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Touches You

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

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

A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

This is a delightful glimpse of New York show business in the early 20th century. The story is appropriately corny and satisfyingly well acted, offering some charming songs and dances with some of the best performers in the 1950s, and a virtuoso turn by an old vaudevillian (James Barton) doing the kind of work we don't see onstage (or in movies) anymore. Barton's touching "drunk" dance in the bar, and his hilarious eccentric skating number at the end of the film show us a vivid picture of the kind of performing that was expected in the best days of vaudeville. The plot is predictable, but Gordon McCrae, June Haver, and Gene Nelson are a pleasure to behold, and Debbie Reynolds' debut gives a hint of what we could have expected from her. Also, it's as good as S.Z. Sakall ever was, and that's saying a lot. Watch it to experience a wave of nostalgia like none you've ever known.

The main appeal of 'The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady' is the cast, my main reason for seeing it in the first place and after watching it was the main reason why it is as worthwhile as it is. Gordon McRae and Debbie Reynolds were major talents that lifted any film they were in with their presence, June Haver was also very talented but is pretty underrated now and SZ Sakall has proved numerous times that he can be a cuddly and amusing scene-stealer.Luckily, the cast don't disappoint. Haver is poised and charming throughout, while Reynolds is her usual peppy, adorable and spunky self. McRae sings a dream as always and acquits himself well in the acting stakes, while solid support also comes from Gene Nelson and a touching James Barton in a rare screen appearance.Only Sakall disappoints somewhat, with his fumbling schtick gradually coming over as annoying and overdone. Jane Darwell also doesn't register particularly strongly in a role that gives her little to do.Handsomely mounted production values and quaint photography are further things to like, as well as more than able direction and pleasant and beautifully performed music and songs. The dancing is suitably energetic and poised, and 'The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady' has its amusing and poignant moments. The film moves quickly with very rare a dull stretch.Really, Sakall, some at times rather insipid dialogue that really comes over as corny and sometimes stilted and a story that has great atmosphere but is also very slight to non-existence and with one too many routine parts are the only real issues here in 'The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady'.All in all, a charming and easy to like film that isn't great but doesn't try to be or do any more than needed. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Aging Irishman Dennis O'Grady (James Barton) has become an embittered, aging father, forbidding his three daughters from going anywhere a theater, let alone going into show business or God forbid, dating or marrying someone in show biz. But when oldest daughter Patricia (June Haver) unwittingly gives away her papa's lunch to a vaudevillian, that forbodence is broken. That man is Tony Pastor (Gordon MacRae), a song and dance man who happens to have his own theater. Papa O'Grady is furious by all of this and disowns his daughter who ends up on the stage just like her famous vaudeville mother, Rosie, who apparently died years before, leaving the former song and dance man Dennis embittered by the memory. Barton's cuddly pal S.Z. Sakall is married to the frosty Irene Seidner, and they happen to be theater goers who uncover Patricia's presence in an amateur contest which leads her to professional success. MacRae's future "Oklahoma!" co-star Gene Nelson is his best friend here who dances while MacRae sings, particularly a big production number (although small by MGM and 20th Century Fox musical standards) called "On a Farm off Old Broadway". Of course, the three sisters get together to convince papa to change his old fashioned ways, which leads to a big Christmas finale to the tune of "Winter" where "Cuddles" Sakall makes an appearance on stage in a snow man's costume, enough of his "n'yuck n'yuck" to fill all of his movies. Poor Oscar Winner Jane Darwell is wasted as the nosy neighbor.All in all, this is a minor entry in movie musical standards, but entertaining for what it is. A young Debbie Reynolds shows some of her comic moxie in a small role as the youngest sister, but unfortunately, doesn't get to sing or dance. She is cute and perky, but fans of her will be disappointed by the lack of a musical number for her. Haver is likable, but for some reason, was always considered second best to Betty Grable during her 20th Century Fox years, and now second best to Warner Brothers' top musical star, Doris Day. Barton gives the best performance, truly touching when paying tribute to his late wife with "My Own True Love and I".

