Post by petrolino on Nov 9, 2018 22:48:12 GMT
In the musical comedy 'Out Of This World', bobby soxers are brought in to bolster the credibility of new pop heartthrob Herbie Fenton (Eddie Bracken) when his talent is spotted by swinging jazz band Betty Miller And Her Sirens.
"I don't know. One minute you were singing, and the next, I was out of this world."
Cass Daley, Diana Lynn, Eddie Bracken & Veronica Lake
'Out Of This World' - Jo Stafford
'Out Of This World' is a self-referencing comedy about a musical revue in need of image consultancy. It reunites two of the stars of Preston Sturges' comedy 'The Miracle Of Morgan's Creek' (1944), Eddie Bracken and Diana Lynn who plays a mean piano. There's some fun numbers.
"She was a very gifted girl, but she didn't believe she was gifted."
- Rene Clair on Veronica Lake
Veronica Lake & Eddie Bracken
'Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show' - Peggy Lee
1940s Paramount Roster : Contract Shuffles, New Signings, Surprise Trades & Transfers
Diana Lynn & Gail Russell
'Love Story' - Peggy Lee (conducted by Randy Newman)
Shake-Up
As I understand it, it was all change on the Paramount lot at the turn of the decade and 'Out Of This World' reflects the confident new post-war image the studio was keen on cultivating. Dorothy Lamour's status at Paramount Pictures remained strong into the 1940s. It's perhaps worth noting that in the late 1930s, Marsha Hunt had seen her contract terminated, a move that weakened the field significantly. Fortunately, Hunt took on a role at MGM, supporting rising contract player Lana Turner in 'These Glamour Girls' (1939), a move that led to her securing her own contract with the studio of stars.
Betty Hutton (February 26, 1921 – March 12, 2007)
Betty Hutton was signed to a featured role in 'The Fleet's In' (1942), a film starring Paramount's number-one female star, Dorothy Lamour. Hutton was an instant hit with the moviegoing public and earned a long-term contract.
Veronica Lake (November 14, 1922 – July 7, 1973)
Veronica Lake made several pictures at MGM who restricted her to bit parts and brief unbilled appearances. Due to her diminished height in flats, Lake was selected for sorority adventures but couldn't secure leads like Anne Shirley, experienced star of 'Girls' School' (1938) at Columbia and 'Sorority House' (1939) over at RKO. Lake made an unbilled appearance for MGM in 'Dancing Co-Ed' (1939) starring fellow shortie Lana Turner. Spotting her potential, Paramount Pictures offered Lake a serious contract in 1941. She'd already played a small role for Paramount in 'All Women Have Secrets' (1939) which garnered some attention.
Gail Russell (September 21, 1924 – August 26, 1961)
Gail Russell signed with Paramount Pictures in 1942.
Diana Lynn (July 5, 1926 – December 18, 1971)
Diana Lynn was a noted stage performer and a musical prodigy so it was important for her to avoid becoming a niche artist. She signed a long-term contract with Paramount Pictures in 1942 having appeared for the studio in 'The Hard-Boiled Canary' (1941).
