JohnHowardReid Director: CURTIS BERNHARDT. Screenplay: Casey Robinson, Richard Macaulay, Jerry Wald. Story: Leonard Spigelgass. Photography: Charles Rosher. Film editor: Rudi Fehr. Art director: Robert Haas. Make-up: Perc Westmore. Costumes designed by Orry-Kelly. Dialogue director: Hugh Cummings. Music composed by Frederick Hollander. Music director: Leo F. Forbstein. Songs: "I Found a Million Dollar Baby" (chorus) by Harry Warren (music), Mort Dixon and Billy Rose (lyrics); "Who Is In Your Dreams Tonight?" (Wynn) by Frederick Hollander. Assistant director: Chuck Hansen. Sound recording: Charles Lang. RCA Sound System. Associate producer: David Lewis. Executive producer: Hal B. Wallis. Copyright 31 May 1941 by Warner Brothers Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Strand: 6 June 1941. U.S. release: 31 May 1941. Australian release: 7 August 1941. 9,073 feet. 100 minutes.SYNOPSIS: Poor (but beautiful) salesgirl suddenly inherits one million dollars.COMMENT: Here we have a program picture. A saleable cast and a good bit of money thrown around on sets and extras, but it doesn't quite come off. Audiences would be disappointed if the movie turned up as a main attraction, so it needs to be coupled with a stronger movie. That way, audiences can come late for "Million Dollar Baby" and not feel chagrined that they've carelessly missed out on ten or forty minutes of superlative entertainment. Nevertheless, Million Dollar Baby has many things going for it, especially the lovely Priscilla Lane who makes an entrancing and charming heroine. In fact, I can't imagine anyone else that I'd rather see so expensively gowned. Admittedly, even in her earlier scenes, Miss Lane looks absolutely radiant, thanks to first-class make-up and lighting. May Robson also has a role that she can do justice to, but Ronald Regan is nowhere near as indulgently treated by the script. He does his best with the unrewarding part, but is easily outshone by the personably suave Jeffrey Lynn. A solid support cast includes Helen Westley as a selfishly irascible landlady, Walter Catlett as a harassed floorwalker, James Burke as a store detective (I love the way he vibrates his hat), and his look-alike character actor Edward Gargan (pronounced, "Garry- gen, to rhyme with "pen"), delightfully insolent here as a smart-Alec customs official.Bernhardt's direction is inclined to be slow and heavy-handed, but other production credits, including Rosher's glossy cinematography, are top-drawer. The musical program's high-light turns out to be a tuneful song by svelte Nan Wynn. Mr. Reagan himself claims responsibility for his deliberately mediocre piano- playing.

Michael Morrison For years I have wanted to found a city just to be able to name one of the nicest streets "Priscilla Lane." Of course, I'd want two more to name Rosemary and Lola, too.But Priscilla is the star of "Million Dollar Baby," giving one of her most sparkling performances. She is so lovable, so adorable that even if she had ever given a bad performance, this role would wipe it out.Ronald Reagan also gives one of his best performances, with him as a pianist/composer hitting just -- pardon the pun -- the right note. It's worth saying twice: He gives one of his best performances.Jeffrey Lynn is also great. He was a good-looking guy and extremely likable in this role.May Robson probably couldn't give a bad performance, and she certainly didn't in "Million Dollar Baby." Very interesting is John Qualen, in a sympathetic role and not speaking with a Scandinavian accent.There are some wonderful lines in this intelligent script, even if some of us watching are puzzled by some of the characters' attitude toward money, and toward getting wads of it.Oh, look for the handsome Charles Drake in an uncredited role.He was just one of a large and excellent cast, far too many of whom didn't get credit, including the great Herb Vigran (whom I had met when he was in a play with Richard Thomas, and than whom he was a better actor), and he was on screen so briefly I didn't even see him, but he's listed here at IMDb.One other standout among the un-credited is Irving Bacon as the repulsive federal PIG (Person In Government). Though the scene was no doubt intended as comedy, today's headlines make it too true to be funny.Seriously, this is a very good movie. I'll watch it again.

malcolmgsw Whilst May Robson is on the screen this film is entertaining.As soon as she disappears the film goes down the drain.Priscilla Lane seems to think that the quicker you deliver lines the funnier they will be.Reagans character is so poorly written that you don't know if he is meant to be funny or serious.This must be the umpteenth film of this era where a popular musician had written a symphony.Lynn is plain anonymous.In my view there is only one reason why a film like this seems to have permanently disappeared from sight.The reason is that it simply is not funny or entertaining any more.So don't bother to waste your time watching this film.Watching paint dry is much more interesting!

mark.waltz When crotchety old May Robson discovers that her father cheated his best friend out of his share of their business (causing his suicide), she sets out to find the man's descendants to give them part of her fortune. In New York City, her young lawyer (Jeffrey Lynn) locates the man's perky granddaughter (Priscilla Lane), a struggling shopgirl. Living in Helen Westley's decrepit boarding house with her struggling piano player boyfriend (Ronald Reagen) down the hall, Lane befriends Robson who moves into the boarding house to check her out. Then, Lynn arrives to see Lane while she is working to inform her of her new fortune. Of course, she thinks he's a masher, and Reagen also takes a dislike to him as well. Once everything comes out, the way is paved for a lot of chaos, laughs, and lessons.Resembling "The Devil & Miss Jones" released the same year, we have May Robson in place of Charles Coburn as the crusty millionaire. Their motives were totally different: Robson was giving away her fortune, while Coburn was spying on union activism in his store. However, they end up involved in the romantic involvements of the young people they become attached to.Lovably cantankerous, Robson is delightful, and as her surrogate granddaughter, Lane is fine as well. Best remembered for "Four Daughters" (with her two sisters) and "Arsenic and Old Lace", Lane is charming and delightful. Jeffrey Lynn is handsome and suave, while future President Reagan gives a not-too-bad performance as well. In a small role, well known character comedienne Lee Patrick is hysterical as a hot-tempered balloon dancer who exchanges barbs with salty Helen Westley, another delightful mature character actress of the 30's and 40's. Robson and Westley could have easily switched roles.Worth seeing, "Million Dollar Baby" was one of those wonderful Warner Brothers ensemble pieces that still manages to stand the test of time.