Betty Hutton was born in Battle Creek, Michigan in 1919. Twenty years later she made her film debut and was one of Paramount’s most popular stars during the war years. Many of her films were related to the war, with titles like; The Fleets In and Here Come the Waves. Following World War II her career died. She was reportedly not always easy to work with. Her last notable starring role was the lead in Annie Get Your Gun in 1950. One of her favorite roles was that of Trudy in The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek.

Written and Directed by Preston Sturges, it tells the story of a girl who goes on a night of partying with with some soldiers, who are leaving for duty the next day, and finds herself, the next morning, married but without any memory of who she got married to. Things get even more complicated when she also discovers that she is pregnant.

Made in 1944, this movie could be considered controversial as it’s lead character has anonymous sex. I must also mention one thing. In the film, Trudy’s dad refers to her as a minor. They never establish Trudy’s age but in 1944 being a minor meant under 21 and not under 18. In one scene she has a conversation with the lovelorn Norville and they talk about when they were in highschool.

Miracle Of Morgan’s Creek is a fast paced comedy with plenty of quick dialogue. When Trudy and her sister consult with a lawyer about her situation, he responds with this sexist line, “The responsibility for recording a marriage has always been up to woman. If it wasn't for her, marriage would have disappeared long since. No man is going to jeopardize his present or poison his future with a lot of little brats hollering around the house unless he's forced to. It's up to the woman to knock him down, hogtie him, and drag him in front of two witnesses immediately if not sooner. Anytime after that is too late.”

My favorite scene comes near the end when the Governor and another man are barking orders over the phone at the same time. It’s too much dialogue to copy here but it a frantic conversation with commentary.

I will leave the miracle, the title of the movie refers to, for you to discover on your own. It will help to know some history of the time as headlines pop up on the screen that will only make sense if you do. Even Benito Mussolini and Adolph Hitler appear in the movie and comment on it.

In the scheme of movie history, Betty Hutton’s fame was short lived and has no doubt been mistaken for Betty Grable more than once. They were famous at the same time. They were both blondes. They both did musicals and comedies and their names make it even more confusing. However, in Miracle Of Morgan’s Creek she is a great comedian in the mold of Carole Lombard. Her scheming to get Norville to do whatever she wants proves her talent. In these scenes she is being self centered and manipulative, but Hutton was so charming you never hold it against her.

Did you enjoy Eric's review? +1 -0