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Better Late Then Never

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

The film may be flawed, but its message is not.

One vote for Durante,who did a few numbers along with the famous piano bit; one vote for Marsha Hunt, delightful as always, since she doesn't has that many movies I'm happy just to see her; one vote for June Allyson, who gave a solid sentimental performance. Not a musical as I expected, the plot is way too simple/dull for a two hour movie, and told too straightfowardly leaving no room for imagination for the audience or cinema language. Thus, the movie has these long, boring scene of conversations and you see the same ideas played out over and again. June Allyson is such a dynamic actress yet cast here as a boring character with practically no personality, she did mostly crying, which was well done, just not enough coming from Allyson. Durante's cute of course on his own, but had no chemistry with other main characters. The movie is all over the place. Supposedly the idea is to celebrate women in music during war times, however it is not addressed in the movie. And as strong and smart as these women are, in times of trouble the most they were asked to do was pray??? Also I'm not sure what role the little girl plays, she doesn't really do much except just "being there". I'm guessing she's the symbol of a religious guardian angel? Faith? She's not the Pollyanna to teach us to look on the bright side of life, she just goes to church like a sweet little girl. In all I would not recommend this movie.

Music that covers every genre of the time and a wonderful performance by June Allyson as the expectant war bride who works playing a bass fiddle for Jose Iturbi's orchestra are the main hallmarks of Music For Millions. Of course the big name in the cast for the time is little Margaret O'Brien who was winning hearts all over the USA during the World War II years.There were numerous films during those years that covered women doing all kinds of work in occupations for men. Why would playing in a symphony orchestra be different. Jose Iturbi is hemorrhaging male musicians in his orchestra to the draft and his ensemble was starting to look like Phil Spitalny's band.One fine evening Allyson's little sister Margaret O'Brien comes to town and interrupts a concert at Carnegie Hall. Iturbi and orchestra manager Jimmy Durante are put out, but the women in the orchestra really take to O'Brien the way America did. Even Iturbi and Durante come around and Margaret becomes a kind of mascot.A real crisis erupts when a War Department letter arrives for Allyson, but she doesn't get it courtesy of her fellow musicians. June is pregnant now and the women figure no news is good news until she has the baby. One of June Allyson's best acted scenes is with Iturbi where she confesses how frightened she is not knowing and hoping for the best for her husband out in the Pacific.Iturbi does some classical music and appropriately the film ends with Handel's Hallelujah Chorus and why appropriate you watch the film for. And Jimmy Durante is his own comic self and his rendition of Umbriago is a film highlight.Women certainly play in orchestras now. I live around the corner from the Kleinhans Symphony in Buffalo and I see many a female musician parking their cars and carrying their instruments to the hall. And we have a female conductor named Joann Falletta. This review is dedicated to her.

You'd think that any movie with June Allyson and Margaret O'Brien, Hollywood's two most famous "town criers," would be miserable, but "Music for Millions" is wonderful. Yes, there are tears. But with Jimmy Durante, there's also plenty to laugh about...and with Jose Iturbi there is plenty to sing about, although of course Iturbi plays, and doesn't sing.Iturbi is the conductor of an orchestra whose male members are being swallowed into the war effort (by the end of the movie, there's only one man left in the orchestra besides Iturbi). Allyson is a bassist (NOT a cellist) who is pining away for her husband, missing in action in the Pacific. O'Brien is Allyson's baby sister "Mike," an eternal optimist and fiercely loyal to her sister. Durante is the manager, a frustrated musician himself and saddled with always making plans for things that you just can't make plans for.Really, the star of the movie is the music itself, and it's some of the best you'll hear. Iturbi's "Clair de Lune" alone is enough to bring tears, and the first movement of Grieg's piano concerto--most of which we get to hear, when O'Brien isn't interrupting--is majestic. Durante has two numbers of his own, both hilarious reminders of why he was so well-liked.I figure I'm pretty cynical, but even I was smiling through tears at the end. This is a terrific movie.By the way, if you're interested in Jose Iturbi, please visit my new website, www.manyfountains.com to learn more about this great pianist and conductor.

I saw "Music for Millions" right before Memorial Day. This beautiful WWII movie must have been a wonderful gift of hope to American G.I. wives and sweethearts. It leaves nothing unsaid about the powerlessness and fear many of these women must have felt. Yet it is also an inspiring testimonial about hope. Hope, prayer, and faith as embodied by one tenacious six-year old girl.Although you'll cry aplenty, this is more than a '4-hankie' drama. Jimmy Durante, with his famous 'snozzoola' and comic skits, provides a wonderfully humorous contrast to the inspiring classical concertos played by the world-renown Jose Iturbi. You'll be left breathless while the famous conductor/pianist fills the air with the incredibly beautiful music of his mostly female orchestra, bringing a different kind of hope and joy to our boys in uniform.This movie is an absolute MUST!