My title is a quote from 'Cuddles' Sakal, who is showing his Irish coworker Dennis O'Grady(James Barton) his prized Hungarian sausages(wurst). For once, this inimitable old fuss body Hungarian refugee plays a Hungarian, and appears periodically throughout the film as a background character, mostly fruitlessly attempting to inject a bit of humor. Dennis is the father of 3 marriageable, or nearly so, girls, played by June Haver, Marcia Jones and 17 y.0. Debbie Reynolds. The latter is barely recognizable, as June's tag along younger sister, in her first Hollywood speaking role, giving no hint of her potential, realized a few years later in "Singing in the Rain" : still very much a work in progress even then.Papa O'Grady, along with Sakal's character, are driver/conductors for horse-drawn trolleys in NYC. He used to be a vaudeville performer, until his wife partner, Rosie O'Grady, died. He claims she died from overwork as an entertainer and hence forbids his daughters to think about becoming a musical entertainer. Problem is Patricia(June) obviously has such an ambition and has to sneak her forays into the theater distinct. Meanwhile, eldest daughter Katie is secretly married to a returning soldier from the Spanish -American War, whom she soon tells she is pregnant. Pat happens to encounter Tony Pastor(Gordon MacRae), owner of a vaudeville theater, who invites her to become a singer/dancer, while strongly hinting a romantic interest in her. Problem is he has to improvise a story about who he is and what he does to pass the severe criteria of Papa O'Grady, in a comedic scene. After tentatively approving him, papa suggests a possible union with eldest daughter Katie, rather than Pat, unaware that she is married and pregnant! After he finds out the truth about Katie and Pat, he disowns them. But , he finds he is miserable without his daughter's company and cooking. Tony and Pat have a falling out over Pat's concern about her father vs. her commitment to Tony's show. Tony also insults her dancing partner, played by Gene Nelson, who consequently announces his intention to soon quit the show. Everyone is mad at each other at this point. But, as this is Christmas season, they gradually make amends , and even papa is invited to take part in the long winter-themed finale.This was the second and last pairing of June and Gordon, as well as June and dancer(primarily) Gene Nelson. Gordon and Gene were contract players for Warners, whereas June was on loan from Fox. June is her usual smiling effervescent self, when given the opportunity, and Gordon's singing was quite impressive for the limited material provided. June's acting was also good, while Gordon's tended to be a bit wooden. He had a more extensive presence than in his first pairing with June, which was also his first Hollywood musical.... Gene got his new Hollywood start as June's dance partner in "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now". In the present film, he got much more dance time, he and June making a great -looking dance team, as well as performing several of their own dances. He and Gordon would be rushed into a series of musicals, mostly with Warners' up and coming musical star Doris Day. The first; "Tea for Two", also costarring Sakal, was released later that year, and is generally regarded as more entertaining than the two films in which Gordon and June costarred. For one thing, several well recognized standards were included, instead of the less memorable songs provided in this film. Also, Gene's mostly solo dances were more innovative and exciting to watch. Except for her last Fox musical with Dan Dailey, June was typically cast with one or two other female musical talents, with or without musically -talented male stars, as was the pattern for most Fox musicals of the late '30s through early '50s. This is in contrast to her two Warners' films, where she was the sole female musical star, cast with distinct singing and dancing male stars.The comedic highlight of this film is provided by an unheralded man & woman comedic acrobatic routine: very Charlie Chaplin-like. Otherwise, the humor mostly relates to Papa O'Grady's unraveling relationships with his daughters. James Barton(papa) was an old time vaudevillian, as he plays here. He also played a similar character in the Betty Grable film "Wabash Avenue", also released in '50. He probably gets as much (too much!) screen time as June in this film, certainly more than leading men Gordon and Gene. We could have done without his drunk period, over his daughter's disobedient romantic shenanigans. Jane Darwell("Grapes of Wrath") fruitlessly tries to provide a bit of humor as neighbor Mrs. Murphy, heckling papa.Gordon's character's name: Tony Pastor, is the namesake of the generally recognized founder of the vaudeville show format. However, the real Tony was in his 60s at the turn of the century. We might imagine this Tony to be his son.Should not be confused with the prior Fox musical "Sweet Rosie O'Grady", starring Betty Grable. Is currently available as an on-demand printed DVD.