Ann and Barry Fitzgerald between takes

Ann Blyth and co-star Barry Fitzgerald enjoy each other's company off-set in this candid photo during the filming of Top O' the Morning (1949).  The movie is a fun choice for St. Patrick's Day.  From my book on Ann's career, Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star.:

"Barry Fitzgerald plays the village constable.  His re-match with Bing Crosby, a partnership that first brought success to both of them in Going My Way (1945), is the focus of the film.  Mr. Fitzgerald is a crusty, pompous codger, has no idea how truly innocent he is, and holds the reins of authority in this village only in his own mind.  The villagers, even his own daughter, acknowledge that he is not taken seriously and that solving the crime of the stolen Blarney Stone might finally get him the respect he craves... 

"Ann plays the daughter of Barry Fitzgerald.  She keeps house, feeds Da porridge for breakfast, and keeps track of how many times she has been kissed in her life.  She longs for her true romance, and falls for Bing Crosby...she gives us the perfect dream-image of a lovely and spirited Irish lass."

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

For more on Top O' The Morning and background on the production, have a look at my book, Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star.

eBook edition (Amazon)

print edition available at Amazon and also my Etsy shop.

audiobook edition

Also available in eBook at:

Kobo

Barnes & Noble

Apple iBooks

For more on my other books and plays, please see my website: JacquelineTLynch.com  

Also, have a look at this post on my Another Old Movie Blog.

Ann Blyth with Barry Fitzgerald and Bing Crosby in TOP O' THE MORNING

Ann Blyth behind bars...or are they merely balusters?...with Barry Fitzgerald and Bing Crosby in Top O' the Morning (1949).  With the fast-approaching St. Patrick's Day, and it's showing on Turner Classic Movies Sunday the 10th at 8 p.m., we bring our attention to this pleasant mystery-comedy...or is it comedy-mystery?

From my book on Ann's career:  Ann Blyth: Actress. Singer. Star.:

 The famed Blarney Stone in Blarney Castle has been stolen, and Bing Crosby, an American insurance investigator—nothing like the hard-edged Edward G. Robinson in Double Indemnity (1944)—is on the case.  However, like, Fred MacMurray in that same movie, Bing does take to relating his impressions into a Dictaphone.  

Barry Fitzgerald plays the village constable.  His re-match with Bing Crosby, a partnership that first brought success to both of them in Going My Way (1945), is the focus of the film.  Mr. Fitzgerald is a crusty, pompous codger, has no idea how truly innocent he is, and holds the reins of authority in this village only in his own mind.  The villagers, even his own daughter, acknowledge that he is not taken seriously and that solving the crime of the stolen Blarney Stone might finally get him the respect he craves. 

Hume Cronyn, in a 180-degree turn from his sinister role in Brute Force, is his assistant, delightfully played with excitable hero-worship of his superior, but as the plot progresses, we see that Mr. Cronyn has more going on under the surface.  “All the excitement!  It’s a pity Ireland doesn’t have more to steal.”

Or have a look here at my post at Another Old Movie Blog.

eBook edition (Amazon)

print edition

audiobook edition

Also available in eBook at:

Kobo

Barnes & Noble

Apple iBooks

Top o' the Morning - St. Patrick's Day

This poster is, of course, from Top O' The Morning (1949), which we covered here on my Another Old Movie Blog.

Set in Ireland, Ann plays the daughter of Barry Fitzgerald, and Bing Crosby is an American insurance investigator looking into the theft of the famous Blarney Stone.

Wishing you a Happy St. Patrick's Day!