 Alice in Wonderland 1983  TV, 90 min.
Genre: Family / Fantasy
Director: Kirk Browning
Cast: Kate Burton, Richard Burton, Colleen Dewhurst, Donald O'Connor, Geoffrey Holder, Austin Pendleton, Maureen Stapleton, Zeljko Ivanek, Nathan Lane, Fritz Weaver
The Broadway revival production was staged for the TV cameras in this telling of the classic story. Highlight: well-known cast.
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Anything Goes 1956 N/R, 100 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Robert Lewis
Cast: Bing Crosby, Donald O'Connor, Jeanmaire, Mitzi Gaynor, Phil Harris, Kurt Kasznar, Richard Erdman, Walter Sande, Argentina Brunetti, Dorothy Neumann
This musical is a remake of the 1936 film in which Bing Crosby also starred. Bill Benson (Crosby) and Ted Adams (Donald O'Connor) head for Europe on vacation and find two leading ladies (Mitzi Gaynor and Jeanmaire) for their upcoming production.
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Beau Geste 1939   N/R, 114 min.
Genre: Action / Adventure / Drama
Director: William A. Wellman
Cast: Gary Cooper, Donald O'Connor, Ray Milland, Robert Preston, J. Carrol Naish, Susan Hayward, Charles Barton, Brian Donlevy, Albert Dekker, Broderick Crawford, James Stephenson, Heather Thatcher, James Burke, G.P. Huntley, Harold Huber
The Geste brothers–Beau (Gary Cooper), John (Ray Milland), and Digby (Robert Preston)–flee the country after Beau takes the blame for the theft of a family jewel that their aunt, Lady Brandon (Heather Thatcher) stole. They join the French Foreign Legion where Beau and John end up under the leadership of brutal Sergeant Markoff (Brian Donlevy). Tragedies ensue when the Arabs attack, and Beau is seriously wounded. Unbeknownst to the brothers, Markoff believes that Beau has the family jewel in his possession and searches Beau for the jewel. Beau kills Markoff and then dies. By story's end, John is the only surviving brother, and he returns home to give his aunt a note from Beau explaining why he ran away. Brian Donlevy received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
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Call Me Madam 1953  N/R, 114 min.
Genre: Musical / Romance
Director: Walter Lang
Cast: Ethel Merman, Donald O'Connor, Vera-Ellen, George Sanders, Billy De Wolfe, Helmut Dantine, Walter Slezak, Steven Geray, Ludwig Stossel, Lilia Skala, Percy Helton, Charles Dingle, Emory Parnell, John Wengraf, Frank Gerstle
In this film adaptation of Irving Berlin's Broadway musical, Sally Adams (Ethel Merman)–"the hostess with the mostess"–is the U.S. Ambassador to Lichtenburg. While serving as ambassador, Sally falls in love with Foreign Minister Cosmo Constantine (George Sanders). Meanwhile, Sally's press attache, Kenneth Gibson (Donald O'Connor), attracts Princess Maria (Vera-Ellen). Songs of note in this celebrated film include "You're Just in Love" and "It's a Lovely Day Today." An Oscar was received for Best Musical Score.
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Cry for Happy 1961  N/R, 110 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: George Marshall
Cast: Glenn Ford, Donald O'Connor, Miiko Taka, James Shigeta, Miyoshi Umeki, Howard St. John, Joe Flynn, Ted Knight, Nancy Kovack, Harlan Warde
Four U.S. Navy photographers help four beautiful Geisha girls establish an orphanage in Japan.
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Curtain Call at Cactus Creek 1950 N/R, 84 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Charles Lamont
Cast: Donald O'Connor, Gale Storm, Walter Brennan, Vincent Price, Eve Arden, Chick Chandler, Joe Sawyer, Harry Shannon, Rex Lease, I. Stanford Jolley
Stagehand Edward Timmons (Donald O'Connor) is a would-be actor who gains fame and the chance to act after he nabs a criminal hiding out in his theatrical troupe.
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Double Crossbones 1951 N/R, 75 min.
Genre: Comedy / Musical / Adventure
Director: Charles Barton
Cast: Donald O'Connor, Helena Carter, Will Geer, John Emery, Stanley Logan, Kathryn Givney, Hayden Rorke, Morgan Farley, Hope Emerson, Charles McGraw, Alan Napier, Robert Barrat, Glenn Strange, Gregg Martell, Jeff Chandler
After being wrongly accused of piracy, 18th-century shopkeeper apprentice Dave Crandall (Donald O'Connor) takes refuge on a pirate boat and, through a series of unlikely events, earns the reputation as the most dangerous pirate sailing the world's seas.
