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Springtime in the Rockies

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Springtime in the Rockies (1942) starring Betty Grable, John Payne, Carmen Miranda and Cesar Romero
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Springtime in the Rockies (1942) starring Betty Grable, John Payne, Carmen Miranda and Cesar Romero

Springtime in the Rockies – Two Broadway dance partners rekindle their romance in a series of comic misunderstandings set around the backdrop of the Canadian Rockies.

Review

Springtime in the Rockies is an absolutely hilarious romantic comedy! It works not only because of their romantic triangle, but also the secondary characters. Our protagonist hires a valet while he’s drunk as a skunk. And the valet becomes essential to the story, as well as to helping him to live a better life. He also hires a Latin/Irish secretary while he’s drunk. And her brothers! And the interaction between the secretary and the valet is absolutely hilarious and sweet.

Romantic triangle in “Springtime in the Rockies

It’s funny and fast paced with catchy musical numbers. I enjoyed it very much, with some of my favorite actors and second bananas. I recommended it extremely highly. To me it’s as good as any of the Astaire-Rogers comedy musicals. And that’s the highest praise I can give.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Cast of characters

  • Betty Grable (Sweet Rosie O’Grady, Mother Wore Tights) … Vicky Lane. Singing and dancing star. She breaks up her partnership — and engagement — to Dan, when she thinks he’s cheating on her. And takes up with her old flame Victor. One third of the romantic triangle.
  • John Payne (Kansas City Confidential, Miracle on 34th Street) … Dan Christy. Vicky’s former partner. His career’s fallen apart since they broke up. The Commissioner has someone willing to bankroll his new show …. If he gets Vicky to co-star. He gives him plane tickets, while Dan’s drowning his sorrows in a bar. Thankfully, McTavish is there. The 2nd part of the triangle.
  • Cesar Romero (Batman, Happy Go Lovely) … Victor Prince. Vicky’s old flame, who’s glad to be the shoulder for her to cry on. They’re swiftly engaged, and head to the Rockies to get married. Where Dan follows. The final part of the triangle.
  • Carmen Miranda (Copacabana, Scared Stiff) … Rosita Murphy. The Irish Latina, whom Dan hires as a secretary. While he’s drunk, on the way to Canada. She’s initially looking for her father, but sets her eyes on McTavish. She’s hilarious, as well as a good singer, dancer, and actress. A sizable part of the reason to enjoy the movie.
  • Charlotte Greenwood (Oklahoma!, Flying High) … Phoebe Gray. Vicky’s long-legged best friend and confidant. She has a hilarious dance scene when she’s drunk.
  • Edward Everett Horton (Wide Open, Holiday) … McTavish. The bartender, who helps Dan onto the plane, and gets hired as his valet in the process. He’s been attending college for the last 20 years, earned 5 degrees, and knows virtually everything. But nothing practical. He yearns to understand people, and to fall in love. And Rosita comes along …. Along with Carmen Miranda, he’s part of the reason to watch the movie

Secondary characters

  • Harry James (Bathing Beauty, Two Girls and a Sailor) … Harry James. The famous bandleader, who provides most of the music.
  • Harry James and His OrchestraThe Music Makers
  • Bando da LuaRosita’s Six Brothers / Orchestra
  • Six Hits and a Miss … Vocal Group
  • Chick Chandler … Stage Manager
  • Iron Eyes Cody … White Cloud
  • J.W. Cody J.W. Cody … Running Deer
  • Dick Elliott (The Andy Griffith Show) … Mr. Jeepers
  • Bess Flowers … Mrs. Jeepers
  • Jackie Gleason (The Honeymooners, Soldier in the Rain) … Commissioner. Integral to the story. He puts Dan on a flight to the Canadian Rockies to reconcile with Vicky.

Songs in Springtime in the Rockies

  • Run, Little Raindrop, Run
    • Music by Harry Warren
    • Lyrics by Mack Gordon
    • Performed by Betty Grable and John Payne
    • Also performed by Harry James and His Orchestra
  • I Had the Craziest Dream
    • Music by Harry Warren
    • Lyrics by Mack Gordon
    • Played during the opening credits and often throughout the picture
    • Also Performed by Helen Forrest with Harry James and His Orchestra
  • Chattanooga Choo Choo
    • Music by Harry Warren
    • Lyrics by Mack Gordon
    • Portuguese lyrics by Aloysio de Oliveira
    • Performed in Portuguese by Carmen Miranda with Bando da Lua
  • A Poem Set to Music
    • Music by Harry Warren
    • Lyrics by Mack Gordon
    • Performed by Harry James and His Orchestra
    • Danced by Betty Grable and Cesar Romero
  • Pan American Jubilee
    • Music by Harry Warren
    • Lyrics by Mack Gordon
    • Portuguese lyrics by Aloysio de Oliveira
    • Performed by Betty Grable, John Payne, Carmen Miranda, Harry James and His Orchestra and chorus

Editorial review of Springtime in the Rockies courtesy of Amazon.com

Betty Grable and Carmen Miranda powdering their noses in “Springtime in the Rockies”

Broadway partners Vicky Lane and Dan Christy have a tiff over Christy’s womanizing. Jealous Vicky takes up with her old flame and former dance partner, Victor Price, and Dan’s career takes a nosedive. In hopes of rekindling their romance and getting Vicky back on the boards with him, Dan follows her to a ritzy resort in the Canadian Rockies, where she and Victor are about to open their new act. But things get complicated when Dan wakes after a bender to find that he’s hired an outlandish Latin secretary, Rosita Murphy, which makes Vicky think he’s just up to his old tricks again.

Funny movie quotes from Springtime in the Rockies

Dan Christy: Give me another drink, I can still hear you.
McTavish: [as bartender] Yes, sir.

Dan Christy: Where am I?
McTavish: Chateau Lake Louise. Heart of the Canadian Rockies. Elevation, 5,670 feet.

Dan Christy: I remember you. You’re the bartender.
McTavish: Wrong tense, sir. I was.
Dan Christy: You mean you gave up your job on account of me?
McTavish: Well, it wasn’t a very satisfactory occupation, sir. I’d only been a bartender for two days.
Dan Christy: It’s all very clear to me. You took advantage of me while I was in that bar.
McTavish: On the contrary, sir. I was obliged to help you to the airplane. Then you prevailed upon me to accompany you as your companion. You said it was fate.

Dan Christy: McTavish, how long have you been talking like the Encyclopedia Britannica?

Rosita Murphy: This is not the Rhumba.
Dan Christy: It is now.

Harry James: I had an uncle named Murphy. Maybe we’re related?
Rosita Murphy: Could be! If he was ever in Brazil.
Harry James: I don’t think he ever made it out of Brooklynn.
Rosita Murphy: I don’t think that’s in Brazil.

Victor Prince: I know he’s a self-made man, but did he have to stop so soon?

Phoebe Gray: I wish you wouldn’t jump to conclusions, unless you need the exercise.

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