The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend 1949 N/R, 77 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Preston Sturges Cast: Betty Grable, Cesar Romero, Rudy Vallee, Olga San Juan, Porter Hall, Hugh Herbert, Al Bridge, Sterling Holloway, Margaret Hamilton, Emory Parnell
Saloon singer Freddie Jones (Betty Grable) hides out from the law in a Western town where she poses as the new schoolmarm.
|  | |
Call Me Mister 1951 N/R, 95 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Lloyd Bacon Cast: Betty Grable, Dan Dailey, Danny Thomas, Dale Robertson, Benay Venuta, Richard Boone, Jeffrey Hunter, Harry von Zell, Jerry Paris
In this film, which is based on the Broadway musical, Dan Dailey takes on the role of Shep Dooley, the American GI who goes AWOL in Japan to meet with his wife, Kay (Betty Grable), who is touring with a USO troupe.
|  | |
College Swing 1938 N/R, 86 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Raoul Walsh Cast: Gracie Allen, George Burns, Martha Raye, Bob Hope, Edward Everett Horton, Ben Blue, Betty Grable, Jackie Coogan, John Payne, Robert Cummings, Florence George
Gracie (Gracie Allen) inherits a college and turns it into a swinging vaudeville arena.
|  | |
Coney Island 1943 N/R, 96 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Walter Lang Cast: Betty Grable, George Montgomery, Cesar Romero, Charles Winninger, Phil Silvers, Frank Orth, Andrew Tombes, Paul Hurst, Phyllis Kennedy, Byron Foulger
Set during the late 1800s, this is an entertaining musical about a nightclub singer (Betty Grable) who is promoted by a hustler (George Montgomery) into a Broadway star.
|  | |
Diamond Horseshoe 1945 N/R, 104 min. Genre: Musical aka: Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe
Director: George Seaton Cast: Betty Grable, Dick Haymes, Phil Silvers, William Gaxton, Beatrice Kay, Margaret Dumont, Eddie Acuff, George Melford, Reed Hadley, Edward Gargan
Nightclub singer Bonnie Collins (Betty Grable) gives up her stardom for marriage to a struggling medical student (Dick Haymes). Songs include "The More I See You" and "I Wish I Knew."
|  | |
The Dolly Sisters 1945 N/R, 114 min. Genre: Drama / Musical
Director: Irving Cummings Cast: Betty Grable, John Payne, June Haver, S.Z. Sakall, Reginald Gardiner, Frank Latimore, Gene Sheldon, Sig Ruman, Trudy Marshall, Collette Lyons
Good "oldie" songs abound in this musical biography of the Hungarian-born Dolly sisters, Jenny and Rosie (Betty Grable and June Haver), who hit it big in the New York theater world in the early 1900s.
|  | |
Down Argentine Way 1940 N/R, 90 min. Genre: Musical / Comedy / Romance
Director: Irving Cummings Cast: Don Ameche, Betty Grable, Carmen Miranda, Charlotte Greenwood, J. Carrol Naish, Henry Stephenson, Kay Aldridge, Leonid Kinskey, Chris-Pin Martin, Robert Conway, Gregory Gaye, Bobby Stone, Charles Judels
American heiress Glenda (Betty Grable) visits Argentina where she hopes to find wealthy racehorse owner Ricardo Quintana (Don Ameche). She succeeds in reaching Ricardo, and they fall in love but must deal with their feuding families before living happily ever after. The film received three Academy Award nominations, including Best Original Song ("Down Argentine Way")
|  | |
The Farmer Takes a Wife 1953 N/R, 80 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Henry Levin Cast: Betty Grable, Dale Robertson, Thelma Ritter, John Carroll, Eddie Foy Jr., Charlotte Austin, Kathleen Crowley, Merry Anders, May Wynn, Gwen Verdon
This musical remake of the 1935 version is OK fare, but it drags too much. It is the story of an Erie Canal worker (Dale Robertson) who falls in love and becomes a farmer.
|  | |
The Gay Divorcee 1934 N/R, 107 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Mark Sandrich Cast: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Alice Brady, Edward Everett Horton, Erik Rhodes, Eric Blore, William Austin, Betty Grable, E.E. Clive, Paul Porcasi, Lillian Miles, Charles Coleman, George Davis, Charlie Hall
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, as Guy and Mimi, run into each other at a resort where Mimi is awaiting her divorce. Mimi mistakes Guy for the man (Erik Rhodes) who her aunt (Alice Brady) has hired to have a tryst with Mimi and, thus, provide the grounds for her divorce. Complications ensue when Guy is attracted to Mimi, but she, because of the mix-up, does not treat him well. By story's end, all ends happily. The dances to "The Continental" and "Night and Day" are delightfully performed in this film. "The Continental" won the Academy Award for Best Song, the first year that the award was given for this category. Nominations were also received for four other awards, including Best Picture.
|  | |
Give Me a Sailor 1938 N/R, 80 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Elliott Nugent Cast: Martha Raye, Bob Hope, Betty Grable, Jack Whiting, J.C. Nugent, Clarence Kolb, Nana Bryant, Emerson Treacy, Kathleen Lockhart, Ralph Sanford
While he likes the life of having a girl in every port, sailor Jim Brewster (Bob Hope) tries to play matchmaker for his friend Walter (Jack Whiting) and Letty Larkin (Martha Raye).
|  | |
Greeks Had a Word for Them 1932 N/R, 77 min. Genre: Comedy aka: Three Broadway Girls
Director: Lowell Sherman Cast: Madge Evans, Joan Blondell, Ina Claire, David Manners, Lowell Sherman, Phillips Smalley, Sidney Bracey, Betty Grable, Louise Beavers, Ward Bond, Creighton Hale
Three New York City women–Polaire (Madge Evans), Schatze (Joan Blondell), and Jean (Ina Claire)–set out to find wealthy husbands. This story has been made several times, including "How to Marry a Millionaire."
|  | |
Hold 'Em Jail 1932 N/R, 74 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Norman Taurog Cast: Bert Wheeler, Robert Woolsey, Betty Grable, Edgar Kennedy, Edna May Oliver, Roscoe Ates, Paul Hurst, Warren Hymer, Robert Armstrong, Spencer Charters
Prison inmates Curly (Bert Wheeler) and Spider (Robert Woolsey) get involved in prison football–the warden's (Edgar Kennedy) favorite sport.
|  | |
How to Be Very, Very Popular 1955 N/R, 89 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Nunnally Johnson Cast: Betty Grable, Robert Cummings, Charles Coburn, Sheree North, Fred Clark, Alice Pearce, Orson Bean, Tommy Noonan, Charlotte Austin, Rhys Williams
In this remake of 1934's "She Loves Me Not" and 1942's "True to the Army," two dancers (Betty Grable and Sheree North) witness a Mob killing and then hide out on a college campus. This was Grable's last movie–"musicals" was her thing, but musicals were NOT the thing by the mid-1950s.
|  | |
How to Marry a Millionaire 1953 N/R, 95 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Jean Negulesco Cast: Betty Grable, Marilyn Monroe, Lauren Bacall, David Wayne, Rory Calhoun, William Powell, Cameron Mitchell, Alexander D'Arcy, Fred Clark
Loco (Betty Grable), Pola (Marilyn Monroe), and Schatze Page (Lauren Bacall) join forces as they set out to find a marriageable millionaire.
|  | |
I Wake Up Screaming 1942 N/R, 82 min. Genre: Drama / Thriller aka: Hot Spot
Director: H. Bruce Humberstone Cast: Betty Grable, Victor Mature, Carole Landis, Laird Cregar, William Gargan, Alan Mowbray, Allyn Joslyn, Elisha Cook Jr., Chick Chandler, Morris Ankrum, Cyril Ring, Charles(2) Lane, Frank Orth, Gregory Gaye
During intense questioning in the murder investigation of model Vicky Lynn (Carole Landis), promoter Frankie Christopher (Victor Mature) recalls through flashbacks events prior to her murder. At the same time, police are questioning Vicky's sister Jill (Betty Grable) and, through flashbacks, tie in what Frankie has described. Evidence mounts pointing to Frankie as the murderer–until Frankie reveals one last clue that leads to the real killer who has been there throughout the investigation.
|  | |
The Kid from Spain 1932 N/R, 96 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Leo McCarey Cast: Eddie Cantor, Lyda Roberti, Robert Young, Ruth Hall, John Miljan, Stanley Fields, Paulette Goddard, Betty Grable, J. Carrol Naish, Noah Beery
In this musical spectacle, Eddie Cantor plays a college dropout who ends up in Mexico where he impersonates a famous matador.
|  | |
Meet Me After the Show 1951 N/R, 86 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Richard Sale Cast: Betty Grable, Macdonald Carey, Eddie Albert, Fred Clark, Rory Calhoun, Lois Andrews, Irene Ryan, Edwin Max, Harry Antrim, Steve Condos
Delilah (Betty Grable) and Jeff (Macdonald Carey) have more success in their show-business careers than they seem to be able to attain in their own marriage.
