Lullaby Of Broadway (1951)

A singer and actress (Doris Day) who's lived in England for many years returns to New York to be reunited with her mother (Gladys George), who she thinks is a big Broadway star. In reality, the mother is a washed up lush singing in a dive. A friend (Billy De Wolfe) of her mother covers up for her. Directed by David Butler (CALAMITY JANE), this breezy slice of musical fluff goes down very easily if you don't ask too much of it. While MGM was the King of the movie musicals in the 1950s and 1960s, Warners had Doris Day from 1948 to 1954! With the exception of CALAMITY JANE and THE PAJAMA GAME (made after her contract was up), her musicals were formulaic but that was okay. She was effervescent and likable and was a triple threat: she could sing, dance and act. What's not to like? The musical numbers here aren't much but she's partnered with that undervalued dancer Gene Nelson and they make a great combination. The film is bolstered by two supporting comedic performances: S.Z. Sakall and Florence Bates as an ill match married couple and the two serve as a reminder of the wealth of great character actors Hollywood had during this period. As the alcoholic mother, Gladys George brings some grit and pathos to her part. With Anne Triola and Hanley Stafford.