I wanted my own copies of "Christmas in Connecticut" and "The Shop Around the Corner," so it only made sense to buy the Turner Classic Movies collection you see at left, that combines those two classics with one of the many film versions of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" (this one is the Reginald Owen vehicle from 1938) and a film I hadn't heard of, "It Happened on 5th Avenue," a post-WW II Christmas story involving ex-GIs who can't find anything to do or anywhere to live.It's a very intriguing film, one that I don't believe showed up on Chicagoland Late, Late Shows or Dialing for Dollars. If the IMDB comments are to be believed, it was broadcast every December in Tampa, Florida, however, and for some Floridians, it's their favorite Christmas movie ever. It's definitely sweet, definitely has a message, with its story of haves and have-nots all living and working together to figure out what's truly important (Hint: It's not money), and features one of Hollywood's best character actors in Charles Ruggles, who plays the rich robber baron whose selfishness has made him a prisoner of his own wealth. Ruggles' character, Michael J. O'Connor, owns the palace on 5th Avenue which has been invaded by a gentlemanly hobo named Aloysius T. McKeever, played by veteran comic Victor Moore. Although he had some amazing credits on his resume (including originating the role of Vice President Throttlebottom on Broadway in "Of Thee I Sing"), I find Moore to be an acquired taste, one which I have not acquired. He is more palatable here, acting all charming and scruffy, with nice interaction with an equally charming dog. I don't see a credit for the dog, but he (or she) was excellent in the role and certainly made Moore more appealing.
After McKeever has made his seasonal return to the O'Connor mansion, he runs into out-of-work ex-GI Jim Bullock, played by Don DeFore, someone I know best from the old TV show "Hazel," where he played the boss. DeFore is a bit of a lightweight as the romantic hero in the piece, but he does all right. I was more impressed with Gale Storm, playing rich girl Trudy O'Connor, who pretends to be poor and on the lam so she can stay in her own house and not evict interlopers McKeever and Bullock. I knew her name, but I don't believe I've ever seen her in anything except maybe a guest role on the likes of "The Love Boat." Here, as a leading lady, Storm is pretty and perky and everything she needs to be.
Still, it's Charles Ruggles who keeps stealing scenes. He's just adorable, even if his O'Connor is a nasty old robber baron. His estranged wife, who also shows up in disguise at the (increasingly crowded) mansion on 5th Avenue, is played by the lovely Ann Harding, best known as a heroine in five-hanky dramas in the early 30s. It's nice to see Harding kick up her heels in comedy, especially opposite Ruggles.
"Gilligan's Island" fans may also enjoy seeing the Skipper, Alan Hale, Jr., in a smaller role as one of Bullock's army pals.
For me, it's fun to gawk at the lavish mansion and see what 5th Avenue in New York looked like in 1947, and also to see costumes and hairdos which look so much like what my mother wore in pictures from that era.
"It Happened on 5th Avenue" is definitely worth a look as more unfamiliar holiday fare and Life in America post-World War II. The fact that it is included in the same package as "Christmas in Connecticut" and "The Shop Around the Corner" is just icing on the cake.
Trivia note: Ann Harding played Linda Seton in the first filmed version of Philip Barry's play "Holiday." The second "Holiday," the one with Katharine Hepburn as Linda Seton, is what I usually pick as my favorite movie of all time. And that "Holiday" took place in a mansion that looks very much like the one in "It Happened on 5th Avenue." I can find nothing to suggest that they used the same set. But it sure looks the same to me.
What fun! All of this!
ReplyDeleteThis is one I've never seen, though I feel somewhat better about than than I do about most of the lacunae in my movie viewing, as it seems to be not that generally known (it doesn't even crack Maltin's current movie guide). Certainly not as lamentable as my still never having seen all of "Holiday" (please don't disown me, Julie! I'll take care if it!).
ReplyDeleteVictor Moore, I've discovered of recent years, was teamed repeatedly with William Gaxton, as odd-funny-sidekick and leading-man. They first played VP and President in "Of Thee I Sing," repeated the roles in the sequel "Let 'Em Eat Cake," and repeated the teaming but not the specific roles in "Anything Goes," "Leave It To Me," "Louisiana Purchase" (Moore got to repeat his role in the film of that, Gaxton was replaced by Bob Hope), the revue "Keep 'Em Laughing," and "Hollywood Pinafore." And now they're virtually forgotten. Moore at least appears in some movies that are still seen ("Swing Time," his last "The 7-Year Itch"), but Gaxton is just a footnote in the history of musicals now.
When I did a basic search to verify details of Victor Moore's career (like "Of Thee I Sing") I found a lot of people asking if Jack Black is related to him, because people think they look alike. No relation, of course. I guess that shows that he has some current notoriety, though, if people aware of Jack Black are wondering about him.
ReplyDeleteThe issue with Gaxton goes to show, I suppose, that "odd-funny sidekicks" tend to last longer and can find a unique niche better than plain old leading men. Sorry, Bill G! Or Arturo Antonio G. (His real name.)