It Happened in Brooklyn

(Richard Whorf, US 1947, 104 min., 16mm)

Frank Sinatra shines in this postwar musical. Danny Miller (Sinatra), after finishing his military service, returns to Brooklyn to work as a song-plugger and live with friend Nick Lombardi (Jimmy Durante). He falls in love with music teacher Anne Fielding (Kathryn Grayson), but when his military buddy Jamie Shellgrove (Peter Lawford) arrives, a love triangle forms. The film is filled with the musical creations of lyricist Sammy Cahn and composer Jule Styne, including “Time After Time” and “The Song’s Gotta Come From the Heart,” which became one of Durante’s signature songs.

Post-screening discussion with Michael Lasser.