Melody and Moonlight (1940)
Directed by Joseph Santley
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Synopsis by Hal Erickson
Jane Frazee made her starring film debut in the Republic B-plus musical Melody and Moonlight. The plot is motivated by the show-biz aspirations of bellboy Danny O'Brien (Johnny Downs). With the help of a wealthy chiropodist (Jerry Colonna), O'Brien not only gets to star on a big-time radio show, but also sprinkles stardust upon his sweetheart Kay Barnett (Jane Frazee)-who, unbeknownst to everyone but the audience, is the daughter of the show's sponsor. Unable to secure the services of Bob Hope, Republic did the next best thing by hiring two of Hope's funniest stooges, Jerry Colonna and Vera Vague (aka Barbara Jo Allen). Jane Frazee's excellent showing in Melody and Moonlight landed her a contract with Universal; by the end of the 1940s, however, she was back at Republic as Roy Rogers' leading lady.
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Keywords
radio, behind-the-scenes, family-disapproval, forbidden-love, love, moonlight, musical [play]