The story begins in Boston in 1924. Hannah (Anne Baxter) is quite taken with a handsome hoofer in a local show. Tim O'Connor (Dan Dailey) and Hannah see each other quite and it's not surprising that the two are soon married.
One day, Tim is offered a chance to do a screen test in Hollywood. But, surprisingly, they end up signing Hannah to the contract...while Tim continues his stage career. Soon she is a top star and the pair are separated much of the time...and you wonder how long their marriage can take this. However, this is NOT the direction the story goes. Instead, after being a star in silents, Hannah retires on top when talkies become the rage. And, since Tim is a song and dance man, he, too, has a period where for a few years he's a star as well. But the big problem (and there always needs to be one in this sort of movie) is with their daughter...a Shirley Temple-like kid who wants to be in movies as well. Mom's against it...Dad's all in favor of it.
Dan Dailey's singing and dancing are very nice...and look very natural. There is, however, a blackface scene...which is unfortunate and a bit embarrassing.
As for Baxter, her lot isn't as good in the movie. Up until she becomes a star in the movie, she is amazingly flat. And, her reaction to her daughter's stardom seems...well...bizarre and from out of left field. It just felt contrived...as did the whole break up near the end.
Overall, this is a good movie...at least for the first 3/4. The final portion, while not terrible, is a disappointment. Still, it's worth watching despite its problems.
One day, Tim is offered a chance to do a screen test in Hollywood. But, surprisingly, they end up signing Hannah to the contract...while Tim continues his stage career. Soon she is a top star and the pair are separated much of the time...and you wonder how long their marriage can take this. However, this is NOT the direction the story goes. Instead, after being a star in silents, Hannah retires on top when talkies become the rage. And, since Tim is a song and dance man, he, too, has a period where for a few years he's a star as well. But the big problem (and there always needs to be one in this sort of movie) is with their daughter...a Shirley Temple-like kid who wants to be in movies as well. Mom's against it...Dad's all in favor of it.
Dan Dailey's singing and dancing are very nice...and look very natural. There is, however, a blackface scene...which is unfortunate and a bit embarrassing.
As for Baxter, her lot isn't as good in the movie. Up until she becomes a star in the movie, she is amazingly flat. And, her reaction to her daughter's stardom seems...well...bizarre and from out of left field. It just felt contrived...as did the whole break up near the end.
Overall, this is a good movie...at least for the first 3/4. The final portion, while not terrible, is a disappointment. Still, it's worth watching despite its problems.