{"id":42689,"date":"2019-02-12T21:28:00","date_gmt":"2019-02-13T04:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=42689"},"modified":"2020-12-10T23:32:41","modified_gmt":"2020-12-11T06:32:41","slug":"my-sister-eileen-1955","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=42689","title":{"rendered":"My Sister Eileen (1955)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;Oh, they were interested &#8212; but not in my acting.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Poster-156x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"156\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-42690\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Poster-156x300.jpg 156w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Poster-67x128.jpg 67w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Poster.jpg 520w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 156px) 100vw, 156px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA writer (Betty Garrett) and her aspiring-actress sister Eileen (Janet Leigh) move to New York City and are convinced by a Greek landlord (Kurt Kaszner) to rent a basement apartment next to an out-of-work wrestler (Dick York) and his girlfriend (Lucy Marlow). Busty Eileen draws attention everywhere she goes &#8212; specifically from a soda fountain manager (Bob Fosse) and his acquaintance (Tommy Rall); meanwhile, Ruth (Garrett) tries to sell some of her stories about life with her attractive sister to a publisher (Jack Lemmon) who believes Garrett is &#8220;Eileen&#8221;.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Brian Aherne Films<\/li>\n<li>Jack Lemmon Films<\/li>\n<li>Janet Leigh<\/li>\n<li>Musicals<\/li>\n<li>New York City<\/li>\n<li>Writers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nBob Fosse choreographed and co-starred in this enjoyable Cinemascope musical &#8212; based on a 1940 play by Jerome Chodorov and Joseph Fields &#8212; which was itself inspired by <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ruth_McKenney\">Ruth McKenney&#8217;s autobiographical stories<\/a>. The storyline, focusing on two young hopefuls navigating The Big City, remains as timeless as ever, and while it&#8217;s challenging to watch Eileen literally harassed wherever she goes, we can contextualize the scenario as &#8220;of the era&#8221; and be grateful we&#8217;ve moved on at least somewhat (or have we?). Garrett is  pitch-perfect in the leading role, and Leigh is appropriately guileless as her lovable sister; there&#8217;s no way one could dislike Eileen as portrayed here. The musical sequences are a delight, and it&#8217;s fun to see Fosse himself on-screen. I also happen to enjoy the subplot about &#8220;Wreck&#8221; (York) hanging around the apartment making himself useful, his &#8220;unique&#8221;, oh-so-New-York relationship with Marlow unthreatened by Leigh&#8217;s presence.   <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Betty Garrett as Ruth<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Garrett.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Garrett-1024x402.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"251\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-42695\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Garrett.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Garrett-128x50.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Garrett-300x118.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Garrett-768x302.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Janet Leigh as Eileen<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Leigh.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Leigh-1024x402.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"251\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-42696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Leigh.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Leigh-128x50.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Leigh-300x118.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Leigh-768x302.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fun musical sequences (choreographed by Bob Fosse)<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Dances.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Dances-1024x402.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"251\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-42693\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Dances.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Dances-128x50.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Dances-300x118.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Dances-768x302.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Dances2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Dances2-1024x402.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"251\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-42694\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Dances2.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Dances2-128x50.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Dances2-300x118.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Dances2-768x302.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine Cinemascope cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Cinematography-1024x402.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"251\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-42692\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Cinematography.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Cinematography-128x50.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Cinematography-300x118.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Cinematography-768x302.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>An enjoyably witty script<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Script.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Script-1024x402.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"251\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-42691\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Script.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Script-128x50.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Script-300x118.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/My-Sister-Eileen-Script-768x302.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as an enjoyable musical. Listed as a Personal Recommendation in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Good Show<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0048401\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1955\/09\/23\/archives\/ruth-and-her-sister-eileen-are-back-in-town-musical-film-arrives-at.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dvdtalk.com\/reviews\/15138\/my-sister-eileen-1955\/\">DVD Talk Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/3700\/my-sister-eileen#articles-reviews?articleId=88888\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;Oh, they were interested &#8212; but not in my acting.&#8221; Synopsis: A writer (Betty Garrett) and her aspiring-actress sister Eileen (Janet Leigh) move to New York City and are convinced by a Greek landlord (Kurt Kaszner) to rent a basement apartment next to an out-of-work wrestler (Dick York) and his girlfriend (Lucy Marlow). Busty Eileen draws attention everywhere she goes &#8212; specifically from a soda fountain manager (Bob Fosse) and his acquaintance (Tommy Rall); meanwhile, Ruth (Garrett) tries to sell&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=42689\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-42689","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42689","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=42689"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42689\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":57005,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/42689\/revisions\/57005"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=42689"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=42689"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=42689"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}