On Moonlight Bay (1951)

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Siskoid
There's no real reason for On Moonlight Bay to have the title it does, except that they use the song (and that it's from the period presented, i.e. the 1910s). I wouldn't even call it much of a musical - it's at least back-loaded - more in the same vein as films like Life with Father, with Doris Day doing her blooming tomboy thing as ably as usual, the romcom plot the only real thread to follow in what would otherwise be a series of vignettes. I was surprised at how much the kid brother was featured, but looking into it, the film is loosely based on Tarkington's Penrod stories, which ARE about a 12-year-old boy. Wesley gets into all sorts of trouble, but the movie is smart enough to connect his shenanigans to his sister's story. It's still a bit messy in terms of plot, but you get a bit of period nostalgia, a bit of comedy, a bit of music, a bit of romance, a silent film spoof, a bit of daydreaming fantasy, and a bit of growing up and it's all rather pleasant. I like Doris Day movies, but they are generally fluff and this one's no different. But sometimes you want a piece of cotton candy, y'know? 3 years 8 months ago