If you can ignore a few stupid musical numbers (especially the one that occurs in Doris' dream) and if you can ignore that the film isn't especially deep, you will enjoy watching "It's a Great Feeling". It also is wonderful because there are many wonderful cameos--such as Ronald Reagan, Jane Wyman, Gary Cooper, Joan Crawford and, the best, Errol Flynn (along with many more). It's a film historians dream!
The film begins with a funny little story about Jack Carson being given a chance to direct a film. It seems that EVERYONE at the studio hates him and would rather work with Satan than Carson! However, when Carson and his friend, Dennis Morgan (both playing themselves) discover an unknown, Judy Adams (Day),they realize she's got tons of talent and set out to make her a star. However, along the way, they end up driving the producer INSANE and they come to realize that being a star might not be the best thing for sweet Judy.
The film is a lot of fun, though it is funny that Carson and Morgan played themselves and Day played an unknown--as she'd already starred in two films AND was a huge name singing for the Les Brown Orchestra. Ignore this--just enjoy. Silly, but enjoyable throughout. Plus, the ending was terrific.
It's a Great Feeling
1949
Action / Comedy / Music
Plot summary
Warner Bros. producer Arthur Trent has hired Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson to star in his latest musical picture, with the working title "Mademoiselle Fifi". The problem Trent faces is that no one wants to work with the two hammy actors. To solve part of Trent's problem, he hires Carson to direct the picture. Carson helming the production leads to further problems in trying to find a leading lady, as anyone of respectability knows that Carson will give himself all the screen time. Meanwhile, small town girl Judy Adams has just arrived in Hollywood and is working at the Warner Bros. commissary. She wants to break into pictures and does whatever she can to meet anyone at the studio who can help her. Initially, neither Morgan or Carson give her the time of day, but Morgan convinces Carson that she is the perfect person to star in the movie if only to get the project off the ground. They, however face an uphill battle in convincing Trent. Carson and Morgan try one hair-brained scheme after another to showcase Judy to a frazzled Trent. Ultimately, Morgan and Carson do believe that Judy has star potential and want to help her even if it's not starring in "Mademoiselle Fifi". They have to balance their want to get Judy onto the big screen against her competing priority of marrying Jeffrey Bushdinkle, the supposedly hayseed farmer boy waiting for her at home in Goerkes Corner, Wisconsin.
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Enjoyable fluff..
Had a good feeling watching this film
For anybody who loves Golden Age Hollywood, Doris Day (very early on in her film career) and musicals, all of those apply to me, are very likely to find a lot to enjoy about 'It's a Great Feeling'. 'It's a Great Feeling' is not quite "great", but it is "good".
Admittedly the story is best forgotten. It is paper thin and cobbled together, with a shopworn concept (even in 1949) and parts being on the improbable side. The songs are very pleasant and beautifully performed by mainly Doris Day and Dennis Morgan, but, aside from the title song and the lovely duet "Blame My Absent-Minded Heart", they're of the inoffensive but not particularly memorable kind. Some of the pacing could perhaps have been tightened in places.
However, 'It's a Great Feeling' looks beautiful in colour and evokes a real sense of nostalgia in how it's all produced. As said, the songs are performed beautifully, while David Butler's direction is some of his more competent and engaged.
'It's a Great Feeling' excels in the script, which is funny and witty as well as fairly gentle in places. It particularly shines in the scenes between Doris Day and Bill Goodwin, which certainly showed that even early on in her film career Day had a gift for comedy.
While Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson are amusing and likable enough as themselves, it's Day in every way who shines the most, so graceful and charming as well as being a natural comedienne and an amazing singer. Along with Day, the biggest joy is the cameos. Most are very short and there are perhaps a little too many but they certainly hit more than they miss, don't think any of them missed actually, though it does help to have knowledge of who the cameos are.
Some great scenes, especially "Blame My Absent-Minded Heart", Irving Bacon, the Maurice Chevalier impression and a corker of a twist ending that nobody expects in a million years. The best of the cameos are Gary Cooper, Edward G. Robinson and particularly the pricelessly crazy one from Joan Crawford.
Overall, good fun. 7/10 Bethany Cox
A funny story boosted by a GREAT cast!
Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson are again buddies in this one.They are trying to get the lovely Doris Day in movies.There are many cameos by Warner Brothers stars including Joan Crawford,Danny Kaye and Errol Flynn..(He plays Jeffery Bushfinkle!).The best part of this movie in my opinion is when Dennis and Doris sing BLAME MY ABSENT-MINDED HEART together.They both had such beautiful voices it's a joy to hear them sing!! People who love star-filled movies or just like to see Dennis and Jack being funny together should see this film!