Film Festival: The Islands and Tropicana Weekend in Havana (1941) is a fun musical romantic comedy that takes place in pre-war Havana. Cuba was a land of nightclubs and exciting drinks, sugar cane fields, hibiscus, ginger, and anthurium flowers. Rom-coms always revolve around the “meet cute” of the couple destined for romance. This musical is…
Mack Gordon
Lisa’s Home Bijou: Song of the Islands musical film
Film Festival: The Islands and Tropicana Song of the Islands (1942) shows the influence of cowboys on the Hawaiian cattle ranches. Ranches in Hawai’i brought an interesting mix of people to the islands. The Hawaiian culture has a strong expression in music and dance, both showcased in this film, with Betty Grable adding extra glamour…
Lisa’s Home Bijou: Springtime in the Rockies
Film Festival: Latin Flavor Carmen Miranda’s vivaciousness and unique style are showcased in the 1942 film, Springtime in the Rockies. Portuguese by birth, Carmen Miranda emigrated to Brazil with her family as a youngster. As a teen she began working as a milliner and sang a bit on the radio. Although Carmen never grew past…