Happy Thanksgiving! - By the Light of the Silvery Moon

Warner Bros, 1953
Starring Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, Billy Gray, and Leon Ames
Directed by David Butler
Music by various composes

On Moonlight Bay was a huge hit for Warners, enough to warrant one of the very rare musical sequels. The sequel features a sequence set at Thanksgiving, which, along with the same warm and fuzzy feeling it shares from the original film, is reason enough to review it on a holiday known for tradition and nostalgia. Does it deserve a place at your Thanksgiving table, or should it be sent out to be stuffed? Let's return to the Wakefield home, just in time for Armistice Day...

The Story: It's a few days before Thanksgiving, 1918. Bill Sherman (MacRae) is finally home from the war, to the delight of his mechanic girlfriend Marjorie (Day). Marjorie wants to get married right away, but Bill is determined to earn enough money to live before jumping into a wedding. They quarrel over the change, but after Bill gets a job at the bank, agree that it's the smart thing to do.

Meanwhile, Marjorie's little brother Westley (Gray) is having his own growing pains. First, he gets so attached to the Thanksgiving turkey, he steals one from another house rather than let the butcher kill his new favorite pet. Shortly after the turkey incident, he finds a note from his father to an actress and thinks he's having an affair with her. Marjorie is so upset, she won't marry Bill... and Bill thinks Marjorie is the one having an affair with her dull suitor Chester Finley (Russell Arms). Everything finally comes out during a skating party for Mr. and Mrs. Winfield's (Ames and Rosemary DeCamp) anniversary.

The Song and Dance: Westley's wild imagination and some cute numbers provide most of the fun in this one. As someone who is also a big fan of both mysteries and old-time pulp fiction, I got the biggest kick out of the scene where he imagines himself to be a detective who rounds up a whole nest of thieves. DeCamp, Ames, and Mary Wickes as the ever-sarcastic maid Stella have more to do this time around, especially when they all think Mr. Winfield is cheating on his wife in the second half. I also love the opening, with Stella breaking the fourth wall to provide her own commentary on each member of the family.

Favorite Number: Along with Westley's daydreams, my favorite part of this one is the adorable "Ain't We Got Fun" number, with Stella, Marjorie, Bill, and Mr. Winfield having a great time getting the food ready for Thanksgiving dinner. You have to agree with Mr. Winfield when he says that preparing the food is just as much fun as eating the meal! MacRae and Day also get to have fun with "Be My Little Baby Bumble Bee," which Chester starts in an attempt to woo Marjorie...only to have her end up with Bill when he gets in on the song.

What I Don't Like: Despite some twists in the plot, this is more-or-less a rehash of the first movie. Once again, we have Bill opposed to marrying Marjorie, either because of his own ambitions and opinions or a rumor Wesley (inadvertently) started about his father. We have an annoying suitor that Wesley helps get rid of, all leading up to a big party. I can understand Bill wanting to start a nest egg, but pretty much everything else that leads the two of them to their on-again, off-again nuptials is just ridiculous, and it gets annoying after a while. And though Doris Day throws her all into the "King Chanticleer" number in the local show, it's defeated by odd choreography and some really strange costumes. (Though, to be fair, it is supposed to be just a little number in a local show.)

The Big Finale: Same deal here. If you loved the first one, are a fan of Day or MacRae, or enjoy musical nostalgia or coming-of-age stories, this is one Thanksgiving table you'll want to join...whether the turkey is on it, or running around it.

Home Media: The sequel was almost as big of a hit as the original film, and is equally easy to find. Your best bet may be to buy the TCM two-pack that includes both movies.

DVD
DVD - TCM 2-Pack: On Moonlight Bay/By the Light of the Silvery Moon
Amazon Prime

And I hope all of my US readers had a wonderful Thanksgiving with their own families!