The Sun Comes Up (1949)

After the tragic death of her young son (Dwayne Hickman), a widowed concert singer (Jeanette MacDonald) seeks solace in a rural mountain community. Embittered, she blames the family dog (Lassie) for the death of her son. Based on the story MOUNTAIN PRELUDE by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings (THE YEARLING) and directed by Richard Thorpe (NIGHT MUST FALL). This mawkish melodrama was Jeanette MacDonald's final film. While she sings a few songs, she's basically used as an actress, not a singer. The Northern California location (Santa Cruz county) is nicely rendered in three strip Technicolor by Ray June (FUNNY FACE). Normally the star of the movie in "her" own right, Lassie is a supporting player here. Too much sentimentality makes the film a slog to get through so unless you're a fan of MacDonald or Lassie, there's not much for you here. With Lloyd Nolan, Claude Jarman Jr., Lewis Stone, Margaret Hamilton and at his most annoying, Percy Kilbride (more the character than the actor).