On the Town (film)

Plot

Three sailors – Gabey, Chip, and Ozzie – begin their shore leave, excited for their 24 hours in New York ("New York, New York"). Riding the subway, Gabey falls in love with the picture of "Miss Turnstiles", who is actually called Ivy Smith, and fantasizes about what she's like in real life ("Miss Turnstiles"). The sailors race around New York attempting to find her in the brief period they have.

They are assisted by, and become romantically involved with, two women, and pair up: Ozzie with Claire, an anthropologist; and Chip with Hildy Esterhazy, an aggressively amorous taxi driver. Claire claims that she's found her passionate "Prehistoric Man" in Ozzie at the Museum of Anthropological History. Hildy invites Chip to "Come Up to My Place". Finally finding Ivy, Gabey takes her on an imaginary date down his home town "Main Street" in a studio in Symphonic Hall - not realising that she is also from the same town. Later, Chip sincerely falls for Hildy telling her "You're Awful" – that is, awful nice to be with. That evening, all the couples meet at the top of the Empire State Building to celebrate a night "On the Town".

But when an ashamed Ivy walks out on Gabey to get to her late night work as a cooch dancer, the friends tell a despondent Gabey, "You Can Count on Me", joined by Hildy's annoying, but well-meaning roommate, Lucy Schmeeler. They have a number of adventures before reuniting with Ivy at Coney Island just as their 24-hour leave ends and they must return to their ship to head off to sea. Although their future is uncertain, the boys and girls share one last kiss on the pier as a new crew of sailors heads out into the city for their leave ("New York, New York" reprise).

Cast

Cast notes

Musical numbers

1. "I Feel Like I'm Not Out of Bed Yet" – Shipyard worker
2. "New York, New York" – Gabey, Chip, and Ozzie (from Leonard Bernstein's score)
3. "Miss Turnstiles Ballet" (instrumental) – Ivy and ensemble (from Bernstein's score)
4. "Prehistoric Man" – Claire, Ozzie, Gabey, Chip, and Hildy
5. "Come Up to My Place" – Hildy and Chip (from Bernstein's score)
6. "Main Street" – Gabey and Ivy
7. "You're Awful" – Chip and Hildy
8. "On the Town" – Gabey, Ivy, Chip, Hildy, Ozzie, and Claire
9. "Count on Me" – Gabey, Chip, Ozzie, Hildy, Claire, and Lucy
10. "A Day in New York" (instrumental) – Gabey, Ivy, and dream cast (from Bernstein's score)
11. "New York, New York" (reprise) – Shipyard workers, three sailors, and chorus

Box office

According to MGM records the film earned $2,934,000 in the US and Canada and $1,494,000 overseas, resulting in a profit to the studio of $474,000.

The film was also a critical success, receiving good reviews in various publications, including Variety and The New York Times.

Awards and honors

American Film Institute
The film is recognized by American Film Institute in these lists:

Production

The musical numbers staged on location in New York were the first time a major studio had accomplished this. The location shots in New York took nine days. Shooting in New York City was Kelly and Donen's idea, which studio head Louis B. Mayer refused to allow, pointing out the studio's excellent New York sets in its backlot. Kelly and Donen held their ground, and finally Mayer relented and allowed a limited number of days shooting in New York. The primary problem experienced by the production was dealing with crowds of Frank Sinatra's fans, so some shots were made with the camera located in a station wagon to reduce the public visibility of the shooting.

The Breen Office of the MPAA refused to allow the use of the word "helluva" in the song "New York, New York", and so it was changed to "wonderful".