The Mating of Millie
Encyclopedia
The Mating of Millie is a 1948
romantic comedy film
starring Glenn Ford
and Evelyn Keyes
. A single woman is willing to go to great lengths to adopt an orphan boy.
The next day, Millie learns that Tommy Bassett (Jimmy Hunt
), a young boy she knows and likes very much, has lost his mother in a traffic accident. With his father already killed in World War II
, Tommy is sent to a foundling home. An orphan herself, Millie quickly decides to adopt him, but learns from Ralph Galloway (Ron Randell
), the head of the place, that she has to be married to have a chance. Desperate, she invents a fiancé on the spot (conveniently away in Alaska), but Ralph insists on interviewing her phantom boyfriend within 60 days.
When Doug shows up looking for a job, Millie considers him very suitable husband material (as does the rest of her all-female staff) and accepts an invitation to a date. However, as an unpublished author, Doug senses that there is something odd going on. He finally gets her to confess what she is trying to do. Doug quickly lets her know that he is a confirmed bachelor; however, he is willing to help the no-nonsense businesswoman land a spouse. They decide to target an unsuspecting Ralph.
Doug's lessons prove highly effective. Both the staid, respectable Ralph and the much more dashing Phil Gowan (Willard Parker
), Millie's neighbor, fall in love with her. By this time though, Millie has lost her heart to Doug.
After Doug learns that his book is going to be published, he quits his job at the department store and prepares to go to New York to work with the publisher. Then a couple takes an interest in adopting Tommy. Ralph informs a distraught Millie that her 60 days are up, gets her to admit there is no fiancé, and asks her to marry him. Instead, she accepts Phil's proposal. When she informs Doug, he advises her to never tell her future husband why she is marrying him, because "A man likes to think he's loved for himself alone."
Millie finds she cannot go through with the marriage. She makes an agonizing choice; she decides to chase after Doug rather than keep on fighting for Tommy. When she goes to see Tommy for the last time, Ralph informs her that the boy had been taken an hour before. Heartbroken, she returns to her lonely apartment, only to find Doug there. She kisses him repeatedly, confessing that she loves him even more than Tommy. He is unmoved, brusquely ordering her to go wipe the smudged lipstick from her face. When the bewildered woman goes to comply, she finds Tommy sleeping on her bed.
1948 in film
The year 1948 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Laurence Olivier's Hamlet becomes the first British film to win the American Academy Award for Best Picture.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :...
romantic comedy film
Romantic comedy film
Romantic comedy films are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles. One dictionary definition is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily"...
starring Glenn Ford
Glenn Ford
Glenn Ford was a Canadian-born American actor from Hollywood's Golden Era with a career that spanned seven decades...
and Evelyn Keyes
Evelyn Keyes
Evelyn Louise Keyes was an American film actress. She is best-known for her role as Suellen O'Hara in the 1939 film Gone with the Wind.-Early life:...
. A single woman is willing to go to great lengths to adopt an orphan boy.
Plot
Millie McGonigle (Evelyn Keyes), is riding a bus to work when the frustrated driver, Doug Andrews (Glenn Ford), stops the vehicle and quits. As the assistant personnel director of a large department store, Millie is impressed by his independence and hands him her card.The next day, Millie learns that Tommy Bassett (Jimmy Hunt
Jimmy Hunt
Jimmy Hunt is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his role as David in Invaders from Mars . In the 1986 remake of the same film he plays the police chief.-Filmography:*The Mating of Millie...
), a young boy she knows and likes very much, has lost his mother in a traffic accident. With his father already killed in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Tommy is sent to a foundling home. An orphan herself, Millie quickly decides to adopt him, but learns from Ralph Galloway (Ron Randell
Ron Randell
Ronald Egan "Ron" Randell was an Australian-born American film and stage actor.-Biography:Randell was born in Sydney. He started his career as a stage and radio performer in his teens. He soon established himself as a leading male juvenile for radio, acting for 2KY Players, George Edwards, BAP...
