Footlight Serenade is a 1942 musical comedy film directed by Gregory Ratoff, starring Betty Grable, John Payne, and Victor Mature.[2]

Footlight Serenade
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGregory Ratoff
Screenplay byRobert Ellis
Helen Logan
Lynn Starling
Story byFidel LaBarba
Kenneth Earl
Produced byWilliam LeBaron
StarringJohn Payne
Betty Grable
Victor Mature
Jane Wyman
CinematographyLee Garmes
Edited byRobert L. Simpson
Music byCharles Henderson
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • August 1, 1942 (1942-08-01)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1.4 million (US rentals)[1]

Plot

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Tommy Lundy is an arrogant champion boxer who is hired by Broadway promoter Bruce McKay to star in a stage act, which will include singing, dancing, a comedian called Slap and a boxing exhibition. Tommy makes sure his girlfriend, singer Estelle Evans, gets the female lead in the role, but he falls in love with dancer Pat Lambert, who becomes Estelle's understudy.

Pat is engaged to Bill Smith, who ends up with a small part in the show. They get married but keep it a secret so as not to irk Tommy and cause him to quit the show. Estelle becomes jealous of Tommy's attentions to her and tips him off that Pat and Bill were seen checking into a hotel.

During the boxing portion of the stage act, Tommy begins punching Bill for real. In between blows, Bill explains that he and Pat are now husband and wife. Tommy accepts this graciously, then he and Bill both take turns smacking Slap instead.[3]

Cast

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Soundtrack

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  • Except with You (uncredited). Music by Ralph Rainger. Lyrics by Leo Robin. Sung by Cobina Wright
  • Are You Kiddin'? (uncredited). Music by Ralph Rainger. Lyrics by Leo Robin. Sung and danced by Betty Grable
  • I'm Still Crazy for You (uncredited). Music by Ralph Rainger. Lyrics by Leo Robin. Sung by Betty Grable and John Payne
  • Land on Your Feet (uncredited). Music by Ralph Rainger (instrumental only). Danced by Betty Grable and Hermes Pan
  • I Heard the Birdies Sing (uncredited). Music by Ralph Rainger. Lyrics by Leo Robin. Sung and danced by Betty Grable and chorus
  • I'll Be Marching to a Love Song (uncredited). Music by Ralph Rainger. Lyrics by Leo Robin. Sung and danced by Betty Grable, Victor Mature, John Payne, chorus
  • Living High (uncredited). Music by Ralph Rainger

References

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  1. ^ "101 Pix Gross in Millions" Variety 6 Jan 1943 p 58
  2. ^ "Footlight Serenade". AFI. afi.com. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
  3. ^ "Footlight Serenade - Cast, Reviews, Summary, and Awards". AllMovie. Retrieved 2012-02-16.
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