It's a Great Feeling (1949)

Intro.

I caught It's a Great Feeling just after it began last night and as it was already pretty late, I recorded it and watched it this morning.  It was a nice, delightful way to begin a perfect summer day.  The film was made back in 1949 because Warner Brothers had promised a film with Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson that would feature vendors within the Warner studios.  The original film had been canceled, but as the vendors began to complain, the studio decided to make this one.  They hired a writer and as everything was filmed on the actual lots and buildings owned by the studio, no sets had to be made.  The entire film was done in 6 weeks!  Although it does feel a bit short, the film is nonetheless entertaining and filled with enough cameos to make every film buff happy. 

Overview

Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson play themselves in the film - two actors who have been around the block in Hollywood.  They find themselves set to work on a film (Jack directing and Dennis as the lead) and try to find their leading lady.  As it so happens, a waitress in the studio commissary, Judy (played by Doris Day), convinces Jack that she can act and agrees to help him prank Dennis in order to get a part in the film.  Well, Jack doesn't keep his word, so Judy decides to go back home to Wisconsin.  The two men realize that they need a leading lady or their film will be canceled, and convince Judy to stay.  However, there's one problem - they need to convince their producer Arthur Trent (Bill Goodwin) that he discovered Judy, or he won't okay the use of an unknown leading lady.  A lot of gags and problems follow and they end with Judy again on a train bound for Wisconsin.  I won't give away the ending, but it is wonderful and a bit disappointing.  All in all, it is a funny commentary on the inner workings of Hollywood.

Highlights

Doris Day shines as Judy in this film.  She outsings, outacts and outshines her co-stars.  She has some wonderful songs including "Big Fat Lie."  Throughout the madcap antics, she holds her own and keeps the film together.  And the antics are great, including an attempt to pass her off as a famous French movie star.  But perhaps the best part of the film is the feeling that you are really behind the scenes at Warner Brothers.  That's because you are - the filming is all done in the studio, from the wardrobe department to the commissary to the sound stage.  And they have the cameos to prove it.  Here are the ones I wrote down: Ronald Regan, Gary Cooper, Danny Kaye, Joan Crawford, Edward G. Robinson, Jane Wyman and Patricia O'Neal.  I'm sure there were others I missed, but boy, what a cast!

Review and Recommendation

I liked this film a lot more than I did Thousands Cheer, despite the fact that both had many famous stars make brief appearances.  While this film had a somewhat shaky plot and even though I really wanted it to go on longer, I think it perfectly captured a side of Hollywood at which we can laugh.  Definitely a fun film to watch, especially to do some star-spotting! 

P.S. The film background is from Robert Osborne's intro that was featured on TCM.  To read more about It's a Great Feeling or more films, check it out here.