie saying he has to go to a business meeting.. Unfortunately, Jeannie sees him leaving out her window with his date.

The next day, Jimmy shows Jeannie around Edinburgh and invites her to a ballet. Not knowing that Stanley has bought tickets for a different event, she tells him that she has another date and accuses him of lying to her. Stanley and Helene follow Jeannie and Jimmy to the ballet and later dine at separate tables in the same restaurant. Jeannie spends the next few days with Jimmy, taking in Scotland's scenic beauty. At dinner that evening, when Jeannie tells Jimmy that she is leaving the next day, he asks her to marry him. Stanley interrupts them to announce that he has made his business deal a success and that is when Jeannie informs him that she and Jimmy are engaged. After Stanley leaves, Jeannie tells Jimmy that all of her money is gone. Jimmy says that he thought that she was a millionairess and he originally wanted to marry Jeannie for her money, but now... he wants to marry her for herself. Jeannie tells Jimmy that she likes him, but not enough to marry him and sails back to the United States. There she sells the house in Heatherdale and makes plans to move to New York. As she is packing, Stanley shows up and shows her a newspaper story about Jimmy's engagement to a toothpaste heiress. When Stanley tells her that he loves her, will she set her pride aside and agree to marry him?

This is a wonderful scenic musical set in the 50s. And a wonderful opportunity to see Vera Ellen's dance number.

Vera Ellen

Zena Moyra Marshall (1 January 1926 – 10 July 2009) was a British actress of film and television. Her film career began with a small role in the film, Caesar and Cleopatra (1945), with Claude Rains and Vivien Leigh. Her exotic looks resulted in her being cast in "ethnic" roles, such as Asian women, including her role as Miss Taro, in the first James Bond film, Dr. No (1962). Marshall also performed in the film,Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965) as the Countess Ponticelli.

Vera Ellen.

In 1939, Vera-Ellen made her Broadway theatre debut in the musical, Very Warm for May at the age of 18. This led to roles on Broadway in, Panama Hattie, By Jupiter and A Connecticut Yankee, where she was spotted by Samuel Goldwyn, who cast her opposite Danny Kaye and Virginia Mayo in the film, Wonder Man. In this film, Danny Kaye plays a double role as a pair of identical twins, who look alike, but with very different personalities. Buster Dingle, who goes by the stage name "Buzzy Bellew" is a performer at a classy nightclub, while Edwin Dingle, is a bookworm writing a history book. The two brothers have not seen each other for years. Buster becomes the witness to a murder committed by mob boss "Ten Grand" Jackson and is also murdered. He comes back as a ghost, asking his twin brother for help to bring the killer to justice. Edwin takes his brother's place until after his testimony is given. He hides from Jackson's hitmen and performs Buster's nightclub show. To help him out, Buster possesses Edwin and he pretends to be a famous Russian singer with an allergy to flowers. Otchi Chornya, is continusly interrupted by his loud sneezes. The story is further complicated by the love interests of the two brothers.

She danced with Gene Kelly in, Words and Music, a movie loosely based on the partnership of the composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Lorenz Hart. The film starred Mickey Rooney, Tom Drake, Janet Leigh, Betty Garrett, and Ann Sothern.



Her next performance with Gene Kelly was in the film, On the Town, A story about three sailors, Gabey (Gene Kelly),Chip (Frank Sinatra), and Ozzie (Jules Munshin), who begin their shore leave, Gabey falls in love with the picture of "Miss Turnstiles", who is actually Ivy Smith (Vera-Ellen). The sailors turn New York upside down looking for her. They are joined by, Claire (Ann Miller), an anthropologist and Hildy Esterhazy (Betty Garrett), a taxi driver and Ivy, an aspiring actress. They have a number of adventures before their 24-hour leave ends and they must return to their ship to head off to sea.

She also appeared in the last Marx Brothers film, Love Happy.

She received top billing alongside Fred Astaire in, Three Little Words and The Belle of New York (1952). A film set in turn-of-the-century New York, wealthy playboy Charles Hill (Fred Astaire) is causing problems for his Aunt Lettie (Marjorie Main) and lawyer, Max (Keenan Wynn). He is known to fall in love then ditching his brides-to-be at the altar. He hears Angela (Vera-Ellen) singing in a Salvation Army band. He falls in love at first sight.

Then she went on to co-star with Bing Crosby in, White Christmas and with Donald O'Connor in, Call Me Madam. Directed by Walter Lang, with songs by Irving Berlin, based on the stage musical of the same name.



She retired from the screen in 1957. Guest appearances on the television variety shows of Dinah Shore and Perry Como in 1958 and 1959 were last of her entertainment career.

Three Little Words(1950).

Three Little Words(1950). Musical film biography of the Tin Pan Alley songwriting partnership of Kalmar and Ruby. Cast: Fred Astaire, Bert Kalmar, Red Skelton, Vera Ellen and Debbie Reynolds in a small role as singer. Harry Ruby served as a consultant on the project, and appears in a cameo role as a baseball-catcher.


One of Astaire's favourites, because of the vaudeville connection. As Hollywood film biographies it takes fewer liberties with the facts than usual, and Astaire and Skelton's onscreen portrayal of the partnership is complemented by a wonderful chemistry, some quality acting by both, and some fine comedy touches by Skelton. Two of the songs, "Thinking of You"


And "Nevertheless", became major hits.

