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April Showers

1948, Movie, NR, 93 mins

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A pair of turn-of-the-century vaudevillians, Joe and June Tyme (Jack Carson and Ann Sothern) have little success until their talented son, Buster (Robert Ellis), joins their act. The trio then hits it big in New York, but the Gerry Society (the real-life group devoted to keeping children under 16 off the stage) comes after them, sending the deeply depressed Joe into an alcohol-induced tailspin. Unable to endure his abuse, June and the kids head for the West Coast, where they continue to perform under the management of Billy Shay (Robert Alda), who has his eye on the shapely June. Finally, Joe sees what's going down through his alcoholic stupor, sobers up, beats the tar out of the sleazy manager, and is reunited with his family for a touching and satisfying conclusion. Good acting, excellent production values (all the sets and costumes are meticulously crafted), and some good songs contribute to making the 93 minutes spent with APRIL SHOWERS entertaining ones. Songs include "April Showers," "Put on Your Old Gray Bonnet," "Cuddle Up a Little Closer," "Carolina in the Morning," "Every Little Movement Has a Meaning All Its Own," "Mr. Lovejoy and Mr. Gay," along with new tunes, "The World's Most Beautiful Girl" (Kim Gannon and Ted Fetter) and "Little Trouper" (Gannon and Walter Kent). leave a comment
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