|  | |
Million Dollar Legs 1939 N/R, 64 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Nick Grinde Cast: Betty Grable, John Hartley, Donald O'Connor, Jackie Coogan, Peter Lind Hayes, Buster Crabbe, Richard Denning, Thurston Hall, William Holden, Roy Gordon
Greg (John Hartley) is an able college athlete and student who strives to succeed without the financial backing of his father (Thurston Hall). The college kids buy a racehorse to get the school out of debt. Holden's appearance is very brief-look fast.
|  | |
Moon Over Miami 1941 N/R, 91 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Walter Lang Cast: Betty Grable, Don Ameche, Robert Cummings, Charlotte Greenwood, Jack Haley, Carole Landis, George Lessey, Minor Watson, Fortunio Bonanova, Robert Greig
In this entertaining film, three fortune-hunting sisters (Betty Grable, Charlotte Greenwood, and Carol Landis) find Miami to be the optimum place in their search for wealthy husbands.
|  | |
Mother Wore Tights 1947 N/R, 107 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Walter Lang Cast: Betty Grable, Dan Dailey, Mona Freeman, Connie Marshall, Vanessa Brown, Robert Arthur, Sara Allgood, William Frawley, George Cleveland, Sig Ruman
Vaudevillians Myrtle McKinley (Betty Grable) and Frank Burt (Dan Dailey) mix professional and personal lives as they raise their family in the midst of show business. This film won the Academy Award for Best Musical Score.
|  | |
My Blue Heaven 1950 N/R, 96 min. Genre: Musical / Comedy / Drama
Director: Henry Koster Cast: Betty Grable, Dan Dailey, David Wayne, Jane Wyatt, Mitzi Gaynor, Una Merkel, Louise Beavers, Minerva Urecal, Larry Keating, Mae Marsh
Radio stars (Betty Grable and Dan Dailey) try to adopt a child, and they get one–but not in the straightforward manner. The problems that follow are entertaining with music the center of attraction.
|  | |
Palmy Days 1931 N/R, 77 min. Genre: Musical
Director: A. Edward Sutherland Cast: Eddie Cantor, Charlotte Greenwood, Spencer Charters, Barbara Weeks, George Raft, Charles Middleton, Walter Catlett, Betty Grable, Harry Woods, Paul Page
Eddie Simpson (Eddie Cantor) unwittingly becomes involved in a spiritualism scam and becomes mixed up in numerous offbeat episodes in this elaborate early musical comedy.
|  | |
Pigskin Parade 1936 N/R, 93 min. Genre: Musical / Drama
Director: David Butler Cast: Patsy Kelly, Jack Haley, Stuart Erwin, Yacht Club Boys, Betty Grable, Judy Garland, Elisha Cook Jr., Alan Ladd, Johnny Downs, Arline Judge
In Judy Garland's first major film, music reigns supreme amidst the spirit of college football. Watch for Alan Ladd as a student who sings with the Yacht Club Boys. Stuart Erwin was nominated for an Oscar for his Supporting Actor performance.
|  | |
Pin Up Girl 1944 N/R, 83 min. Genre: Musical / Comedy aka: Pin-Up Girl
Director: H. Bruce Humberstone Cast: Betty Grable, John Harvey, Martha Raye, Joe E. Brown, Eugene Pallette, Dorothea Kent, Dave Willock, Condos Brothers, Charlie Spivak, Robert Homans, Skating Vanities, Marcel Dalio
In this World War II musical comedy, Lorry Jones (Betty Grable) falls in love with Naval hero Tommy Dooley (John Harvey) and finds that work as a USO entertainer enables her to follow Tommy and to become a star as well.
|  | |
Sweet Rosie O'Grady 1943 N/R, 74 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Irving Cummings Cast: Betty Grable, Robert Young, Adolphe Menjou, Reginald Gardiner, Virginia Grey, Phil Regan, Sig Ruman, Alan Dinehart, Hobart Cavanaugh, Jonathan Hale
This time around Tyrone Power takes on the role of the reporter who exposes the former burlesque queen, Rosie O'Grady (Betty Grable), when she tries to improve her station in life. Good music and talent make this film enjoyable fare. It was previously made as "Love Is News" and later remade as "That Wonderful Urge."
|  | |
That Lady in Ermine 1948 N/R, 89 min. Genre: Comedy
Director: Ernst Lubitsch, Otto Preminger Cast: Betty Grable, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Cesar Romero, Walter Abel, Reginald Gardiner, Harry Davenport, Virginia Campbell, Whit Bissell, Edmund MacDonald, Harry Cording
It's the mid-1800s and an invading force, led by Col. Karolyi (Douglas Fairbanks Jr.), takes over the castle of a ruling countess (Betty Grable). Karolyi falls in love with the countess, while she seeks advice from a deceased, female ancestor who dealt with a similar problem over 200 years ago. Not much here, but there are a few good songs. Director Lubitsch died shortly after the start of filming; Otto Preminger completed the film without credits.
