MY GAL SAL

US, 1942, 103 minutes, Colour.
Rita Hayworth, Victor Mature, John Sutton. Carole Landis. James Gleason, Phil Silvers.
Directed by Irving Cummings.

My Gal Sal is a typical 20th. Century Fox musical of the early '40s ? colourful but not as imaginative as M.G.M. musicals. This is a biography of songwriter Paul Dresser, brother of author Theodore Dreiser (An American Tragedy, Sister Carrie) who wrote the story and screenplay of this film. Dresser was the composer of several very popular songs and led the way in American song writing of the 20th. century. Victor Mature is quite good in the role, but not quite good enough. Rita Hayworth is Sal and portrays the character in a typical musical comedy manner, little of the verve that she was to bring to such roles as Gilda three years later. The film is colourful, conventional and enjoyable for those fond of this kind of musical.

1. An entertaining musical comedy in the American tradition?

2. The authorship by Theodore Dreiser and his insight into his brother ? within the conventions of the musical comedy biography? Its appeal in its time, now? Changes in sensibility?

3. Colour photography, atmosphere - carnival. theatre, wealthy New York hotels etc.? The sets and decor? The score and the use of Paul Dresser's songs? The composition of the songs and their visual presentation on stage etc.? An attractive musical?

4. The glossy treatment of Paul Dresser's career? the presentation of his Indiana home, his prospects for religious ministry, his leaving hone? His going on the road with confidence tricksters? The ridicule of the theatre people? His defiant going to New York, success with his first song, the combination with Sally Elliot, the growing success, flirting with society and the countess, the fights with Sally and reconciliation? The composing of the songs within this framework? How credible as the story of the man's career? Popular presentation ? and the ups and downs of a popular songwriter?

5. The choice of Victor Mature for the role of Dresser? His personal presence and style? The dubbed voice for his singing? His how background, the fight with his father about the suit, his farewell to his mother? His character and going on the road, his being tarred and feathered after the exploiting of the people about the jewellery? His piano-playing for the medicine people? His friendship with Mae? His going to New York, meting the song publisher and doing a deal with him, the motivation of not being laughed at? Clashes with Sally Elliot and friendships? Business deals, the parties to commemorate songs, Sally's attraction towards his music? Growing success, publication, clothes etc.? The flirtation with the countess and its effect on him and the irony of his being challenged to the duel, going to the party, falling out with Sally? His failure song? His going to San Francisco with My Gal Sal? The happy ending and the return to the ferris wheel in the fairground?

6. Rita Hayworth as Sal? Her personal presence, singing and dancing style, although her voice was dubbed? Laughing at Paul, attracted by his songs, singing them? Her outings with him, the parties, the humiliation with the countess? The proposal, her slashing his clothes to pieces, vice versa? Success in San Francisco? Her manager and his support? The happy ending?

7. The gallery of characters in the background giving credibility and enjoyment to the plot: Dresser's family, the confidence man robbing the people because of the jewellery, Mae and her rescuing Paul and helping him, the medicine man and the Indians? The publisher and his push, his printer and his drinking? Sally's producer and his devotion to her? The countess and her flirting? New York society? Characters sketched for the purpose of the biography? The humour of Phil Silvers in an early role with his comedy and singing?

8. The tradition of popular American music and songs and its development in the 20th. century? Dresser's contribution? Broadway and musical shows?

9. The special effects, choreography, singing, theatricality? Comedy routines? Romance? A popular audience for this kind of perennial musical biography?