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Let's Be Happy
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Wikipedia article
'Let's Be Happy' is a Technicolor 1957 British musical film starring Tony Martin, Vera-Ellen and Robert Flemyng and directed by Henry Levin. It was written by Dorothy Cooper and Diana Morgan in CinemaScope. This film was an updated remake of 'Jeannie' (1941), starring Barbara Mullen, which itself was based on the stage play 'Jeannie' by Aime Stuart.
The film was Vera-Ellen's final film; she later withdrew from public life after the death of her daughter, Victoria Ellen Rothschild. The film is also Tony Martin's final appearance in a movie musical, although he later made a cameo appearance in 'Dear Mr. Wonderful', a 1982 film.
'Let's Be Happy' premiered in London on 9 May 1957.
Plot
Jeannie McLean lives in rural Vermont and inherits some money from her Scottish-born grandfather whom she was looking after in his old age. She decides to travel to Scotland to see her ancestral country. On the journey by air and train, she finds herself continuously sitting near Stanley Smith, a brash washing-machine salesman, whose pushy ways help her through various difficulties.
She finally reaches Edinburgh (during the Festival).
At her hotel, Jeannie is romanced by Lord James MacNairn, an impoverished landowner, who has heard that she has money. When she catches out Stanley in a lie, she breaks off their friendship and accepts James' attentions. Stanley still follows her around, with a pretty French redhead in tow, including taking seats right behind James and Jeannie at the ballet, and inviting them to join them in a restaurant.
James takes Jeannie to see Loch Lomond and to a family wedding and to his family home - a huge castle. However, he is restricted to a very small wing of the castle with his housekeeper Miss Cathie, with the rest of the castle open to the public.
James asks Jeannie to marry him, but when he learns that she has spent all her inheritance, he confesses he originally wanted her for her money but now really does love her. But now knowing that he is also broke, she turns him down. Jeannie returns home to Vermont, but Stanley, having made a major sales coup, tracks her down and proposes to her.
Cast
* Vera-Ellen as Jeannie MacLean (singing voice was dubbed by Joan Small)
* Tony Martin as Stanley Smith
* Robert Flemyng as Lord James MacNairn
* Zena Marshall as Helene
* Helen Horton as Sadie Whitelaw
* Beckett Bould as Rev. MacDonald
* Alfred Burke as French Ticket Clerk
* Vernon Greeves as First Air France Steward
* Richard Molinas as Bearded Man
* Eugene Deckers as Diner Car Attendant
* Russell Waters as Hotel Reception Clerk
* Paul Young as Page Boy, Bobby
* Peter Sinclair as MacTavish
* Magda Miller as Mrs. MacTavish
* Brian Oulton as Hotel Valet
* Guy Middleton as Mr. Fielding
* Katherine Kath as Mrs. Fielding
* Charles Carson as Mr. Ferguson, Lawyer
* Jock McKay as Elderly Dancer
* Michael Anthony as Monsieur Fior
* Jameson Clark as MacPhail
* Eric Pohlmann as Customs Official
* Carl Duering as Customs Inspector
* Molly Weir as Flower Girl
* Ewan Roberts as Hotel Porter
* Jean Cadell as Mrs. Cathie
* Gordon Jackson as Dougal MacLean
Production
Location filming took place in Edinburgh and other locations in Scotland, Paris, and Thirlestane Castle which serves as Lord James' country house.
References
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