Irish Eyes Are Smiling

Director: Gregory Ratoff Gregory Ratoff

Overview

This Technicolor musical biopic stars Argentina-born Dick Haymes as Irish-American composer Ernest R. Ball. Climbing to fame with such sentimental songs as "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" (hence the title), Ball romances a lovely showgirl (June Haver), who in turn catches the eye of a charming underworld character (Anthony Quinn). Monty Woolley does a variation of The Man who Came to Dinner in his role as a roguish Broadway producer. Seldom cluttering up its story with the facts, Irish Eyes are Smiling is chiefly a showcase for the superb singing of Dick Haymes. The film was produced by legendary journalist Damon Runyon, which should surprise several citizens more than somewhat.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/16/2013
UPC:	0024543878186
Original Release:	1944
Source:	ALLIED VAUGHN
Presentation:	[Full Frame]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Mono]
Language:	English
Time:	1:29:00
Sales rank:	32,600

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Dick Haymes	Ernest R. Ball
Monty Woolley	Edgar Brawley
June Haver	Mary 'Irish' O'Neill
Anthony Quinn	Al Jackson
Beverly Whitney	Lucille Lacey
Maxie Rosenbloom	Stanley Ketchel,Stanley Ketchel
Veda Ann Borg	Belle La Tour
Clarence Kolb	Betz
Chick Chandler	Stage Manager,Electrician
Kenny Williams	Dancer,Song Plugger
Michael Dalmatoff	Headwaiter
Marion Martin	Prima Donna
Art Foster	Sparring Partner
Mary Gordon	Irish Woman
Emmett Vogan	Purser
Pat O'Malley	Steward
Minerva Urecal	Militant Wife
Arthur Hohl	Barker
J. Farrell MacDonald	Doorman
Eddie Acuff	Harry
Leonard Warren	Metropolitan Opera Singer
Blanche Thebom	Metropolitan Opera Singer
William 'Billy' Newell	Ticket Clerk
Robert E. Homans	Cop
Charles Wilson	Detective
John Sheehan	Referee/Stage Manager
Marietta Canty	Phoebe the Maid
Sam Wren	Piano Player
Leo Mostovoy	Pawnbroker
Maurice Cass	Dr. Medford
Harry Seymour	Pianist
Mary Adams Hayes	Acrobat
Ray Spiker	Acrobat
Frank Marlowe	Hoofer
Ray Walker	Hoofer
Joey Ray	2nd Electrician
Alfred Newman	Composer

Technical Credits

Earl Baldwin

John Battle

Gregory Ratoff	Director
Damon Runyon	Producer
Fred Sersen	Special Effects
Earl Baldwin	Screenwriter
John Battle	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

Irish Eyes Are Smiling is an awful lot of hokum and baloney, but for those in the mood for an undemanding piece way to pass the time, it has a good deal of attraction. Anyway, no one expect Hollywood to be any good at biographies -- especially when they're songwriter biopics, where the only reason they're being filmed is to give the creators an excuse for a bunch of musical numbers. That's really the only excuse for Smiling, because the screenplay is strictly from hunger (and doesn't really make much sense into the bargain). Still, what does it matter when you have some yummy Technicolor settings splashed across the screen, taking advantage of its turn-of-the-century-ish time frame to parade a few lovely costumes? Besides, there's Monty Woolley, behaving in that irascible but irresistible manner of his, throwing in some sarcasm-laced asides every so often. And June Haver has rarely looked prettier, which is saying quite a lot indeed, and handles her musical numbers with considerable skill. Dick Haymes is no great actor, but he's in exceptionally fine voice, and that's what matters in this kind of picture. Throw in an over-qualified Anthony Quinn and some dependable character actors in support, and the result is an entertaining, if empty, little picture.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler