Happy Go Lovely

Happy Go Lovely

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	1951 (1951)
Founder	H. Bruce Humberstone (director)
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Musical comedy film
Parent	Marcel Hellman Productions

Happy Go Lovely is a 1951 British musical comedy film presented in Technicolor, directed by H. Bruce Humberstone and featuring performances by Vera-Ellen, David Niven, and Cesar Romero. Produced under Marcel Hellman Productions, the movie premiered in the UK and was later distributed across the United States by RKO Radio Pictures in 1952. With a production budget of $1 million, it earned £230,845 at the UK box office.

Plot

Janet Jones, a chorus girl, is given a lift by Bates, the chauffeur of affluent B. G. Bruno, which leads to speculation that she is engaged to Scotland’s wealthiest individual. Facing financial difficulties after his leading lady departs, American producer John Frost casts Janet in his show Frolics to You, hoping that Bruno’s involvement will either secure investment or lend credibility to attract other financiers. To deepen the illusion, Janet’s dressmaker sends Bruno a bill for her costumes, an act encouraged by Janet’s roommate Mae Thompson.

When Bruno receives the invoice and visits the theatre to investigate, Janet mistakes him for journalist Paul Tracy. Finding amusement in the misunderstanding, Bruno plays along with the deception, and romance develops between them. Eventually, he offers Frost £10,000 to help fund the production. Upon discovering this, Janet admits the truth.

On the opening night, Bruno attends despite police arriving to detain him for impersonation charges. Amidst the ensuing confusion, Janet professes her love for him. The police inspector then identifies Bruno correctly, leading to a favorable resolution for everyone involved.

Cast

• David Niven as B.G. Bruno
• Vera-Ellen as Janet Jones
• Eve Boswell as Janet's Singing Voice
• Cesar Romero as John Frost
• Bobby Howes as Charlie, Frost's Assistant
• Diane Hart as Mae
• Gordon Jackson as Paul Tracy
• Barbara Couper as Madame Amanda
• Henry Hewitt as Dodds, Bruno's Assistant
• Gladys Henson as Mrs. Urquhart, Landlady to Janet and Mae
• Hugh Dempster as Bates
• Sandra Dorne as Betty
• Joyce Carey as Secretary to Bruno
• John Laurie as Jonskill, Creditor
• Wylie Watson as Stage Door Keeper
• Joan Heal as Phyllis Gardiner, Former Star
• Hector Ross as Harold
• Ambrosine Phillpotts as Lady Martin
• Molly Urquhart as Assistant to Madame Amanda

Production

Funding for the film was provided by Peter Rathvorn, Associated British, and the National Film Finance Corporation. Principal photography commenced in May 1950 at Associated British's Elstree Studios. Initially, Rober Lennard was announced to direct.

Reception

The movie achieved strong box office results within Britain and was classified as a "notable performer" in 1951 by Kinematograph Weekly.

Musical numbers

1. "MacIntosh's Wedding" – Performed vocally by Joan Heal; danced by Vera-Ellen and Chorus
2. "One-Two-Three" – Vocals and dance by Vera-Ellen (voice dubbed by Eve Boswell) and Chorus
3. "London Town" – Dance sequence featuring Vera-Ellen and Chorus
4. "Would You - Could You?" – Sung and danced by Vera-Ellen (dubbed vocally by Eve Boswell)

See also

• And Who Is Kissing Me? (1933)
• Paradise for Two (1937)
• List of films in the public domain in the United States

Further reading

• Craddock, Jim (2005). Videohound's Golden Movie Retriever. Farmington Hills, Michigan: Thomson Gale. ISBN 978-0-7876-7470-0.
• Martin, Mick, and Marsha Porter (2003). DVD & Video Guide 2004. New York: Ballantine Books. ISBN 978-0-345-44994-8.
• Mundy, John (2007). The British musical film. Manchester: Manchester University Press. ISBN 978-0-7190-6320-6.
• Tuska, Jon (1991). Encounters with Filmmakers: Eight Career Studies. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-313-26305-7.
• Film section in Kine Weekly, 31 May 1951