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On Moonlight Bay

Play trailer Poster for On Moonlight Bay 1951 1h 35m Romance Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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87% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
A teenage tomboy (Doris Day) with a fun family makes music with a college man (Gordon MacRae) in circa-World War I Indiana.

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On Moonlight Bay

On Moonlight Bay

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Critics Consensus

Doris Day and Gordon MacRae reunite in this droll, nostalgic musical that takes out many song pages from the tunes of yore with pleasant results.

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Critics Reviews

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Marjorie McCabe San Francisco Chronicle Apr 7
It may not hang together very well, but many of its sequences are little short of captivating. Go to Full Review
Marion Kelley Philadelphia Inquirer Apr 7
It is Gray's antics, however... that are highlights. Go to Full Review
Orlando Sentinel Staff Orlando Sentinel Apr 7
A good family film, old and young alike enjoy the bright Technicolor scenes and the familiar songs of mom and pop's day. Go to Full Review
Jay Carmody Washington Star Apr 7
As they are played under the direction of Roy Del Ruth, however, that are all a little too nice. Go to Full Review
Citizen Staff Ottawa Citizen Apr 7
It does have lots of bright tunes and an assortment of laughs. Go to Full Review
Phyllis Lauritz Oregonian Apr 7
Penrod, as dreamy and demonic as ever, is with us again. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Blake- N @PBSAniDom 4d On Moonlight Bay is a breathtaking classic that perfectly captures the essence of 1950s cinema. It is a pure, sweeping masterpiece that transports you to a more romantic and innocent era, making it a must-watch for any fan of the golden age of Hollywood. The film’s strength lies in its incredible charm and seamless integration of music and storytelling. The melodies are timeless, and the way the songs elevate the emotional beats of the plot is nothing short of magical, creating a truly immersive experience. The performances are heartfelt and sincere, grounding the whimsical elements of the story in genuine human connection. The chemistry between the leads and the beautifully crafted period setting work in perfect harmony to create a sense of pure nostalgia. Ultimately, this is a flawless piece of filmmaking that radiates warmth and joy. It is a rare gem that feels both grand and intimate at the same time. For its sheer beauty and perfection, I give it a 10/10. See more Jose G @RT90009580 12/24/2023 This Technicolor Doris Day musical/comedy is a sweet nostalgic trip to the early 20th century that charms with its period songs and amusing look at the customs, fashions, home furnishings, transportation, etc. of a bygone era. The comparisons to 1944's classic "Meet Me in St. Louis" are inevitable, but this film holds it's own as a diverting hour and a half visit to a simpler time. See more Paula O @pollyolga 12/04/2020 This movie is the worst kind of cliche storytelling and preventable hijinks. The kid brother is unbearable and never learns any lessons. Although Doris Day and Gordon MacRae have great singing voices, the plot is awful and the kid brother makes things even worse than they already are. See more 07/17/2019 Not my favorite musical film, but Doris Day is a pleasure to watch on-screen. (First and only viewing - 7/15/2019) See more Thomas M @TMProofreader 02/02/2019 The best musical movie ever made! See more 12/22/2017 (No spoilers) I hate musicals. Despise them. Would consider banning them and forcing them underground if I ever came in to power. With the exception of Pink Floyd The Wall and The Who's Tommy. That being said, I was basically forced to watch On Moonlight Bay by a good friend of mine who promised I would enjoy it. He was right. It's a great movie. Give it a chance, even if you despise musicals as much as I do. There is a small part where the main character played by Doris Day is alone in her room and does a song. We fast forwarded through that part because it's pretty bad, even though it's only like 3 minutes. Feel free to give it a chance though. Solid 4 stars. Would be 5, but I docked it a star simply because it is a musical after all. Great story, great cast, fantastic acting. A true classic. See more Read all reviews
On Moonlight Bay

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Movie Info

Synopsis A teenage tomboy (Doris Day) with a fun family makes music with a college man (Gordon MacRae) in circa-World War I Indiana.
Director
Roy Del Ruth
Producer
William Jacobs
Screenwriter
Jack Rose, Melville Shavelson
Production Co
Warner Bros.
Genre
Romance, Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 26, 1951, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 1, 2009
Runtime
1h 35m