CONEY ISLAND US, 1943, 96 minutes, Colour.
Betty Grable, George Montgomery, Cesar Romero, Charles Winninger, Phil Silvers.
Directed by Walter Lang.
Coney Island is one of the big, colourful musicals designed for Bette Grable in the early '40s. It was written by George Seaton, later to become a distinguished director (Miracle on 34th Street, The Country Girl). Betty Grable is her usual, bright self. Regulars at 20th Century Fox, George Montgomery and Cesar Romero, are the heroes. Phil Silvers has a chance to be a pleasant buddy. There are a lot of old favourite songs of the turn of the century, colourful recreation of Coney Island and its entertainment, colourful stage shows. Choreography is by Fred Astaire's choreographer, Hermes Pan, who appears with Betty in the grand finale. The film was remade, again with Betty Grable, as Wabash Avenue in 1950.
1. The colourful musical comedies of 20th Century Fox in the '40s? In their time? Now?
2. Colour photography, re-creation of period, costumes and decor, the atmosphere of Coney Island, carnivals, stage shows?
3. The musical score - the old favourites and their rendition, Coney Island, songs for the film? Dancing?
4. The focus on Ernie and Joe? Their growing up together, conning each other, Joe's success, Ernie as a rival? Their continued rivalry? Setting up the show with the Turkish dancers? Joe getting the toughs to knock it down? Ernie causing the brawl in Joe's establishment? Their regard for Katie? The trick about Katie's audition with Hammerstein? Joe's revenge by the money man coming to the wedding? Their success in their professions? Friendship and rivalry? The confrontation with Katie -and the happy ending? Joe accepting that he was coming in second? Popular American heroes of this kind of musical comedy?
5. Betty Grable and her style as Katie, her raucous singing and dancing, her clothes, love for Joe? Ernie and his telling her off, criticising her dress, handcuffing her for her song? Changing her style and getting an audience? her falling in love with him? Her missing the audition? Turning against him? His changing heart and playing the piano for her? The marriage - and her loss of faith in him? Her success? The truth and the happy ending? Conventional heroine?
6. Phil Silvers and his comic style as the put-upon buddy, comic songs, one-liners?
7. Finnegan and his singing Irish favourites, his drinking, hurt in the brawl, pretending to be dead, his return?
8. The staging of the songs and dances?. Burlesque style with Dolly? Theatre style with Katie? The lavish sets and choreography?
9. The familiar American styles of heroes and heroines?
good and bad, success?
