On the Town Overview:

On the Town (1949) was a Comedy - Musical Film directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly and produced by Arthur Freed and Roger Edens.

SYNOPSIS

Bernstein's (with Comden and Green) great musical comedy gets the full Technicolor treatment with fine singing and dancing. Three sailors (Kelly, Munshin, and Sinatra) with 24 hours of shore leave seek excitement and romance in New York City, an excitement conjured especially in the famous "New York, New York" number. They team with Garrett, Miller, and Vera-Ellen, and they are off gallivanting around N.Y.C. Doubly directed by Kelly and Donen (their first directorial pairing), this fast-moving musical is not only contagious fun, but also a splendid look at New York City ("a helluva town") in the 1940s.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

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Academy Awards 1949 --- Ceremony Number 22 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Music - ScoringRoger Edens, Lennie HaytonWon
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BlogHub Articles:

Review: On The Town (1949): MGM’s New York Musical

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jun 8, 2020 From 4 Star Films

There is an immediate understanding that goes with the opening image of a construction worker arriving at the docks, still sleepy, as the world wakes up with him. And he does something that while still theatrical has roots in a very human urge, to bring in the new day with song. If we look at the MG... Read full article


Musical Monday: On the Town (1949)

on Feb 3, 2020 From Comet Over Hollywood

It?s no secret that the Hollywood Comet loves musicals. In 2010, I revealed I had seen 400 movie musicals over the course of eight years. Now that number is over 500. To celebrate and share this musical love, here is my weekly feature about musicals. This week?s musical: On the Town (1949) ? Musical... Read full article


"On the Town," In Celebration of Leonard Bernstein's Centenary

By The Lady Eve on Aug 25, 2018 From Lady Eve's Reel Life

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of composer/conductor/pianist Leonard Bernstein. In celebration, movie houses around the country are showcasing films scored by the legendary maestro. My local theater, the Smith Rafael Film Center (aka/the Rafael) put together a three-film tribute to ... Read full article


1001 Classic Movies: On the Town

By Amanda Garrett on Aug 5, 2017 From Old Hollywood Films

On the Town (1949) is one of the 1001 classic movies you should see. The musical stars Frank Sinatra (left), Jules Munshin, and Gene Kelly as three sailors who are on shore leave in New York City. Each week, I'm going to recommend a classic movie you should see (for the reasons behind the 1001 se... Read full article


On the Town

By Amanda Garrett on Dec 12, 2015 From Old Hollywood Films

Today, I'm celebrating Frank Sinatra's 100th birthday with a look at one of his best MGM musicals, On the Town (1949). Here's Ol' Blue Eyes on the Brooklyn Bridge with costars Jules Munshin (center), and Gene Kelly (right). This article is part of the Sinatra Centennial Blogathon hosted by Movie... Read full article


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Quotes from

Gabey: You know, somewhere in the world there's a right girl for every boy. I guess I found the one for me before I even met you. I tried, but I can't forget her. But don't you worry. You'll find your guy. You're a nice girl Lucy.
[He kisses her on the cheek]
Gabey: Good night.
Lucy Schmeeler: Oh you bad boy! Now I won't wash my cheek for a year.


Claire Huddesen: You oughta feel proud that three sailors from the United States Navy got off the ship for one day, and what did they do? Were they thirsty for hard liquor? No. They were thirsty for culture. Were they running after girls? No. They came running to the museum to see your dinosaur. For months out at sea they were dreaming about your dinosaur.


Ivy Smith: Getting involved is so... so... involving.


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Facts about

Arthur Freed, the producer of the film, sent a memo to Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen during shooting, saying, "I just ran the cut musical numbers of On The Town, and they were the greatest and most inspiring works I have seen since I have been making moving pictures. Emeric Pressburger and Michael Powell can't shine your shoes - red, white or blue. Much love from your proud producer."
"On the Town" originally debuted on Broadway on December 28, 1944 at the Adelphi Theatre running 462 performances with a cast that included Betty Comden, Adolph Green and Nancy Walker.
Arthur Freed had to convince Louis B. Mayer to purchase the movie rights of the hit Broadway musical. Mayer had criticized the stage production as "smutty" because of a scene in which a black woman danced with a white man.
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Best Music - Scoring Oscar 1949







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Also directed by Stanley Donen




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Also produced by Arthur Freed




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Also released in 1949




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