|  | |
Three for the Show 1955 N/R, 93 min. Genre: Musical
Director: H.C. Potter Cast: Betty Grable, Marge Champion, Gower Champion, Jack Lemmon, Myron McCormick, Paul Harvey, Willard Waterman, Hal K. Dawson, Gene Wesson, Eugene Borden, Bess Flowers, Aileen Carlyle, Rudy Lee, Henry Slate, Robert Williams
Musical comedy star Julie (Betty Grable) is married to her dancing partner Vernon (Gower Champion) when–out of the blue–her "dead" husband Marty Stewart (Jack Lemmon) returns home from World War II. Now, Julie has two husbands, begins to like the idea, and chooses to stay with both while she decides which one she is more in love with.
|  | |
Tin Pan Alley 1940 N/R, 92 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Walter Lang Cast: Alice Faye, Betty Grable, Jack Oakie, John Payne, Allen Jenkins, Esther Ralston, Fred Keating, Billy Gilbert, Ben Carter, Elisha Cook Jr.
During 1915, songwriters Harry Calhoun (Jack Oakie) and Skeets Harrigan (John Payne) find success when they team up with singing sisters Katie (Alice Faye) and Lily Blane (Betty Grable). Then a rift develops when a new tune is given to a more famous singer, and the sisters leave for England. But Harry and Skeets soon enlist in the army, are shipped overseas, and find Katie and Lily in England. Excellent Academy Award-winning musical score.
|  | |
Wabash Avenue 1950 N/R, 92 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Henry Koster Cast: Betty Grable, Victor Mature, Phil Harris, Reginald Gardiner, James Barton, Barry Kelley, Margaret Hamilton, Irving Bacon, Jacqueline Dalya, Charles Arnt
Set during the 1892 Chicago World's Fair, this remake of 1943's "Coney Island" features Victor Mature and Phil Harris as the partners in a dance hall who vie for the attentions of burlesque queen Ruby Summers (Betty Grable).
|  | |
When My Baby Smiles at Me 1948 N/R, 98 min. Genre: Musical
Director: Walter Lang Cast: Betty Grable, Dan Dailey, Jack Oakie, June Havoc, James Gleason, Richard Arlen, Robert Emmett Keane, Jean Wallace, George J. Lewis, J. Farrell MacDonald
Dan Dailey was nominated for the Academy Award for his role in this film about a team (Betty Grable and Dailey) who break up but get back together via the stage.
|  | |
A Yank in the R.A.F. 1941 N/R, 98 min. Genre: Drama
Director: Henry King Cast: Tyrone Power, Betty Grable, John Sutton, Reginald Gardiner, Donald Stuart, Ralph Byrd, Richard Fraser, Denis Green, Bruce Lester, Lester Matthews
Tim (Tyrone Power), a U.S. pilot, flew planes to Canada and then ferried them to Britain before the U.S.'s entrance into World War II, thus helping arm Britain. Tim has a cocky attitude and does not appreciate the war effort. While in London, he meets ex-girlfriend Carol (Betty Grable), and she isn't pleased with his cavalier attitude about the war. To show his dedication, he joins the R.A.F. Great combat footage, which earned an Oscar nomination for Special Effects. One of Power's better efforts.
|  | |
| 1. The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend (1949)
2. Call Me Mister (1951)
3. College Swing (1938)
4. Coney Island (1943)
5. Diamond Horseshoe (1945) aka: Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe
6. The Dolly Sisters (1945)
7. Down Argentine Way (1940)
8. The Farmer Takes a Wife (1953)
9. The Gay Divorcee (1934)
10. Give Me a Sailor (1938)
11. Greeks Had a Word for Them (1932) aka: Three Broadway Girls
12. Hold 'Em Jail (1932)
13. How to Be Very, Very Popular (1955)
14. How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
15. I Wake Up Screaming (1942) aka: Hot Spot
16. The Kid from Spain (1932)
17. Meet Me After the Show (1951)
18. Million Dollar Legs (1939)
19. Moon Over Miami (1941)
20. Mother Wore Tights (1947)
21. My Blue Heaven (1950)
22. Palmy Days (1931)
23. Pigskin Parade (1936)
24. Pin Up Girl (1944) aka: Pin-Up Girl
25. Sweet Rosie O'Grady (1943)
26. That Lady in Ermine (1948)
27. Three for the Show (1955)
28. Tin Pan Alley (1940)
29. Wabash Avenue (1950)
30. When My Baby Smiles at Me (1948)
31. A Yank in the R.A.F. (1941)
In The News
|