Coney Island (1943)

Set in turn of the (20th) century New York, two rivals (George Montgomery, Cesar Romero) cross and double cross each other in the attempt to win the love of a brash entertainer (Betty Grable). Directed by Walter Lang (THE KING AND I), this was one of Grable's biggest hits. But I've never cared much for Grable's period musicals like this one and THE DOLLY SISTERS. I've always preferred her in her contemporary ones like WEEKEND IN HAVANA or MOON OVER MIAMI. Grable gets to act a bit more than in her usual fluff but she's saddled with the stodgy George Montgomery (I guess John Payne wasn't available). I was hoping for a more realistic bittersweet ending than we're given but this is a 1940s Technicolor Betty Grable musical, not LA LA LAND or UMBRELLAS OF CHERBOURG so we get the dopey happy ending which just doesn't feel right. As for the musical numbers, they're okay with only two standing out. One of them, a jazz number, is uncomfortable with the male dancers in blackface and Grable in a black wig and dark make up as a light skinned "negress". But the splashy finale is fine. The choreography is by Hermes Pan. With Phil Silvers, Charles Winninger and Phyllis Kennedy.