), the head of the place, that she has to be married to have a chance. Desperate, she invents a fiancé on the spot (conveniently away in Alaska), but Ralph insists on interviewing her phantom boyfriend within 60 days.
When Doug shows up looking for a job, Millie considers him very suitable husband material (as does the rest of her all-female staff) and accepts an invitation to a date. However, as an unpublished author, Doug senses that there is something odd going on. He finally gets her to confess what she is trying to do. Doug quickly lets her know that he is a confirmed bachelor; however, he is willing to help the no-nonsense businesswoman land a spouse. They decide to target an unsuspecting Ralph.
Doug's lessons prove highly effective. Both the staid, respectable Ralph and the much more dashing Phil Gowan (Willard Parker
Willard Parker
Willard Parker was an American film actor.He was born in New York City on 5 February 1912. He was earlier a tennis pro. Although he had some stage experience, he mainly appeared as a second lead in films from 1938. He was tall and had wavy hair...
), Millie's neighbor, fall in love with her. By this time though, Millie has lost her heart to Doug.
After Doug learns that his book is going to be published, he quits his job at the department store and prepares to go to New York to work with the publisher. Then a couple takes an interest in adopting Tommy. Ralph informs a distraught Millie that her 60 days are up, gets her to admit there is no fiancé, and asks her to marry him. Instead, she accepts Phil's proposal. When she informs Doug, he advises her to never tell her future husband why she is marrying him, because "A man likes to think he's loved for himself alone."
Millie finds she cannot go through with the marriage. She makes an agonizing choice; she decides to chase after Doug rather than keep on fighting for Tommy. When she goes to see Tommy for the last time, Ralph informs her that the boy had been taken an hour before. Heartbroken, she returns to her lonely apartment, only to find Doug there. She kisses him repeatedly, confessing that she loves him even more than Tommy. He is unmoved, brusquely ordering her to go wipe the smudged lipstick from her face. When the bewildered woman goes to comply, she finds Tommy sleeping on her bed.
Cast
- Glenn FordGlenn FordGlenn Ford was a Canadian-born American actor from Hollywood's Golden Era with a career that spanned seven decades...
as Doug Andrews - Evelyn KeyesEvelyn KeyesEvelyn Louise Keyes was an American film actress. She is best-known for her role as Suellen O'Hara in the 1939 film Gone with the Wind.-Early life:...
as Millie McGonigle - Ron RandellRon RandellRonald Egan "Ron" Randell was an Australian-born American film and stage actor.-Biography:Randell was born in Sydney. He started his career as a stage and radio performer in his teens. He soon established himself as a leading male juvenile for radio, acting for 2KY Players, George Edwards, BAP...
as Ralph Galloway - Willard ParkerWillard ParkerWillard Parker was an American film actor.He was born in New York City on 5 February 1912. He was earlier a tennis pro. Although he had some stage experience, he mainly appeared as a second lead in films from 1938. He was tall and had wavy hair...
as Phil Gowan - Jimmy HuntJimmy HuntJimmy Hunt is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his role as David in Invaders from Mars . In the 1986 remake of the same film he plays the police chief.-Filmography:*The Mating of Millie...
as Tommy Bassett (as Jimmie Hunt) - Mabel PaigeMabel PaigeMabel Paige was an American film actress. She began acting at age 4 and went on to appear in over 50 films between 1914 and 1953...
as Mrs. Hanson, the manager of Millie's apartment complex - Virginia HunterVirginia HunterVirginia Hunter is a former model and actress of film and television. She appeared in over 20 films during the 1940s.-Career:...
as Madge, Millie's secretary - Virginia BrissacVirginia BrissacVirginia Brissac was an American stage and film actress. With her stern features, she often played schoolteachers and other authority figures....
as Mrs. Thomas, Millie's co-worker