Landis refused to dye her hair red and was reduced to a supporting role. My Gal Sal benefits from the presence of Hayworth and the fact that it was filmed in color. Paul originally named Dreiser was the oldest of nine children and the youngest was famed novelist Theodore Dreiser and Dreiser wrote a short essay in tribute to his older brother which was the basis for this film. His brother suggested it may have been from syphilis. A must for Hayworth fans.
She shows more cleavage here than I have ever seen in her other films. Irving Cummings was a director that tried his hands at directing musicals with mixed results. Also, Carol Landis is seen in a small role. It was based on a biographical essay, sometimes erroneously referred to as a book, by Dresser's younger brother, novelist. This character actor graces with his presence dozens of films where he is always in the background. During one show, singing star Sally Elliot and friends happen by and hear one of his songs. The ever-lovely Rita Hayworth is the eponymous Sal, a stage star who helps Dresser to become the toast of Tin Pan Alley.
Victor Mature, as Paul, plays an unworldly Paul Dresser. It was interesting to see the 1890s period sets. Carole Landis was originally offered the role of Sally Elliot after Alice Faye backed out due to her being pregnant. Despite his egotistical behavior, he manages to woo and win Sally Elliott, one of the more popular songstresses of the day. Only song I can say I knew - faintly- was the Wabash song, which turns out to be the Indiana State song. Zanuck thereafter had the script rewritten and redirected to showcase , but her busy film schedule meant holding up production on My Gal Sal for eighteen months.
Victor Mature is average in this film, although there are some happy scenes between him and Hayworth. Lovely that it was shot in technicolour, and the songs and dances are great fun to watch. Cohn eventually agreed to loan Hayworth to Fox for both movies. The dancing is only average Hermes Pan was a partner in one scene. Young Theodore only appears as a child at the beginning of the film. My Gal Sal is a simply splendid movie and it's a true wonder why it's not readily available to buy when some of Rita's less good movies Lady From Shanghai, Salome are in abundance.
In minor roles James Gleason, as Paul's agent is excellent. . She was a beautiful woman who lights up the screen any time we see her. So, yeah, I didn't know much about this story. But the title role is fictional musical comedy star Sally Elliott who is played by Rita Hayworth. His songs were dubbed by Ben Gage. A lot of period music, costuming, and sets is what My Gal Sal gets its best marks for.
She was in the midst of her climb to the top having made strides over the previous two years in a succession of spotlight parts and this continued her ascent. Moving to New York City to become Sally's primary songwriter and boyfriend, Paul's early success quickly changes his personality. It's interesting that Paul started out singing at carnivals before hitting the big time on Broadway. My Gal Sal was one such effort but Twentieth Century Fox had not the proper stars to fill these roles. For My Gal Sal, Zanuck didn't have any contemporary composers write anything original for the score on this one.
Release Date: Not Yet Rated 1 hr 43 min Plot Summary Near the end of the 19th century, Indiana teen Paul Dresser Victor Mature runs away from home to become a musician. Starring: , Victor Mature, , Carole Landis, , Phil Silvers, Walter Catlett Directed By: Irving Cummings Written By: Seton I. New York Times — via ProQuest. She does get jealous at one point though when Dresser starts to see another woman. Afterward, the part was offered to , who was becoming known as a successor to Faye at Fox, but who turned it down, believing Fox was over-working her. He ends up with a traveling medicine show, where vaudeville star Sally Elliott Rita Hayworth borrows one of Paul's tunes for her act. Synopsis: Chronicles the early life of gay nineties-era songwriter Paul Dresser as he outgrows his job as carnival entertainer and moves up into New York society, writing one hit song after another.
He meets and falls in love with a musical performer, a gal named Sally Elliott Hayworth. The songs are tuneful, if forgettable. A pricture crammed with color, songs, and movement, carrying broad appeal for all theatergoers, both young and old. She is quite good looking, and if nothing else the film is a masterclass in hair and make-up, lighting, costume and production design. Cast: , , , , , , , Director: Genres: Production Co: Twentieth Century Fox Keywords: , , , , ,. He composes the title tune for the fair lady and becomes the toast of. Amiable musical is loaded with good music and sprightly performances.