On Our Merry Way
1948 · Movie · 108 min. · United States
Also released under the title A MIRACLE CAN HAPPEN, this three-part anthology features vignettes that are connected by a question from feature reporter Oliver Pease (Burgess Meredith): "Has a child ever changed your life?" In the first episode Henry Fonda and James Stewart star as Lank and Slim, a pair of squabbling jazz musicians who try to pick up some extra money by rigging a music contest. Little do they know that their scam involves a babe rather than a baby.The second, which stars Dorothy Lamour and Victor Moore as movie extras Gloria Manners and Ashton Carrington trying to contend with an obnoxious child star, parodies Lamour's sarong-clad image. In the third section, which echoes O. Henry's RANSOM OF RED CHIEF, Fred MacMurray and William Demarest star as hoboes Al and Floyd, who have been stuck with temporary custody of a young practical joker. To their misfortune, his wealthy uncle Eli Hobbs (Hugh Herbert) refuses to take him back without payment. Little seen even during its initial release, the film features a number of Hollywood heavyweights in fine performances. Despite a game effort by this star-studded cast, slapstick proved not to be Vidor's metier. MacMurray and Demarest, however, have a natural chemistry that was to shine when they paired again on television's MY THREE SONS.
Direction King Vidor · George Stevens · Leslie Fenton
Cast James Stewart · Henry Fonda · Burgess Meredith · Charles D. Brown · Paulette Goddard · Hugh Herbert · Dorothy Lamour · Fred MacMurray · Victor Moore · John Qualen · William Demarest · Dorothy Ford · Harry James
Soundtrack Heinz Roemheld
Screenplay Laurence Stallings · John O´Hara · Arch Oboler · Lou Breslow
Cinematography Gordon Avil · Joseph F. Biroc · Edward Cronjager · Ernest Laszlo · John F. Seitz
Original title On Our Merry Way (A Miracle Can Happen)
5.7
524 votes (FilmAffinity)
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