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Francis 1949 N/R, 91 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Arthur Lubin
Cast: Donald O'Connor, Patricia Medina, Zasu Pitts, Tony Curtis, Ray Collins, Chill Wills, John McIntire, Eduard Franz, Howland Chamberlin, Frank Faylen
A West Point cadet (Donald O'Connor) discovers that the mule Francis (voice of Chill Wills) can talk, and Francis manages to get the cadet into all sorts of trouble. First in a series of seven "Francis" films.
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Francis Covers the Big Town 1953 N/R, 86 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Arthur Lubin
Cast: Donald O'Connor, Yvette Dugay, Gene Lockhart, Nancy Guild, Larry Gates, Lowell Gilmore, William Harrigan, Gale Gordon, Chill Wills
Peter Stirling (Donald O'Connor) and his talking mule, Francis (voice of Chill Wills), take a job at the newspaper and before long they are in the middle of a murder trial.
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Francis Goes to the Races 1951 N/R, 88 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Arthur Lubin
Cast: Donald O'Connor, Piper Laurie, Cecil Kellaway, Jesse White, Barry Kelley, Hayden Rorke, Vaughn Taylor, Larry Keating, Don Beddoe, Chill Wills
Peter Stirling (Donald O'Connor) and his talking mule, Francis (voice of Chill Wills), get involved in the horse-breeding game in this Francis entry. While Peter falls for the boss' niece (Piper Laurie) and Francis coaches a sorry excuse for a racehorse to win the big race, they have time to take care of some gangsters.
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Francis Goes to West Point 1952 N/R, 81 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Arthur Lubin
Cast: Donald O'Connor, Lori Nelson, Alice Kelley, Gregg Palmer, Les Tremayne, Otto Hulett, David Janssen, Paul Burke, Leonard Nimoy, Chill Wills
In this Francis episode, Peter Stirling (Donald O'Connor) and his talking mule, Francis (voice of Chill Wills), head to West Point where Francis has his hands full keeping Peter out of trouble. Look for Leonard Nimoy as a football player.
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Francis in the Navy 1955 N/R, 80 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Arthur Lubin
Cast: Donald O'Connor, Martha Hyer, Clint Eastwood, Jim Backus, Richard Erdman, David Janssen, Leigh Snowden, Martin Milner, Paul Burke, Chill Wills
This is the fifth sequel to the original "Francis" movie. In this one, Francis (the talking mule) takes on the Navy single-hoofed. This is a fun family movie.
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Francis Joins the WACs 1954 N/R, 95 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Arthur Lubin
Cast: Donald O'Connor, Julie Adams, Chill Wills, Mamie Van Doren, Lynn Bari, Zasu Pitts, Joan Shawlee, Allison Hayes, Mara Corday, Olan Soule
A military mistake causes Peter Stirling (Donald O'Connor) to be sent to an all-female WAC base where he is reunited with old pal Francis the talking mule (voice of Chill Wills). Predictable, but fun. Wills also plays the role of the General.
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I Love Melvin 1953 N/R, 76 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Don Weis
Cast: Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Una Merkel, Richard Anderson, Jim Backus, Robert Taylor, Allyn Joslyn, Les Tremayne, Barbara Ruick, Howard Keel
A would-be photographer (Donald O'Connor) for "Look" magazine pretends to be a man with important connections in order to make an impression on a young chorus girl (Debbie Reynolds).
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Men with Wings 1938 N/R, 105 min.
Genre: Adventure
Director: William A. Wellman
Cast: Fred MacMurray, Ray Milland, Louise Campbell, Andy Devine, Walter Abel, Virginia Weidler, Donald O'Connor, Lynne Overman, Porter Hall, Kitty Kelly
Look for a young Donald O'Connor as one of the boys shown as the film begins in this story about two fliers (Ray Milland and Fred MacMurray) who both love the same woman (Louise Campbell).
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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.
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On Your Toes 1939 N/R, 93 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Ray Enright
Cast: Vera Zorina, Eddie Albert, Alan Hale, Frank McHugh, James Gleason, Donald O'Connor, Leonid Kinskey, Queenie Smith, Berton Churchill, Irving Bacon
Although this film is loosely based on the Rogers and Hart musical, not much of the original Broadway show remains. Phil Dolan Jr. (Eddie Albert) is a composer who endures a long romance with ballerina Vera (Vera Zorina).
