Big City (1948)

Set in New York City, an abandoned baby is found by a Protestant minister (Robert Preston), a Jewish cantor (Danny Thomas) and an Irish Catholic cop (George Murphy). The three men appeal to a judge (Edward Arnold) for joint legal custody which he agrees to with the provision that the first man to marry will become sole legal guardian. Directed by Norman Taurog (BROADWAY MELODY OF 1940). Oh, boy! Is the saccharine heavy on this one! While not really a musical, the drama is interspersed with songs whether its Danny Thomas singing zemirots, Betty Garrett as a saloon singer or Margaret O'Brien (as the grown up child) singing to her classmates. I found the minister and the cantor annoyingly sanctimonious so I was rooting for the Irish cop. The cloying film sets up a problematic situation when one of the men gets married and a court battle ensues for control of the child but it cops out (we never really find out what happens) and the movie ends with the whole cast singing God Bless America! Eh? No surprise, the movie flopped. With Karin Booth, Lotte Lehmann, Butch Jenkins and Connie Gilchrist.