THREE LITTLE GIRLS IN BLUE

US, 1946, 90 minutes, Colour.
June Haver, George Montgomery, Vivian Blaine, Celeste Holm, Vera- Ellen, Frank Latimore, Charles Smith, Charles Halton.
Directed by Bruce Humberstone.

Moon Over Miami and Three Little Girls in Blue are remakes of a romantic comedy of 1938, Three Blind Mice, with Loretta Young, Joel McCrea? and David Niven.

Moon over Miami and Three Little Girls in Blue are musical versions of the story of sisters looking for rich husbands. Walter Lang, director of many musicals directed Moon Over Miami. The film is an early Betty Grable vehicle and she performs with verve. Don Ameche and Robert Cummings are the suave heroes. Carole Landis is the sister and Charlotte Greenwood is enjoyable as their aunt. Jack Haley also has a role. There are a number of songs including 'You Started Something'. Obviously, Miami is the location for the fortune-hunting.

The story was remade five years later as Three Little Girls in Blue by H. Bruce Humberstone, a director of many Fox musicals. This time there are three sisters, June Haver, Vera-Ellen? and Vivian Blaine. The men have less of the spotlight. There are quite a number of songs and dances including 'You Make Me Feel So Young' with a fantasy sequence. A highlight of this version is Celeste Holm as a Southern Belle in her first film. (While the main action is in Atlantic City at the turn of the century, the visit to the southern homestead and the hunt are very reminiscent of Mame.)

The plot was also used in The Greeks Had A Word For Them which was remade as How To Marry A Millionaire.

The story is that of the American Dream: wealthy marriages - but ultimately true love.

1. The style of 20th Century Fox musicals in the 1940s? With stars like Betty Grable, June Haver, Vivian Blaine, Vera-Ellen?

2. Colour photography and chocolate-box style? The musicals scores? The singing, dancing?

3. The plot and its re-use - perennial and in danger of being creaky?

4. The importance of the stars, their personalities and presence, songs and dances?

5. The sisters and their background, coming into money, the plan to go to the city, the deception? The focus on each of the sisters?

6. The hotel, society, potential husbands? Living in high style, meals, dancing, swing music?

7. The deception and the farcical elements, girls and their longings, brooding, comedy?

8. The various mix-ups? People not in love in danger of marrying?

9. Everything being sorted out and true love prevailing?

10. The morality of the American Dream, success, money – but true love?