Million Dollar Baby (1941)

It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Priscilla Lane and May Robson dominate proceedings in this agreeable comedy that borrows themes from the worlds of Frank Capra, Cinderella and Pygmalion, among others. Jeffrey Lynn is quite appealing as Robson's lawyer, a handsome young fellow assigned to deliver a one million dollar check to department store salesgirl Lane. (It's "conscience money" – Robson has discovered her family fortune is based on a decades-ago swindle that ruined Lane's grandfather.) Naturally Lynn finds himself falling for the very charming Lane, who despite her newly acquired wealth remains stuck on…Ronald Reagan, a piano player and would-be serious composer whose sour disposition may indicate a stubborn independent streak in the great American tradition—or, may mean he's just kind of a jerk. In any case, Reagan is less than thrilled when suddenly-rich girlfriend Lane urges him to quit his job to write music while she supports him.Robson plays her trademarked feisty old lady and she is a pleasure to watch, as always. Lynn is fine although the character he plays is unfortunately a bit bland. Reagan has a somewhat challenging role—a potentially fine songwriter who scoffs at popular music and would rather starve than sell out, he doesn't quite succeed in making us see whatever it is that Lane apparently can't resist. Priscilla Lane herself is certainly the best thing about the picture: She's a Cinderella who sticks to her values and her man regardless of sudden riches and despite Robson's well-intentioned attempts to make her a "lady." Madcap, affectionate, completely charming—when Lane is on the screen (and that's almost every scene), it's really fun to watch. If the plot doesn't quite work, it is nevertheless a very nice try. The picture does deserve credit for good intentions—and is especially worth watching for any fan of Priscilla Lane.

This isn't a great movie, though Priscilla Lane is (as usual) better than her material.But, that said, I was struck with the vocal precision of Nan Wynn in "Who Is in Your Dreams Tonight". Her control was exquisite.It is amazing to me how very, very good even minor singers were in the 1940's. No, she is not a truly great singer, and I am not a huge fan of 1940's singing. Many later singers and many of her contemporaries were more compelling with weaker vocal skills. (I lean toward Peggy Lee, Chris Connor and Susannah McCorkle on the jazz side.) But, damn! Who among popular singers exhibits this level of technical skills today. It's a bit like the absence of workmanship in modern manufactured goods.

For years I have wanted to found a city just to be able to name one of the nicest streets "Priscilla Lane." Of course, I'd want two more to name Rosemary and Lola, too.But Priscilla is the star of "Million Dollar Baby," giving one of her most sparkling performances. She is so lovable, so adorable that even if she had ever given a bad performance, this role would wipe it out.Ronald Reagan also gives one of his best performances, with him as a pianist/composer hitting just -- pardon the pun -- the right note. It's worth saying twice: He gives one of his best performances.Jeffrey Lynn is also great. He was a good-looking guy and extremely likable in this role.May Robson probably couldn't give a bad performance, and she certainly didn't in "Million Dollar Baby." Very interesting is John Qualen, in a sympathetic role and not speaking with a Scandinavian accent.There are some wonderful lines in this intelligent script, even if some of us watching are puzzled by some of the characters' attitude toward money, and toward getting wads of it.Oh, look for the handsome Charles Drake in an uncredited role.He was just one of a large and excellent cast, far too many of whom didn't get credit, including the great Herb Vigran (whom I had met when he was in a play with Richard Thomas, and than whom he was a better actor), and he was on screen so briefly I didn't even see him, but he's listed here at IMDb.One other standout among the un-credited is Irving Bacon as the repulsive federal PIG (Person In Government). Though the scene was no doubt intended as comedy, today's headlines make it too true to be funny.Seriously, this is a very good movie. I'll watch it again.

When crotchety old May Robson discovers that her father cheated his best friend out of his share of their business (causing his suicide), she sets out to find the man's descendants to give them part of her fortune. In New York City, her young lawyer (Jeffrey Lynn) locates the man's perky granddaughter (Priscilla Lane), a struggling shopgirl. Living in Helen Westley's decrepit boarding house with her struggling piano player boyfriend (Ronald Reagen) down the hall, Lane befriends Robson who moves into the boarding house to check her out. Then, Lynn arrives to see Lane while she is working to inform her of her new fortune. Of course, she thinks he's a masher, and Reagen also takes a dislike to him as well. Once everything comes out, the way is paved for a lot of chaos, laughs, and lessons.Resembling "The Devil & Miss Jones" released the same year, we have May Robson in place of Charles Coburn as the crusty millionaire. Their motives were totally different: Robson was giving away her fortune, while Coburn was spying on union activism in his store. However, they end up involved in the romantic involvements of the young people they become attached to.Lovably cantankerous, Robson is delightful, and as her surrogate granddaughter, Lane is fine as well. Best remembered for "Four Daughters" (with her two sisters) and "Arsenic and Old Lace", Lane is charming and delightful. Jeffrey Lynn is handsome and suave, while future President Reagan gives a not-too-bad performance as well. In a small role, well known character comedienne Lee Patrick is hysterical as a hot-tempered balloon dancer who exchanges barbs with salty Helen Westley, another delightful mature character actress of the 30's and 40's. Robson and Westley could have easily switched roles.Worth seeing, "Million Dollar Baby" was one of those wonderful Warner Brothers ensemble pieces that still manages to stand the test of time.