It Happened in Brooklyn (1947)

***SPOILERS**** Frank Sinatra is returning from the wars Pvt. Danny Miller who's suffering from shyness as well as stage fright that had made him into an oddball to everyone, especially the opposite sex, who meets him. It's in fact the US Army nurse Gloria Grahame, who in the end of the film turned out to be his secret love, treating him for a imaginary case of the mumps who give him the push or kick in the butt that he needs to get on the ball and, as they said in the 1960's, do his own thing that finally straightens him out. And in that way there's also the janitor at his high school back in Brooklyn Nick Lombarbi, played by the famous Snnazola himself Jimmy Durante, whom Danny moves in with and is encouraged by Nick to become a teenage heartthrob and singing sensation. And later have Danny help his friends also overcome their shyness and insecurities as well.Sinatra is at his best playing at first against type, afraid of girls and unable or unwilling to belt out a song, gets down to business when he meets up with Nick Lombardi who gives him the confidence that he so desperately needs. It's both music teacher Anne Fielding, Kathryn Grayson, and next in line to become the Duke of Dunstable Jamie Shellgrove, Peter Lawford, with both Nick as well as a now full of confidence in himself Danny turn around for the better as well. There's also young 16 year old pianist Leo Kardos, Billy Roy, who's stuck in working for the rest of his life as a counter-boy at his moms's, Tamara Shayne, candy store that the three, Danny Anne & Jamie, get to receive a 5 year scholarship to the prestigious "Brooklyn Academy of Music" or "Music Form" in the movie that turns out to be a one way ticket for him to Carnegie Hall.Great music including Frank Sanitra in a duet with Kathryn Grayson singing "Don Giovanni" as well as Frankie singing, while walking across it, the hometown song "Brooklyn Bridge" with the by far best song in the movie done by non other then the shy and introverted Jami Shellgrove. With Jamie playing the piano as well as singing and dancing, to the hysterical screams of a gang of wild eyed teenage girls at the local record store, "Time after Time" that in fact Danny wrote the lyrics for.

What a find! I've never seen Sinatra so appealing nor Durante quite that young! Lawford is all warmth, charm, and sincerity, and Grayson, is, well, Grayson the Divine Singer. Great film about everyday people with aspirations and heart.The plot is inspiring, the people affecting, the ending excellent, and the score wonderful. I disagree that there was too much opera, and I personally got a kick out of seeing Frankie sing opera w/Grayson. I don't know from 'Lakme', but Grayson was divine looking and sounding in that scene. Found this on VHS for $1, and feel mighty privileged to have seen it. Durante was quite remarkable in a far longer role than the small turns I've previously seen him in.

It's a friendly film from MGM - I can't say it is the best of the early MGM Sinatra musicals (ON THE TOWN is a good competitor), but it certainly gave Frank Sinatra his best part of the musicals. He was dominated in ON THE TOWN, ANCHORS AWAY, and TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALLGAME by co-star partner Gene Kelly (in fact Kelly has the center of the story lines in several of these). Here Sinatra is at center stage for a change, supported by Durante, Grayson, and Peter Lawford. His character is not as annoying naive here as in ANCHORS AWAY, and has opportunities to stretch. The only thing that is missing is that the screenplay shows he has a potential love partner at the end - but sees fit not to have her available for the finale.IT HAPPENED IN BROOKLYN is about a returning soldier (Sinatra). Stationed in England, he is going home and he is taken to task by a nurse (Gloria Grahame) for not socializing with his fellow soldiers, or the women at a final dance, or the English people. When she hears he is from Brooklyn (where she's from too) she has a fit because (as she puts it) Brooklyn people are supposed to be friendly. Prodded, Sinatra fitfully does mingle, and actually makes the acquaintance of a British Duke* (Aubrey Mather) and his grandson (Peter Lawford). The Duke's mother was from Brooklyn, and he wishes his grandson would stop being so withdrawn and more like the Brooklyn people that Mather has in his blood. Sinatra has already gotten to know that Lawford is a fine pianist and composer, and says that if Lawford ever comes to Brooklyn he should look Sinatra up and Sinatra will do what he could to open Lawford's personality up.[*Aubrey's title is Duke of Dunstable. If so, it shows that the screenwriter was acquainted with Gilbert and Sullivan: the Duke of Dunstable is one of the "Heavy Dragoons" who turn aesthetic in the opera PATIENCE. Either that, or that Duke of Dunstable (from 1881) is Aubrey's grandfather - and Lady Jane is his grandmother, and the mother-in-law of the lady from Brooklyn. What would Reginald Bunthorne have said?]When Sinatra returns to Brooklyn he meets a music teacher (Kathrine Grayson) at his old high school (New Utrecht High - which is a real high school, by the way). He also is reunited with the janitor at the high school (Durante). Jimmy invites Frank to room with him while he tries to find work. Soon his pep talks and support allow Sinatra to get a better job in a music store, and encourage Sinatra to date Grayson. But then Lawford shows up, and he and Grayson soon find themselves left on their own while Sinatra gets involved in his career, Lawford's potential musical career (as songwriter), and helping Grayson push the potentially great career of a local piano prodigy (William Roy) who desperate needs a scholarship to continue studies. As Grayson and Lawford are together more and more (with only Durante noticing what's happening) the inevitable occurs as they start falling for each other. And we'll leave the conclusion for the viewer to find.It has a nice score, including the standard TIME AFTER TIME. But most movie buffs recall the film's music for two sequences with Frank. In one he just lands in Brooklyn, and he takes a cab to his favorite landmark: the Brooklyn Bridge. And he sings to it. Later, when he has to audition for a promotion at the music store, Durante accompanies him, and they sing the duet "You Got To Sing From The Heart". The latter sequence was shown in the movie THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT - but part was cut, wherein both singers tackle foreign language lyrics (from "Oy Tchochonya" among other tunes). But it ends with Frank going into his imitation of Jimmy's style, down to Jimmy's leg movements. He does a nice imitation - and would do it again in later television shows, wherein Jimmy would show up again unannounced.Grayson does her opera aria - the "Bell Song" from Delibes' LAKME. It is a lovely number - but too static. Lawford also sings (a "boogy-woogy" number) in the music shop, to show he too is loosening up. On the whole it is an entertaining film - not one of the great musicals of all time, but worthy of it's stars and pleasant to watch. I only wish they had just thought better of not bringing Sinatra's future choice of girlfriend back. But you can't have everything.

I found this to be a sweet movie with likable characters and good music. It was a delight to watch. Really enjoyed Jimmy Durante! Kathryn Grayson had such a lovely voice. Frank Sinatra's voice still had some maturing to do but still was a joy to listen to. Peter Lawford looked so young. Did not realize that it was Andre Previn playing the piano but should have known it was an expert on the keys. Black and white movies still have the ability to make a statement. And to see a movie with a happy ending is a real treat. I will be looking for additional movies of this caliber to enjoy that do not expose me to bloodshed or graphic sex. I highly recommend this film and would enjoy watching it again.