Delightfully Dangerous * (1945, Jane Powell, Ralph Bellamy, Constance Moore, Morton Gould, Arthur Treacher, Louise Beavers) – Classic Movie Review 11,587

Director Arthur Lubin’s 1945 Delightfully Dangerous is the teenage singer Jane Powell’s second feature film, following her debut in Song of the Open Road (1944). It co-stars Ralph Bellamy and Constance Moore, and also features orchestra leader Morton Gould.

Powell plays young high school music student Sherry Williams, who thinks her stripper sister Jo (Constance Moore) is a Broadway actress star, in this dull, obvious and slackly handled musical comedy.

Powell’s singing and Ralph Bellamy’s nimble-footed performance as the famed Broadway musical producer Arthur Hale, who helps them both, are the main compensations.

The story and co-screenplay are Frank Tashlin’s first writing credit on a live-action feature. Walter DeLeon and Arthur Phillips were borrowed from Paramount to rewrite the screenplay. The bandleader Morton Gould arrived in Hollywood in July 1944 to write songs for the film, while Eddie Heyman wrote the lyrics. Gould plays himself in the movie and Powell recalled he was miserable during filming because he had not a movie before and was very self conscious. Powell wrote in her memoirs that Ralph Bellamy ‘said time and time again: “That was the worst movie I ever made.” And I’m inclined to agree. But I didn’t know it wasn’t a good film. I had a good time making it.’

Powell was again on loan out to United Artists from her new studio MGM, who obviously did not know what to do with her.

The cast are Jane Powell as Sherry Williams, Ralph Bellamy as Arthur Hale, Constance Moore as Jo Williams / Bubbles Barton, Morton Gould as Bandleader, Arthur Treacher as Hale’s butler Jeffers, Louise Beavers as Jo’s maid Hannah, Ruth Tobey as Sherry’s roommate Molly Bradley, Ruth Robinson, André Charlot, Shirley Hunter Williams and Chris Drake.

RIP the MGM soprano girl-next-door star Jane Powell.

Jane Powell (born Suzanne Lorraine Burce; April 1, 1929 – September 16, 2021) was notable for her performances in A Date with Judy (1948), Royal Wedding (1951), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), and Hit the Deck (1955).

Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 11,587

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