In recognition of his acting performance here, Fred Astaire was awarded the first Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy in 1951.

Fun Facts:

Vocals for Debbie Reynolds were dubbed by Helen Kane.


Vocals for Vera-Ellen were dubbed by Anita Ellis.

The dress worn by Gale Robbins in the "All Alone Monday" number is the same dress worn by Ann Miller in the "Girl on the Magazine Cover" in Easter Parade (1948).

Soundtracks:

"Where Did You Get That Girl?"

Written Harry Puck, Bert Kalmar
Sung and Danced by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen (dubbed by Anita Ellis)

"She's Mine, All Mine"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by quartet

"Mr. and Mrs. Hoofer at Home"
(uncredited)
Music by André Previn
Danced by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen

"My Sunny Tennessee"
Written by Harry Ruby, Herman Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Fred Astaire, Red Skelton

"So Long! Oo-Long (How Long You Gonna Be Gone?)"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Fred Astaire, Red Skelton

"Who's Sorry Now?"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar, Ted Snyder
Sung by Gloria DeHaven

"Test Dance"
(uncredited)
Music by André Previn
Danced by Fred Astaire

"Come on, Papa"
Written by Harry Ruby, Edgar Leslie, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Vera-Ellen (dubbed by Anita Ellis)
Danced by Vera-Ellen, chorus

"Nevertheless"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen (dubbed by Anita Ellis), and Red Skelton
Danced by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen

"All Alone Monday"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Gale Robbins (later by Arlene Dahl)

"You Smiled at Me"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Arlene Dahl

"I Wanna Be Loved by You"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar, Herbert Stothart
Sung by Debbie Reynolds (dubbed by Helen Kane)

"Thinking of You"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Fred Astaire (later by Red Skelton)
Danced by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen

"I Love You So Much"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Arlene Dahl

"Three Little Words"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Fred Astaire (later by Red Skelton)

"You are My Lucky Star"
(uncredited)
by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed
Sung by Phil Regan

Happy Go Lovely (1951)

Happy Go Lovely(1951). British musical/comedy film. Directed by H. Bruce Humberstone. Cast: Vera Ellen, David Niven, and Cesar Romero.

American producer Jack Frost, begs his creditors to give him a couple more days to come up with the money that he owes them. To make things worse the star of the show quits. The next morning, chorus girl Janet Jones hitchhikes to the theater and is picked up by chauffeur Bates. Racing to get Janet to rehearsal, Bates is pulled over by the police, Janet arrives late and is fired. Unknown to Janet, Bates works for B. G. Bruno, the richest man in Scotland, and when Bates returns to the theater with her forgotten purse, everyone believes that Janet is Bruno's fiancee.

Seeing an opportunity, Jack rehires Janet and gives her the starring role. Janet, is also surprised when dressmaker Madame Amanda, who had been after her to pay an outstanding bill, gives her beautiful clothes to wear.

Upset, Janet's roommate Mae Thompson, asks her why she did not tell her about Bruno, Janet decides to tell her the truth. Believing that Bruno will never find out, Mae convinces Janet to continue with her story until the show opens.

The next day, Bruno, receives Madame Amanda's bill and decides to investigate. At the theater, Janet thinks that Bruno is Paul Tracy, a reporter who is scheduled to interview her, and Bruno does not correct her. Bruno questions Janet about "B. G.," she comes up with a story about their friendship.

Bruno, invites Janet to lunch the next day. Janet asks him not to print anything about her relationship with B. G. Jack, tells the real Paul his own stories about B. G. and Janet, and Paul writes about the "romance" in his next column. During lunch, Jane confronts Bruno about the column, but he convinces her that someone else wrote the story. Janet sees Bates's limousine outside the theater and quickly leaves. Bruno questions Bates about his visit to the theater, and when Bates tells him how met Janet, Bruno becomes convinced that Janet is not a gold digger.

Later, Mae and Janet, who told Jack she will bring B. G. to dinner the next night, look over actors' photographs, hoping to find someone to impersonate B. G. When Bruno brings flowers for Janet, the women think that he would make a perfect B. G., and ask him to play the part.

Janet and Mae give him tips on how to act like a millionaire, Bruno joins Janet at the fancy restaurant where Jack's creditors are waiting to meet B. G. Bruno convinces Jack and his creditors that he is B. G. and is considering investing in the show. After dinner, Janet tells Bruno that she does not know B. G.

The next morning, Bruno writes Jack a check. Janet sees Bruno at the theater and come clean with Jack and tells him that Bruno's check is phony. Jack wants Bruno's arrested and when Bruno shows up at opening night, he is chased by the police.

Bruno tries to convince Janet that he really is B. G., but she does not believe him. After Bruno is arrested, one of the officers recognizes him as B. G..

I thought this was a very charming comedy, with wonderful musical numbers, performed by, Vera-Ellen. Romero is bit frantic but Niven is hilarious.

Words and Music(1948)

Words and Music(1948) is a movie loosely based on the lives of composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Lorenz Hart. Cast: Mickey Rooney, Tom Drake, Janet Leigh, Betty Garrett, and Ann Sothern and is best remembered for the final scene with, Rooney and Judy Garland.




Vera Ellen and Gene Kelly.