Follies Girl (1943) / Career Girl (1944)

Follies Girl (1943, B&W): A serviceman on leave pursues a gorgeous show girl in this lavish production heavily laden with song, dance and beautiful women. British actress Wendy Barrie got her start in films working for the famed Korda brothers in productions such as The Private Life Of Henry VIII (1933). Moving to the states in 1935, she began appearing opposite top Hollywood stars including Spencer Tracy in It's A Small World (1935), James Stewart in Speed (1936), Basil Rathbone in The Hound Of The Baskervilles (1939), and Lucille Ball in Five Came Back (1939). Her fame increased in 1948 when ABC launched "The Wendy Barrie Show," one of television's pioneer talk shows. She is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. Stars Wendy Barrie, Gordon Oliver, Doris Nolan, Arthur Pierson, Cora Witherspoon; Directed by William Rowland.

Career Girl (1944, B&W): Down-and-out would-be actors in a cheap hotel decide that golden-voiced country girl Joan Terry, possesses the best chances for Broadway success. They pool their money and form a corporation, determined to make Joan a star. Singer Frances Langford rose to stardom on the radio, first with Bob Hope, and later co-starring with Don Ameche on "The Bickersons." She started making films in the mid-1930s and continued for 20 years with some of her most notable roles in Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) and The Bamboo Blonde (1945). Very active with the USO, she entertained American troops in WWII and Korea, delighting them with her signature song, "I'm In The Mood For Love." Stars Frances Langford, Edward Norris, Iris Adrian, Craig Woods, Linda Brent; Directed by Wallace W. Fox.

• musical