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The Bride Goes Wild with June Allyson and Van Johnson

October 26, 2019 By Joi Leave a Comment

June Allyson

Two of my favorite Old Hollywood stars are June Allyson and Van Johnson. I was actually a huge fan of each star before I saw my first film of them together. Once I began watching the movies they made together, however, my level of obsession for each grew to new heights. There was something extraordinary about their chemistry and the way they worked together.

Do I, personally, put them on par with Hollywood’s greatest, most iconic movie couples:

  • Maureen O’Hara and John Wayne
  • Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
  • Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart
  • Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney
  • Myrna Loy and William Powell
  • Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte, Jr.
  • Barbara Stanwyck and Henry Fonda
  • Doris Day and Rock Hudson

Yes. Yes I do. And without hesitation. Comedic pairings are just as delicious and iconic as dramatic pairings, after all, and they were two of the best.

June Allyson and Van Johnson made five films together for MGM from 1944 to 1953 and every single one of them is excellent.

The most recent one I watched (for the first time, oddly enough, in spite of having seen all of the others multiple times) was The Bride Goes Wild (1948). This was the third film the duo made together and, IMO, one of their best. It might just be their best, in my opinion, but I’ll have to wait for the initial “wow” factor to calm down to determine for sure. You know how it is, when you first fall in love with a film, you forget nearly every one you’ve ever seen before it.

I’ll get to just how much I love this movie in a moment, but I have to just say that this is one of the most oddly-named films of all time. Sure, there is a bride and, sure, she goes wild… but not for the vast majority of the film.

It’s just not at all what the film is about! I realize a film’s title doesn’t amount to a hill of beans (weird phrase) but it was odd enough for me to mention.

The Bride Goes Wild Movie Poster

Now for the movie: It is a hilarious delight from the opening to the closing. There are more than a handful of laugh out loud moments, thanks both to a darn good script AND the wonderful comedic talents of June Allyson, Van Johnson, Hume Cronyn, Una Merkel, Jackie “Butch” Jenkins and Arlene Dahl (in a small but memorable role).

June Allyson plays Martha Terryton, an illustrator who happens to also be a school teacher. She is hired as the illustrator for children’s book author Greg Rawlings. Hume Cronyn is Greg’s much put-upon publisher, John McGrath, and Una Merkel is his wonderful secretary Miss Doberly.

Hume Cronyn and Una Merkel had a very similar quality – whenever each graced a movie, they always left you wanting MORE. They worked the same magic in The Bride Goes Wild… while I LOVED every second of Martha and Greg’s adventures, I wanted desperately to see more of John and Miss Doberly’s! They could have had a movie of their own and I’d have sat glued to every scene.

Jackie Butch Jenkins and Van Johnson in The Bride Goes Wild

One of the best things about the movie stood oh, only about “this high.” Jackie “Butch” Jenkins stars as an adorable little boy named Danny and he does an absolutely outstanding job. I would say that he is outstanding “for such a young boy,” but his performance was wonderful for any age. He conveys each and every emotion perfectly and draws you into what his character (a central one, at that) is feeling and makes what he is going through palpable.

If I’m a director, I ask for no more than that!

The Bride Goes Wild (going to take exception to this title for the rest of my life, it seems) is an absolutely delightful, fun, and hilarious film. Plenty of laugh out loud moments and just a solid good time. I hope you’ll check it out as soon as possible – and then go on to see the rest of Van Johnson and June Allyson’s movies.

They’re all so much fun!

Filed Under: Hume Cronyn, June Allyson, Una Merkel, Van Johnson Tagged With: Hume Cronyn, June Allyson, Una Merkel, Van Johnson

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Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein

My name is Joi (“Joy”) and I created Hollywood Yesterday as my personal tribute to Old Hollywood. It’s my effort to help keep the stars from Old Hollywood, Classic Television, and Old Radio Shows alive and shining forever. Old Hollywood was sheer magic and I see no reason for the magic to ever die! Read more about Hollywood Yesterday (and see my own favorites) here.

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See the Old Hollywood Actresses page for the index of Classic Hollywood Actresses and Classic TV Actresses.

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The beauty above is Silent Film star Mildred Davis. She was a frequent co-star (and longtime wife) of legendary actor Harold Lloyd. She’s one of my favorite silent film actresses and one I can’t understand not being a household name!

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There’s nothing quite like watching a movie from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Whether it’s a Musical, Western, Comedy, Romance, Film Noir, or Drama – if it’s on, I’m not too far away… with popcorn and raspberry tea in hand and a couple of cats nearby.

Below are a few Old Hollywood movie reviews I’ve done on the blog. There are, as you’d imagine, a lot more to come. – Joi (“Joy”)

We’re in the Money (Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell)

The Naked Spur (James Stewart, Janet Leigh)

The Prince and the Showgirl (Marilyn Monroe, Laurence Olivier)

The White Sister (Helen Hayes, Clark Gable)

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Howard Keel, Jane Powell, Russ Tamblyn, Julie Newmar)

Rio Bravo (John Wayne, Dean Martin, Angie Dickinson, Ricky Nelson, Walter Brennan)

El Dorado (John Wayne, Robert Mitchum, James Caan, Charlene Holt, Michele Carey)

Rio Grande (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara)

Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein (What is it With Me and These Movies??)

The Stooge (Jerry Lewis’ favorite Lewis and Martin Movie… for good reason.)

Critic’s Choice (Hilarious movie starring Bob Hope and Lucille Ball)

To Please a Lady (Clark Gable and Barbara Stanwyck team up in a fast track movie)

Grand Hotel (Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Lionel Barrymore)

Hearts Divided (Marion Davies, Dick Powell)

The Quiet Man (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, Barry Fitzgerald)

More Old Hollywood Movie Reviews

Classic Hollywood Books & Biographies (Reviews)

Maureen O'Hara's Autobiography 'Tis Herself

‘Tis Herself by Maureen O’Hara
I Know Where I'm Going (Katharine Hepburn Biography) and Princess

I Know Where I’m Going: Katharine Hepburn, A Personal Biography

Debbie Reynolds Unsinkable
Unsinkable: A Memoir by Debbie Reynolds

Ginger Rogers Autobiography - Ginger: My Story

Ginger by Ginger Rogers
Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball

Love, Lucy by Lucille Ball
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Getting to Know the Gorgeous and Talented Dorothy Dandridge

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Find out just how much I (truly) Love Lucy in the Lucille Ball category. I’m warning you, I call it an obsession for a very good reason…

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