Has Anybody Seen My Gal? is a 1952 American comedy film distributed by Universal-International, directed by Douglas Sirk, and stars Piper Laurie, Rock Hudson, Charles Coburn, and Gigi Perreau. It is loosely based upon the Eleanor Porter novel Oh Money! Money!. Set in the 1920s, the film leans heavily on period detail, such as flappers, the Charleston and raccoon coats. It is named for the jazz song "Has Anybody Seen My Gal?" which was a hit for The California Ramblers during the 1920s. Though the song is sung during the movie, its lyrics have no particular relation to the plot.
| Has Anybody Seen My Gal? | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Douglas Sirk |
| Screenplay by | Joseph Hoffman |
| Story by | Eleanor H. Porter |
| Produced by | Ted Richmond |
| Starring | Piper Laurie Rock Hudson Charles Coburn Gigi Perreau Lynn Bari |
| Cinematography | Clifford Stine |
| Edited by | George Boemler |
| Music by | Joseph Gershenson Herman Stein Franz Waxman |
Production company | Universal Pictures |
| Distributed by | Universal International |
Release date |
|
Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
editIn 1928, aging and lonely New York millionaire Samuel Fulton (Charles Coburn) decides to leave his fortune to the family of the late Millicent Blaisdell, the only woman he has ever been in love with, but did not love him back. Samuel explains to his lawyer Edward Norton (Frank Ferguson) that losing Millicent inspired him to become a wealthy businessman. Fearing the family will spend the money unwisely, he decides to visit them in their small Vermont town, renting a room in their house under the alias John Smith.
Roberta, the youngest daughter, (Gigi Perreau) wastes no time in making him feel welcome. He notices that the Blaisdells are a happy family who, although poor, are proud of their background. Father Charles (Larry Gates) has taught the family not to value materialistic products. Nevertheless, mother Harriet (Lynn Bari) wishes for her daughter Millicent "Millie" (Piper Laurie) to marry Carl Pennock (Skip Homeier), a wealthy, snobbish young man who can buy Millie everything that Harriet never had. Millie, however, is not keen on Carl and prefers to marry local soda jerk Dan Stebbins (Rock Hudson).
One night, Millie and Dan announce their engagement, which upsets Harriet. Shortly after, Norton arrives, announcing that the family has inherited $100,000 from an unknown man. The family immediately gives up their humble life for the upper-class lifestyle. The oldest son Howard (William Reynolds) immediately starts gambling and lands in debt, which prompts Samuel to help him. Meanwhile, Dan, feeling he can never live up to Millie's expectations, breaks off their engagement. Afterwards, Millie reluctantly starts dating Carl again, under the pressure of her mother.
Samuel helps Millie and Howard escape from a raid, which results in him being jailed. Harriet feels that Samuel's presence is ruining the family image, unaware of the reason he ended up in jail. He is supported by Dan, who wants to leave town to build a career. Trying to prevent Millie and Dan from disappearing out of each other's life, Samuel sets up a meeting at the cinema. There, an argument follows, and Millie exclaims her hatred for the family's sudden wealth. She is comforted by Samuel and attracts the attention of other theatre-goers, who suspect that Samuel and Millie are dating.
During the ongoing social party at the Blaisdell house, Harriet overhears gossip about Millie from the cinema, and forces Millie to announce her engagement to Carl. Meanwhile, Charles announces he has lost his investments, which makes Samuel realize that the Blaisdells are in no position to make wise financial decisions. Obligated by Samuel, Norton refuses to give them a loan, after which Charles begs the Pennocks for money, but the Pennocks refuse the loan and leave, calling off Carl and Millie's engagement. Much to Harriet's distress, the Blaisdell family returns to their old lifestyle, and Millie and Dan get engaged again. At the end, Roberta reveals that 'John' has won the first prize at an art show, since she secretly entered his paintings. Samuel leaves the house to avoid the press and realizes that the Blaisdells now think of him as the grandfather he could have been.
Cast
edit- Piper Laurie as Millicent 'Millie' Blaisdell
- Rock Hudson as Dan Stebbins
- Charles Coburn as Samuel Fulton/John Smith
- Gigi Perreau as Roberta Blaisdell
- Lynn Bari as Harriet Blaisdell
- Larry Gates as Charles Blaisdell
- William Reynolds as Howard Blaisdell
- Skip Homeier as Carl Pennock
- Paul McVey as Lester Pennock
- Gloria Holden as Clarissa Pennock
- Frank Ferguson as Edward Norton
- Paul Harvey as Judge Wilkins
- Sally Creighton as Arline Benson
- James Dean as Youth at Soda Fountain (uncredited)
- Philo McCullough as Mr. Benson (uncredited)
- Jack Mower as Court Clerk (uncredited)
- Fritz Feld as Mr. Álvarez (uncrefited)
Production
editWorking titles of the film were Oh Money, Money and Has Anybody Seen My Girl.[1]
James Dean has an uncredited role as a young man in one of the soda fountain scenes.[2]
Home media
editUniversal released this film on DVD in 2006 as part of the Rock Hudson Screen Legend Collection, a 3-disc set featuring four other films (A Very Special Favor, The Golden Blade, The Last Sunset, and The Spiral Road). Universal then re-released this film in 2015 as a stand-alone DVD as part of its Universal Vault Series. There is also a Region 2 DVD release of this film.
References
edit- ^ "Has Anybody Seen My Gal (1952)". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved 2010-05-06.
- ^ [1], additional text.
