Kiss the Boys Goodbye

Mary Martin, like her contemporary Ethel Merman, was one of the great enduring stars of the Broadway musical theater. Both women made their share of movies early in their careers but neither achieved the same success in film that they had on stage, particularly strange in the case of Martin who seemed to have everything it took for stardom--not only could she act and sing but she photographed beautifully. The 1941 film based on a Broadway play by Clare Booth Luce features a number of songs by the director Victor Schertzinger with lyrics only by Frank Loesser before his Guys and Dolls success, including one of Mary's great hits, the title song. Oscar Levant does his usual acerbic role as Oscar Levant, always sounding as if he is ad libbing his best lines, perhaps he did. He even gets to play some harpsichord. Connie Boswell and Eddie "Rochester" Anderson do speciality numbers, and there are some funny moments. Watch for Elizabeth Patterson down south as Aunt Lily Lou and her shotgun.