Moon Over Miami (1941)

Betty Grable and her sister (Carole Landis) leave their small Texas town and move to Miami to snag a millionaire.

Written review

I purchased this DVD "Moon Over Miami," for my granddaughters 10th birthday which is in July.
So, at this point it is a surprise, but I know she will LOVE it. Betty Grable who stars in the movie is her all time favorite. This is very unusual for a young girl. However, she fell in love with her quite awhile ago, and her interest has held for her.
I'm so happy you had this available for her. Thank you. June 17, 2008

fine Hollywood musical with words and music

Moon Over Miami is a delightful musical romp that succeeds very well even though the plot is rather thin. The convincing acting held my attention very well and the musical numbers are excellent. The Technicolor is grand and the plot moves along at a good pace.

The action starts when Kay Latimer (Betty Grable), her sister Barbara (Carol Landis), and their aunt Susan (Charlotte Greenwood) are stuck working at some dumpy greasy spoon in Texas. Their inheritance is far short of what they expected; so they pack up and go to Miami to find rich husbands. It's not long before they meet eligible bachelors including Phil 'Mac' McNeil (Don Ameche) and Jeff Bolton (Robert Cummings). They also meet Jack O'Hara (Jack Haley), a waiter at their swanky hotel who find out that the women are really gold diggers and who is constantly threatening to tell the men that the women are out for rich husbands and practically nothing more.

Of course, this being a musical from the golden age of Hollywood, the plot is basically an excuse for song and dance numbers. "You Started Something" is definitely one of the better musical numbers; and look for some incredible dance routines with Betty Grable and two men at the hotel party given by Jeff Bolton. There is another spectacular dance routine at the Bolton's island home near the end of the movie as well.

Despite numerous plot twists and turns, some of which are predictable, the action builds up and there's a little bit of suspense along the way anyhow. In addition, questions remain: Will Jack the waiter ever tell anyone that these women are really gold diggers? Will Kay, her sister Barbara and her aunt Susan ever find true love--or will they merely wind up marrying for money--if they marry at all? No plot spoilers here, folks--watch the movie and find out!

The DVD has no real extras although there is some trailer footage from other Betty Grable movies. The choreography is wonderful in the dance scenes and the cinematography always reflects good judgment.

Overall, Moon Over Miami is an excellent movie musical from the golden age of Hollywood. I highly recommend this film for fans of classic musicals and the actors in this very well done picture.
March 11, 2008

Mooning over "Moon Over...."

Technically this is "just another" Fox musical, with a slight and silly storyline (girls in Miami on prowl for rich bachelors) but plenty of good-humored, innocuous cheer. Charlotte Greenwood and Jack Haley (aka The Tin Man) have fun together in supporting roles; Greenwood does her famous splits with those long, long legs. Betty Grable was built for Technicolor and vice versa. The songs oddly do not include "Moon Over Miami" except for an instrumental in the opening credits. A sugary confection with a wee bit of location shooting; they (a second unit) actually went to Miami! January 9, 2008

Jack Cole's Dance Number Remains Lost

I hate to rain on my fellow reviewers parade, but an important component of the film is missing. A few years ago I purchased the VHS version of "Moon Over Miami". To my big disappointment, here's what I saw: The "Seminole" sequence begins with kettledrums, the cast leans forward in expectation - and then comes a brutal cut right into the chorus routine, just before the entrance of the Condos Brothers. The spectacular dance performed by Jack Cole, Anna Austin and Florence Lessing was completely erased.
Unfortunately the same butchered version happens to be on the DVD! A bitter irony: Cole's name appears in the credits and photos of the number are included in the still gallery. I assume the film was re-edited for television broadcast. Maybe Cole's choreography was considered too risky at the time it first aired.
Nevertheless, it's a shame that 20th Century Fox didn't manage to restore the film to its original form. Jack Cole can be considered one of the most influential American choreographers. So from a dance historic standpoint this is an enormous loss since "Moon Over Miami" marked not only his first Hollywood assignment but also featured one of his rare screen appearances.
August 24, 2007

BETTY GRABLE always gets FIVE STARS ...or more....

This is another 1940's Fox musical...not "Westside Story"...so if you
enjoy bright, colorful, pleasant...you will not be disappointed. BETTY
and her gang will sing for you. Betty and the Condos brothers will dance
for you....and Betty will wear some very pretty clothes (Travis Banton,
I think). Also unusual for a Grable film...they did some location shooting in Florida...so you get some unusal locations. Betty is a
wonderful entertainer...and I am always willing to take a chance. I
have never been sorry. I hope you never will, either. June 27, 2007

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