You Were Meant for Me (1948)

One of the best films i have seen

Am I Missing Something?

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

This 1948 film starts its action 20 years earlier in 1928 when the country was in the throes of the Roaring Twenties, the Jazz Age when it seemed like the national party would never end. You Were Meant For Me stars Dan Dailey as a Rudy Vallee like band-leader with Jeanne Crain as the small town girl whom he falls for and marries while on tour. One thing though, Vallee never had the dance moves that Dan Dailey had. I always marveled at how gracefully that big man moved.If this had been done over at Warner Brothers Jack Carson would have been cast in the lead. Dailey is quite the party animal when good times are plentiful. But the stock market crash comes even with bookings canceling all around him, Dailey feels the need to put up a big front. The man needs a reality trip and Crain is ready to give it to him.The score is taken from various standards of the Roaring Twenties and that's the best part of the film. Oscar Levant is in the cast as his usual witty and cynical self and we hear him do Gershwin's Concerto in F. Percy Kilbride and Selena Royle are Crain's small town, home town parents who give out some practical advice.If you like the music of the Twenties than You Were Meant For Me is meant for you.

It certainly wasn't my impression that this way a big budget picture, but even so, it took me a while to warm up to this film.First of all, there's not much of a compelling story here. Girl meets dance band leader, they fall in love and elope, the Depression comes along and the band disbands, Not the most dramatic story, but pleasing.I always loved Jeanne Crain, but although she's very pleasant here, this isn't her best role. And, I always liked Dan Dailey, but let's face it, his is not the greatest singing voice, and he sings a lot here. He does have a few nice dance numbers; he really was a nice dancer. Yes, he's pleasant enough, also.The most interesting casting here was of Percy Kilbride -- Pa Kettle -- in probably the most different role of his career -- nothing very comical about his role...pretty much a straight father role...and interesting because of the contrast to what he normally did. Selena Royle (reportedly once a flame of Spencer Tracy) plays the mother. Oscar Levant, who could be rather witty, is along for the ride...but not demonstrating much wit.The problem I have with the film is...did they suddenly run out of money? The depression is on, Dailey is working in a brick factory, and in the very next scene he is leading the band at the Pennsylvania Hotel in New York City. It's like a whole chapter is just skipped! And whatever happened to the baby? The film was doing okay until the ending.

that really is Levant at piano "You Were Meant For Me" stars two second-tier stars, Jeanne Crain and Dan Daily and it's obvious that it's a lesser Twentieth Century-Fox production. Now this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Provided you like old formulaic films, you'll have a nice time watching it.Dan Daily stars as a big band leader back in the late 1920s. A young fan (Crain) falls in love with him and they are soon married. Life for the couple consists of them begin on the road all the time, but it works since they are so much in love. But, when the stock market crashes in late 1929, bookings are canceled right and left and Daily and his band cannot find work. So, they move back home with her family. The problem is that Daily is used to being a big-shot and after a while this gets in the way of him finding work, as his sights are simply set too high. With his wife about to have a baby, she's simply had too much--too many dreams, too much talk and too much bragging. So, she explodes and he takes a walk. What's next? See the film.I noticed that one reviewer didn't like the ending. Well, perhaps it is a little too perfect, but I liked it. As for the rest of the film, it's pleasant fluff--undemanding but pleasant. Not a film you should rush to see but worth your time if you have nothing else to do.

"You Were Meant for Me" has all the elements of a very nice film. We have a dance band and Jeanne Craine falling for and marrying band leader Dan Dailey over night.All goes well until the stock market crashes in 1929 and the band is forced to disband.Dailey and Jeanne move back with her parents, Percy Kilbride, who, for a change is not funny here and the dependable Selena Royle who really never was known for comedic gifts. Their lack of it is showing here. Kilbride,in particular, wastes chances to enhance his part. Known for deadpan humor, it is missing here.Invariably, when Dailey refuses a job offer that he considers beneath him, the two argue and Dailey runs off to N.Y.It is at this point that the film goes awry. Dailey, at the bus depot, looks out at Bloomington, Indiana. He runs back to Craine where he finds long-time pal Oscar (Oscar Levant) at the house. Kilbride comes home from his job. By the next scene, Dailey is leading a band and Levant is working selling bricks at Kilbride's place.Craine and Dailey dance and the film ends. There was no proper segue leading up to this end.In addition, the few dance numbers are too stilted. Craine, tries but gives little pep to this film. Song and dance man Dailey is wasted here.