When I was a kid in the 50's, a Chicago station (possibly ABC) regularly broadcast many of Hutton's films at 10:00 or 10:30 PM. They were usually introduced by Jim Moran, the Courtesy Man. I could only watch them during the summer months, but I loved every one they showed because she had so much energy and she always made me laugh. I'm pretty sure they weren't even her better films. Certainly not Miracle of Morgan's Creek, which I believe was condemned by the Catholic Church's Legion of Decency. I think I saw it for the first time when it was released on VHS, maybe around 1978. I didn't buy it, but was probably able to rent it somewhere. I was probably around 30 years of age. I agree that it's hilariously funny but also (especially in the 70's) pretty shocking. Today, of course, I own it on DVD.
I didn't see Annie Get Your Gun and The Greatest Show on Earth until they debuted on either Saturday Night at the Movies (or one of the other 6 nights -- eventually there was one on all 7 nights). So probably in the 60's.
I remember seeing films like Happy Go Lucky, Incendiary Blonde, The Perils of Pauline, Dream Girl, probably others. I definitely enjoyed them as a pre-teen in the 50's. Maltin's Guide still gives Incendiary and Perils 3 stars out of a possible 4. The other two do not fare as well.
For me, her films that hold up the best and which I still love watching over and over again are Miracle, Annie, Greatest Show. |
