Platicsco Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Orla Zuniga It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

Calum Hutton It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

Brennan Camacho Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

TheLittleSongbird The main appeal of 'The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady' is the cast, my main reason for seeing it in the first place and after watching it was the main reason why it is as worthwhile as it is. Gordon McRae and Debbie Reynolds were major talents that lifted any film they were in with their presence, June Haver was also very talented but is pretty underrated now and SZ Sakall has proved numerous times that he can be a cuddly and amusing scene-stealer.Luckily, the cast don't disappoint. Haver is poised and charming throughout, while Reynolds is her usual peppy, adorable and spunky self. McRae sings a dream as always and acquits himself well in the acting stakes, while solid support also comes from Gene Nelson and a touching James Barton in a rare screen appearance.Only Sakall disappoints somewhat, with his fumbling schtick gradually coming over as annoying and overdone. Jane Darwell also doesn't register particularly strongly in a role that gives her little to do.Handsomely mounted production values and quaint photography are further things to like, as well as more than able direction and pleasant and beautifully performed music and songs. The dancing is suitably energetic and poised, and 'The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady' has its amusing and poignant moments. The film moves quickly with very rare a dull stretch.Really, Sakall, some at times rather insipid dialogue that really comes over as corny and sometimes stilted and a story that has great atmosphere but is also very slight to non-existence and with one too many routine parts are the only real issues here in 'The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady'.All in all, a charming and easy to like film that isn't great but doesn't try to be or do any more than needed. 7/10 Bethany Cox

vincentlynch-moonoi The good news is that the story line here, though predictable, is rather entertaining. Three Irish daughters are looking for romance (actually one is secretly married, another has fallen in love with vaudevillian Tony Pastor -- a real historical character, and the third is a little too young but dreaming of her future). However, their father hates show business, claiming that its stress and challenges took his wife's life when they were both vaudevillians.The bad news here is that memorable songs are few and far between...in fact, only the title song is dandy. The rest are forgettable.June Haver is the nominal star here as the daughter in love with Tony Pastor. She was a passable dancer, not quite so good on the singing.Marcia Mae Jones is the daughter who is already married, and again, does nicely here.Gordon MacRae is good as Tony Pastor. Too bad he didn't have very good songs to sing.Before watching the film, look up James Barton (the father) on Google. His is an interesting little biography.Gene Nelson is excellent as a dancer friend of Tony Pastor. I was never sure why he wasn't more of a star. Handsome and excellent dancer. S. Z. Sakall is here as a family friend, but unfortunately doesn't have much to do. Irene Seidner, a little known character actress, was good as the wife.Debbie Reynolds as the youngest daughter didn't have much to do here, although her role was tailored for her; she was 17-years-old at the time; it was her first speaking role in a film. BTW, according to Google, she had to have her ears glued back for the film!Jane Darwell has a small role as a neighbor...and it was nice to see her.It's a decent film. Not great. Not bad. Old-fashioned.

jjnxn-1 Pleasant, light headed nonsense still has its pleasures. Chief among them is Gordon MacRae singing beautifully and so handsome. He really should have been at MGM with the Freed unit to take advantage of his gifts, Warners never had the quality productions his talent deserved. Even though made on loan-out to Warners this was made at the height of 20th Century Fox's big push to make June Haver the new Betty Grable. June had a pleasing way about her, sang and danced adequately but didn't have the punch of Grable nor the vulnerability or flesh impact of the girl who would replace her within a couple of years, Marilyn Monroe. She's serviceable in the lead but not memorable.Debbie Reynolds in her first featured part is pert and bursting with her special brand of energy. Her role is small but even with that she registers on screen in a way Haver never does. A good illustration of star quality and the lack of it in one film. Gene Nelson stands out in the dance department although he is made to look ridiculous in some awful costumes but his footwork compensates. The rest of the cast all perform well and the film is loaded with color but it's all a bunch of malarkey.

Dunham16 Puttin' on a show has been one of the major success plots for Hollywood musicals starting with the iconic 1933 42ND STREET. In this version James Barton plays a New York City turn of the twentieth century horse drawn trolley driver who prefers his three daughters played by Debbie Reynolds, June Haver and a relatively unknown performer as the eldest sister to avoid bringing up past memories of their late mom's vaudeville act with their dad, James Barton. Fantastic performances by Gordon Macrae, Cuddles, Gene Nelson and James Barton add to the star studded cast which shines as a major positive of the film. The songs from old vaudeville days charm those who recall or wish to delve into the now forgotten genre but is the reason I give this film merely a nine in case some potential viewers have no interest in this type of music. Its memories of Old New York provide some of the most glorious aspects of the film which warms the heart after some typical romantic comedy setbacks.