Down Missouri Way (1946)
Director:
Josef Berne
Writer:
Sam Neuman (original screenplay)Stars:
Martha O'Driscoll, John Carradine, Eddie Dean
A Hollywood movie company descends on the Ozarks in this pleasant, if low-budget, musical from PRC undoubtedly inspired by the concurrent success of Broadway's Oklahoma! Despairing of the ill-tempered behavior of Shirley, a scientifically raised mule, Dr. Jane Colwell (Martha O'Driscoll) returns to the farm in Missouri's Ozark Mountains. Shirley's indubitable talents, however, are discovered by a movie company, whose producer, Mike Burton (William Wright), sets out to win the affection of both Dr. Colwell and her obstinate animal, a feat accomplished much to the consternation of the company's star, Gloria Baxter (Renee Godfrey). The expected romantic confusion ensues and three professors from the Midland College Deptartment of Agriculture (Will Wright, Chester Clute, and Paul Scardon) descend on the movie location to put a halt to Shirley's promising screen career. But Mike and his flamboyant director (John Carradine) do their best to placate both the prominent faculty and their beast, and soon everyone is enjoying a typical Missouri hayride. Second leads Eddie Dean and Mabel Todd perform "There's a Rose That Grows in the Ozarks" and "Monkey Business"; Renee Godfrey and the Tailor-Maids take care of "Big Town Gal"; leading lady Martha O'Driscoll warbles "Never Knew That I Could Sing" and "I'm So In Love With You"; and the entire company, including John Carradine, performs "There's Nothing Like an Old Missouri Hayride."
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Farmland Domestic, Including the Animals!
The film may harken to the later Francis the Talking Mule films. The communicative beast of burden here is a female donkey. There is some amusement to be had in viewing this movie. The musical quotient is limited and dancing seldom raises its head (or, rather, heals). This one is a film that the kids in the domestic hearth probably will enjoy more than their parents.