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Out to Sea 1997 PG-13, 109 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Martha Coolidge
Cast: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau, Dyan Cannon, Gloria DeHaven, Brent Spiner, Elaine Stritch, Hal Linden, Donald O'Connor, Edward Mulhare, Rue McClanahan
Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau work together again–this time as Herb Sullivan and Charlie Gordon who are professional dance partners for women passengers on a cruise ship. This is their seventh film together, and Lemmon/Matthau fans will not be disappointed.
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Pandemonium 1982  PG, 82 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Alfred Sole
Cast: Tom Smothers, Judge Reinhold, Carol Kane, Miles Chapin, Marc McClure, Paul Reubens, Tab Hunter, Donald O'Connor, Eve Arden, Eileen Brennan
Bambi's Cheerleading School is the setting for this tasteless take-off on horror movies showing innocent young girls murdered. A slasher is on the loose, and he seems to prefer cheerleading camps as his hunting ground–guess where he is going to appear next?!? Occasionally funny.
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Private Buckaroo 1942 N/R, 68 min.
Genre: Musical / Comedy
Director: Edward F. Cline
Cast: The Andrews Sisters, Dick Foran, Joe E. Lewis, Jennifer Holt, Shemp Howard, Ernest Truex, Harry James, Mary Wickes, Donald O'Connor, Richard Davies, Peggy Ryan, Huntz Hall
During basic training, Army recruits visit the USO where they are entertained by the Andrews Sisters and bandleader Harry James.
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Ragtime 1981 PG, 156 min.
Genre: Drama
Director: Milos Forman
Cast: James Cagney, Brad Dourif, Moses Gunn, Elizabeth McGovern, Howard E. Rollins Jr., Debbie Allen, Kenneth McMillan, Pat O'Brien, Donald O'Connor, Mandy Patinkin, James Olson, Mary Steenburgen, Jeffrey DeMunn, Robert Joy, Norman Mailer
This story about New York, circa 1900, provides historical insights into four families of that era. In one story, millionaire Harry Kendall Thaw (Robert Joy) murders architect Stanford White (Norman Mailer) who is having an affair with Thaw's wife, showgirl Evelyn (Elizabeth McGovern). Another plot involves immigrant artist Tateh (Mandy Patinkin) who becomes a successful, Hollywood director. Howard E. Rollins Jr. stars in another subplot as a Black man, Coalhouse Walker Jr., who is romancing a White, pregnant woman (Debbie Allen) living in the home of a mother and father (Mary Steenburgen and James Olson). Walker turns to rage when a racist fire chief (Kenneth McMillan) destroys his car. And, of course, there is James Cagney, returning to films after a retirement of 20 years in the role of Police Commissioner Waldo. The film received eight Oscar nominations, including Best Supporting Actor (Howard E. Rollins, Jr.) and Supporting Actress (Elizabeth McGovern).
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Sing, You Sinners 1938 N/R, 88 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Wesley Ruggles
Cast: Bing Crosby, Fred MacMurray, Ellen Drew, Donald O'Connor, Elizabeth Patterson, John Gallaudet, William Haade, Irving Bacon, Tom Dugan
When Joe Beebe (Bing Crosby) wheels and deals his way to ownership of a racehorse, the whole Beebe family joins in the act by following "their" horse from track to track.
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 Singin' in the Rain 1952   N/R, 102 min.
Genre: Comedy / Musical / Romance
Director: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
Cast: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Rita Moreno, Cyd Charisse, Douglas Fowley, Millard Mitchell, Madge Blake, King Donovan, Kathleen Freeman, Mae Clarke, Stuart Holmes
This is the film featuring Gene Kelly's memorable dance through the rain-splattered street. Kelly plays 1927's silent film star Don Lockwood who has teamed up professionally with Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen), but he prefers spending his personal time with aspiring actress Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds). Now, Don and Lina are set to film their first talkie. Don has no problems, while Lina's shrill voice does not adapt to the microphone. Don finds the solution to the problem by dubbing in Kathy's voice to replace Lina's. This film represents one of the best musicals ever. The songs include "Singin' in the Rain," "You were Meant for Me," "You are My Lucky Star," and "The Broadway Melody." Jean Hagen was nominated for an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress. 1 User Review
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| | As Good as it Gets | 1fatts 07/22/2007 | The script is funny. The music is great. The Gene Kelly/Donald O'Connor dancing duets are magic. Debbie Reynolds looks younger than Princess Leia ever did. Jean Hagen steals every scene she is in -- Steals it? She picks it up, tucks it under her arm and carries it away.
