Tonight and Every Night - A 1945 Musical -directed by Victor Saville and starring Rita Hayworth, Lee Bowman and Janet Blair. - Set in London During the Blitz - From Columbia Pictures

Tonight and Every Night - A 1945 Musical -directed by Victor Saville and starring Rita Hayworth, Lee Bowman and Janet Blair. - Set in London During the Blitz - From Columbia Pictures

 
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Tonight and Every Night is set in a London Theater during the Blitz. The theater manager is determined to keep things going even when they have to preform some nights in the subways as bombs crash above them.

Rita Hayworth was the number one "pin up girl" for American troops in World War Two.  In Gilda we saw her in black-and-white, it was glorious to see her in Technicolor.

The film portrays wartime romance and tragedy in a London musical show, loosely modelled on the Windmill Theatre in Soho, that determined not to miss a single performance during the Blitz. Hayworth plays an American showgirl from Saint Louis who falls in love with an RAF pilot played by Bowman.

The film opens with the bombing of London during the Blitz. The Music Box Theatre, a London musical show, is determined to keep performing, even as bombs fall around them. Rosalind Bruce (Hayworth), an American showgirl, is new to the theater and is initially reluctant to perform under such dangerous conditions. However, she soon falls in love with RAF pilot Paul Lundy (Bowman), and her resolve to keep performing strengthens.

The film follows the couple's romance as they navigate the challenges of wartime London. Paul is often away on missions, and Rosalind is left to worry about his safety. The theater is also not immune to the war, and it is damaged in a bombing raid. However, the performers continue to put on shows, determined to bring some joy to the people of London.

Tonight and Every Night was a critical and commercial success. It was nominated for two Academy Awards: Best Music, Original Song (for "Anywhere") and Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture. The film is considered a classic of the wartime musical genre, and it features some of Hayworth's most iconic performances.

Here are some of the things that make Tonight and Every Night a special film:

The film's setting during the Blitz is both realistic and suspenseful. The bombing scenes are particularly well-done, and they help to create a sense of urgency and danger.

The performances by Hayworth and Bowman are both excellent. Hayworth is particularly radiant in the musical numbers, and she brings a lot of emotional depth to the role of Rosalind.

The film's score is by George Duning and Marlin Skiles, and it is one of the best of any wartime musical. The songs are catchy and memorable, and they help to create a sense of hope and optimism in the face of adversity

Mel Ulm