Review of Three Daring Daughters (1948) by Greg W — 05 Sep 2012

With color films there were a lot of movies in which women had red hair. This is one of them. It also has a remarkable similarity to I Love Lucy in which a red head marries an Hispanic musician. Jeanette McDonald plays a mother of three (Louise Morgan) who falls for Jose Iturbi (as himself), the great piano player.

The twist is Louise does not tell her daughters that she has married Jose while the daughters are trying to get their mother and father, Mr. Morgan back together. Comedy happens when the whole group, at different times and each with varying combinations go to Mr.

Morgan's boss, Edward Arnold as Robert Nelson to either get him to come back to town or to keep him away, always as he is eating dinner during these intrusions. It gives us a chance to hear Jeanette's great voice and to listen to Mr.

Iturbi at the piano many times, along with Jane Powell, who plays one of the daughters, who also sings. It is also the only time I have seen a harmonica not only play in an orchestra but as a feature instrument.

It is not particularly inventive but it is interesting as it is open about divorce, taboo back in the 40's, the cast is very good even if the story is not so great. This was Jeanette's last movie role and I believe her only one in color which in itself is note-worthy.