MUSIC FOR MILLIONS

US, 1944, 117 minutes, Black and white.
Margaret O'Brien, June Allyson, Jose Iturbi, Jimmy Durante, Marsha Hunt, Hugh Herbert, Henry Davenport, Connie Gilchrist.
Directed by Henry Koster.

Music for Millions was a popular film of 1944, a production with many stars and the use of classical to entertain American audiences. It was also a piece of propaganda, a focus on the women who waited at home, on their men away in the Pacific and in Europe. Comparisons can be made with such war sagas as Since You Went Away.

Henry Koster directed many Deanna Durbin films. In fact, Jimmy Durante's reluctance to sing in this film is a direct parallel with Deanna Durbin's reluctance to sing and then perform in First Love.

The film focuses on Margaret O'Brien who had a strong screen presence. June Allyson is her usual romantic and tearful self. Jimmy Durante adds comedy. Jose Iturbi conducts and plays the piano with great skill.

The film's screenplay by Myles Connelly was nominated for an Oscar - a sign of popularity in 1944.

1. Popular war film, music, sentiment?

2. M.G.M. production values, the presence of the stars and their contribution sentiment?

3. Production values: gloss, black and white photography? The music and the excerpts, the classical music and the selection, the Hallelujah Chorus?

4. Margaret O'Brien as Mike: her screen presence, audience response to her? Arrival at the station, her sulkiness, eagerness to be helped, going to the concert, devoted to Barbara, going on stage, interrupting the concert? Her letter arriving late? Befriended by the women in the orchestra? Allowed to stay in the boarding house and remaining hidden? The devices to keep her hidden, travelling, the orchestra? Her dislike of Andrews? The clash with Jose Iturbi, his shrewd resolution and asking her help at performances?, The concern about Barbara, learning that she was going to have the baby, her prayer and going to church? Looking through the bag and the telegram incident, the clash with the other woman? The build-up to the birth? The happy ending?

5. Barbara and, her marriage, wanting letters from her husband, her pregnancy? Mike giving her a seat during performances, her love for her sister, relationship with the friends in the orchestra, their hiding her, the arrival of the letter, the birth of the baby?

6. Jose Iturbi and his musical skill, conducting, performance? clashes with Mike, the help to Barbara, his working with Andrews, allowing Andrews to perform in his stead, for the orchestra? The concerts for the troops?

7. Jimmy Durante and his comic style, presence, relationship with Mike the clashes, his singing for the troops? The discussions about babies?

8. The girls in the orchestra, as a group, as individuals, Marsha and her concern, hiding the telegram and its consequent tensions, Marie Wilson and her daffy style?

9. The uncle and his being in jail, wanting money, being persuaded to write the letter - and the irony that he forgot?

10. The importance of the letter, the truth?

11. Propaganda for American audiences, entertainment of the troops, humane, sentimental, humorous? A film of 1944?