![]() She had appeared on radio in her very early days, then moved into the film world with today’s production. Jane Powell is a native of Portland, Oregon, born Suzanne Bruce in 1929. Singled out are the Hollywood Canteen Kids and the four young acrobats known as the Lipham Four. The review goes on to note that producer Rogers has surrounded her with a combination of veteran performers and some youthful newcomers who emerge as major league talent. In the Variety review of the picture, it is noted that the 14 year old Miss Powell has “a fine voice for the recording channels, and good camera presence”. The production values in the film, or as Bill Everson might say, “a nice little film”, beginning with the opening tracking shots of the bicycle riders, setting the stage for Powell’s first song. As was the custom at that time, favourite radio stars were brought to the screen, in this case the talents of Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, W.C. The New York Times Review described her as “a winsome youngster with a prematurely developed rich soprano voice”. There are no hidden messages in this film which presents a pleasant stage on which to bring the talents of Jane Powell to the screen. At this point, Jack Moran, the head of the group, discovers the orange crop on his brother’s ranch is in jeopardy due to a shortage of help, and Jane returns to Hollywood to enlist the services of some of her show-biz friends. Her enthusiasm generates antagonism from the others in the unit, until her true identity is disclosed. She eventually dons a disguise, and walks out of the studio for a fling at freedom. She gets a taste of what “normal” children her age can do, after filming a public service short. She’s a film star, tired of the constant supervision at the studio. The story is set in California, and is woven around the activities of high school groups assisting in the harvesting of crops in a “poor little rich girl” tale. It marks the film debut of the silver-voiced Jane Powell, and what turned out to be the final appearance of W.C. Yet another twist on the “Let’s-have-a-show” theme so familiar in the Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland MGM days, this is a film of both first…and lasts. Powell), Sig Arno ( Spolo), Irene Tedrow ( Miss Casper), Pat Starling ( Pat), and the Sammy Kaye Orchestra. Fields), Bonita Granville ( Bonnie), Peggy O’Neill ( Peggy), Jackie Moran ( Jack), Bill Christy ( Bill), Reginald Denny ( Director Curtis), Regis Toomey ( Connors), Rose Hobart ( Mrs. ![]() Songs: Walter Kent, Kim Gannon.Ĭast: Jane Powell ( Jane Powell), Edgar Bergen ( Edgar Bergen), Charlie McCarthy ( Charlie McCarthy), W.C. Screenplay: Albert Mannheimer, based on a story by Irving Phillips and Edward Verdier. ![]() Production Company: United Artists release of Charles R. ![]() Toronto Film Society presented Song of the Open Road (1944) on Sunday, Februin a double bill with King of Jazz as part of the Season 40 Sunday Afternoon Film Buffs Series “A”, Programme 8. ![]()
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