Best Line: "I make more money than Calvin Coolidge . . . put together!"
Favorite Trivia: At the end of the film, Debbie Reynolds is supposedly dubbing a song which the Jean Hagen character is mouthing because she cannot sing. In reality, in this one song in the film, Debbie Reynolds is being dubbed by . . . Jean Hagen!
This one is on everyone's list of top ten musicals ever made. But if you know anything about movies, you already know that. |
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That Funny Feeling 1965 N/R, 93 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Richard Thorpe
Cast: Sandra Dee, Bobby Darin, Donald O'Connor, Nita Talbot, Larry Storch, Leo G. Carroll, James Westerfield, Robert Strauss, Ben Lessy, Benny Rubin
In an attempt to impress her wealthy NYC boyfriend, Tom (Bobby Darin), maid-for-hire Joan (Sandra Dee) tells him that she lives in a beautiful apartment that, in reality, she is paid to clean. What Joan doesn't know is that the apartment belongs to Tom. Tom plays along.
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That's Entertainment! 1974 G, 127 min.
Genre: Family / Musical / Documentary
Director: Jack Haley Jr.
Cast: Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly, Peter Lawford, Debbie Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor, James Stewart, Liza Minnelli, Donald O'Connor, Frank Sinatra, Mickey Rooney, June Allyson, Ray Bolger, Cyd Charisse, Maurice Chevalier
This entertaining film contains classics from M.G.M. movies over a 29-year period from 1929 to 1958 and includes many stars as hosts.
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 There's No Business Like Show Business 1954 N/R, 117 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Walter Lang
Cast: Ethel Merman, Marilyn Monroe, Donald O'Connor, Dan Dailey, Johnnie Ray, Mitzi Gaynor, Hugh O'Brian, Frank McHugh, Rhys Williams, Lyle Talbot
Filled with Irving Berlin songs, this is a delightful musical about a vaudeville family and their roles in show business.
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 Toys 1992 PG-13, 122 min.
Genre: Comedy
Director: Barry Levinson
Cast: Robin Williams, Michael Gambon, Joan Cusack, Robin Wright Penn, LL Cool J, Donald O'Connor, Arthur Malet, Jack Warden, Debi Mazar, Jamie Foxx
When his father dies, Leslie Zevo (Robin Williams) fights his uncle (Michael Gambon) who wants to turn the family toy company into a munitions factory. This film has the right elements in Robin Williams and Barry Levinson, but it just does not make the grade.
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Walking My Baby Back Home 1953 N/R, 94 min.
Genre: Musical
Director: Lloyd Bacon
Cast: Donald O'Connor, Janet Leigh, Buddy Hackett, Lori Nelson, Scatman Crothers, Kathleen Lockhart, George Cleveland, John Hubbard, Walter Kingsford, Sidney Miller
Three ex-GIs form a Dixieland jazz band in this musical comedy that is saved by Buddy Hackett antics.
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| 1. Alice in Wonderland (1983)
2. Anything Goes (1956)
3. Beau Geste (1939)
4. Call Me Madam (1953)
5. Cry for Happy (1961)
6. Curtain Call at Cactus Creek (1950)
7. Double Crossbones (1951)
8. Francis (1949)
9. Francis Covers the Big Town (1953)
10. Francis Goes to the Races (1951)
11. Francis Goes to West Point (1952)
12. Francis in the Navy (1955)
13. Francis Joins the WACs (1954)
14. I Love Melvin (1953)
15. Men with Wings (1938)
16. Million Dollar Legs (1939)
17. On Your Toes (1939)
18. Out to Sea (1997)
19. Pandemonium (1982)
20. Private Buckaroo (1942)
21. Ragtime (1981)
22. Sing, You Sinners (1938)
23. Singin' in the Rain (1952)
24. That Funny Feeling (1965)
25. That's Entertainment! (1974)
26. There's No Business Like Show Business (1954)
27. Toys (1992)
28. Walking My Baby Back Home (1953)
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