Let's Be Happy

Let's Be Happy

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	1957 (1957)
Founder	Henry Levin (director)
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Products	Musical film

Let's Be Happy is a 1957 British musical film presented in Technicolor and CinemaScope, directed by Henry Levin and featuring performances by Tony Martin, Vera-Ellen, and Robert Flemyng. The screenplay, crafted by Dorothy Cooper and Diana Morgan, serves as a modernized adaptation of the 1941 motion picture Jeannie, which itself was derived from Aimée Stuart's theatrical play Jeannie.

This production represents the concluding film role for Vera-Ellen, who retired from the public eye following personal hardships. It also marks Tony Martin's final appearance in a musical film, although he made a brief return to cinema in the 1982 movie Dear Mr. Wonderful.

Let's Be Happy had its debut screening in London on 9 May 1957.

Plot

Jeannie McLean, a 28-year-old woman from rural Vermont, inherits a modest legacy from her Scottish-born grandfather and chooses to travel to Scotland, the land of her ancestors.

Throughout her trip by airplane and train, she repeatedly crosses paths with Stanley Smith, an affable washing-machine salesman hailing from Idaho. Despite initial reservations due to her grandfather's cautious nature, Jeannie accepts Stanley's assistance as she navigates travel difficulties such as turbulence and customs procedures.

Upon arriving in Edinburgh during the Edinburgh International Festival, Jeannie finds her planned accommodations unavailable and seeks Stanley’s aid. While he organizes a place for her to stay, impoverished landowner Lord James MacNairn overhears their conversation, mistakenly assuming Jeannie is wealthy, and introduces himself.

After discovering that Stanley fabricated a story about dining with another woman, Jeannie ends their acquaintance and agrees to James’ romantic advances. Together they explore Edinburgh; Jeannie enhances her look by visiting a beauty salon and purchasing an elegant designer dress.

Stanley continues to follow Jeannie along with a French model, attending events where she appears with James, but Jeannie declines his invitations.

James takes Jeannie to visit Loch Lomond, attend a family wedding, and tour his ancestral castle—though he resides only in a small section while the remainder is open to visitors. He proposes marriage; before she can respond, Stanley arrives. Jeannie reveals her engagement, prompting an upset Stanley to leave.

James confesses that although he initially pursued Jeannie for her money, his feelings have become sincere. Upon learning she has spent her modest inheritance, Jeannie rejects him.

Back in Vermont, Stanley finds Jeannie after achieving significant sales success. He proposes once more, and this time she accepts.

Cast

• Vera-Ellen as Jeannie MacLean (singing voice provided by Joan Small)
• Tony Martin as Stanley Smith
• Robert Flemyng as Lord James MacNairn
• Zena Marshall as Helene
• Helen Horton as Sadie Whitelaw
• Beckett Bould as Rev. MacDonald
• Alfred Burke as French Ticket Clerk
• Vernon Greeves as First Air France Steward
• Richard Molinas as Bearded Man
• Eugene Deckers as Diner Car Attendant
• Russell Waters as Hotel Reception Clerk
• Paul Young as Page Boy, Bobby
• Peter Sinclair as MacTavish
• Magda Miller as Mrs. MacTavish
• Brian Oulton as Hotel Valet
• Guy Middleton as Mr. Fielding
• Katherine Kath as Mrs. Fielding
• Charles Carson as Mr. Ferguson, Lawyer
• Jock McKay as Elderly Dancer
• Michael Anthony as Monsieur Fior
• Jameson Clark as MacPhail
• Eric Pohlmann as Customs Official
• Carl Duering as Customs Inspector
• Molly Weir as Flower Girl
• Ewan Roberts as Hotel Porter
• Jean Cadell as Mrs. Cathie
• Gordon Jackson as Dougal MacLean

Production

On-location shooting took place in Edinburgh and various other sites across Scotland, as well as in Paris. Additionally, Thirlestane Castle was used to depict Lord James' estate.

Reception

The movie did not achieve strong financial results at the box office.