My Wild Irish Rose (1947)

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

I couldn't tell you the last film to utilize black-face, but it was at least seven years after this colorful musical biography. You can't hide history, and it should be recalled with nostalgia if never done again outside the historical aspects that it did happen. The great American songbook began long before Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, the Gershwins and Rodgers and Hart. Before there was a legitimate Broadway, there was the minstrel show, and black-face, as shameful as it is today, was a major part of that. This is the typical pull yourself up from the bottom and rise to the top story of an American songwriter, and frankly, the story of Chauncey Olcott is probably based more upon legend than fact, but in the capable hands of Dennis Morgan, it's done very well. Arlene Dahl, a gorgeous redhead, plays his love interest, with Andrea King as the legendary Lillian Russell, helping Olcott and causing a strain between Morgan and Dahl.There are so many wonderful little ditties here, many still heard today, proving that good taste never dies even after its wounded a bit. The colorful costumes, energetic dance numbers and endearing corny comedy is the spark that lights this up. Some great comic character actors best known for their TV work to youngsters (George Tobias, "Bewitched") and William Frawley ("I Love Lucy") will give a sense of familiarity. Only one rose is needed here, as it's a rich, fat one, colorful and majestic.

Spoilers. Observations. Opinions. Dennis is a beautiful singer, but where is Jack?Dennis sings the lovely ballad to his mother. She is in tears, and so appreciative of his devotion. Ben Blue is a great dancer. I just thought he was a sidekick comedian. Here, he essays the Irish dances with the best of them. In real life, Ben Blue was a dance instructor and owned a dance studio. He also owned a nightclub and played the drums. In the nineteen fifties, Ben Blue appeared on television shows.

This rare 1947 Warner technicolor musical is a nosegay of nostalgia about the career of Irish tenor Chauncey Olcott who reigned in the olden days of Minstrel Shows and Ballad Songs and learned about life from two women played by Arlene Dahl and Andrea King. George Tobias, Alan Hale and William Frawley are their co-stars whose names remain more familiar today. The plot moves along with rollicking laughter and plenty of conniving by Morgan as Olcott. The songs and acts are somewhat old fashioned, from the Minstrel shows and Ballad song days, but all charming and well done. There are some truths about starting out on one's own, learning from life's mistakes, conniving when luck is running out and other pieces of nostalgia which make the movie fun and light.

The music is wonderful; the cast is a delight; the story is charming (not a word that one hears much today!) - so why is this movie not on home video? Dennis Morgan, to quote Lillian Russell, sings 'beautifully'. This film is a gem and is one of the best musicals made. Ben Blue is hilarious, and Arlene Dahl is stunning as Rose. This movie is a joy to see. If you have never seen it - and I had not until last year - check it out when next it comes on TCM. It is better for you than 99.99999% of the idiocy on TV or at the movies.