My Gal Sal

Studio mogul Darryl F. Zanuck did plenty of searching for the female lead for this entertaining, though fundamentally fictitious, story of songwriter Paul Dreiser, brother of novelist Theodore Dreiser, who penned the novel on which this screenplay is based. Before deciding upon Rita Hayworth--based upon her strong work in BLOOD AND SAND and YOU'LL NEVER GET RICH--Zanuck tried to give the role to Alice Faye, Irene Dunne, Mae West, and Betty Grable. Then, to get even with Carole Landis, who'd refused a part in BLOOD AND SAND, Zanuck cast her in a throwaway supporting role here. Victor Mature, as the songwriter, is better than most people expected, though his strong p...