weezeralfalfa Certainly reminds me of MGM.s prior "Meet Me in St. Louis" in general structure, although I like this better, primarily because of the presence of 12y.o. scene stealer Billy Gray, in his first significant Hollywood film. The official leads: Doris Day and Gordon McRae, were 2 of the top film singers of the time. Although a number of songs are rendered, including the title song, music isn't the primary forte of this film. Rather, comedy and nostalgia are. Leon Ames reprises his role of father of the family, established in "Meet Me in St. Louis", while the quintessential small town mother of films: Rosemary Decamp is the mother of the Winfield family. Billy Gray is a treasure as the bratty little brother of (supposedly)18y.o. Doris. Gordon is the new boy next door(the Winfields having recently moved in), who immediately strikes up a troubled romantic relationship with Doris. They are on again , off again, beaus throughout the film, and through the sequel film: "By the Light of the Silvery Moon". Poor Jack Smith, as Hubert Wakely, is Doris's steady wannabe boyfriend, favored by father Ames, but not by Doris. She tries to tolerate him, after all he is a good piano player and decent singer. However, she being a tomboy, he bores her with his nerdy, high class, persona. Nonetheless, he never gives up hope. ......Doris begins the film as a baseball fanatic, wearing pants and a baseball cap around. But, after she meets Gordon, she changes into a gorgeous pink dress for an outing, and dons makeup. We see a similar transformation from an ultratomboy to a dress-wearing belle in the later "Calamity Jane", except that this transformation occurs late in that film vs. early in this film.....Mary Wickes plays her usual role as the family maid and cook. She has the misfortune of having her tray of china, silver pots and goodies knocked out of her hands 4 times by a swinging kitchen door: twice by Gray and twice by Ames. .....Ellen Corby has the misfortune of being Gray's schoolteacher, he being the class dunce and sleeper.......Esther Dale plays the elderly Aunt Martha, who makes the sage observation that "No man believes in marriage until a woman traps him into it.", in defense of Gordon's statement that he doesn't believe in marriage. Rosemary later agrees. She also gives Gray several 12th birthday presents, including a Swiss army knife, and a big sling shot that used to belong to father Winfield. He eventually makes mischief with both, as Aunt Martha expected. I don't want to spoil any more details. Just, see it if you can. Presently, it comes in a DVD packet with it's sequel: "By the Light of the Silvery Moon", which most people think is just as good. All of the principle players are retained in this sequel, except for John Smith, whose character is renamed as Chester, and played by Russell Arms. Doris and Gordon went on to make several other films together, as well, including "Tea for Two".

TheLittleSongbird Whether you love Doris Day or not, I do always have, On Moonlight Bay is a delightful film that perfectly showcases Day's talents. I agree it is rather slight in the story, but the result is such a charming and very watchable film you don't really mind. Visually, On Moonlight Bay is very elegant, with a warm and cosy feeling thanks to the beautiful cinematography, while the music is superb. Right now, I am actually humming Moonlight Bay, if a film makes me do that that to me is a good thing. The script is very nice and the direction is competent, while the film moves along at a good pace. The performances are fine. Doris brings a fresh and endearing approach to her tomboyish heroine, while underrated Gordon McRae is dashing and Mary Wickes and Rosemary DeCamp are also likable. All in all, delightful and charming, a must see if you love musicals or Doris Day, if you love both this is perfect. 9/10 Bethany Cox

Spikeopath On Moonlight Bay is directed by Roy Del Ruth and stars Doris Day & Gordon MacRae. It's based loosely on the Penrod stories written by Booth Tarkington.1917 and Marjorie Winfield (Day) is a tomboy who moves with her family into a new house in small town Indiana. Here she begins a romance with the boy next door, William Sherman (MacRae) and starts to learn there's more to life than merely playing sports. However, with Marjorie's father less than enamoured with William's ideals in life, the course of true love will struggle to run smooth.A pleasing enough period musical propelled by the effervescent Day and some catchy musical tunes. Songs performed include "Till We Meet Again," "Cuddle Up A Little Closer," "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" and the title song. Very much playing up to Day's girl next door persona that would be her career staple, it's the sort of harmless fun that helps to while away the time on a dank afternoon. Tho the ending is never in doubt, it's fun getting there and there's value for money in the acting performances. Yes MacRae is a little too animated at times (isn't he always?) but it fits the material and his play off with Day is an entertaining and winning formula (the principals here would return two years later for a sequel, By the Light of the Silvery Moon). Stand out turn in the support slots comes from Mary Wickes as Stella.It's no Meet Me In St. Louis but it's fun enough if viewed as a second cousin to Garland's movie. 6/10

bkoganbing I've always had a sneaking suspicion that Jack Warner saw how well MGM did with Two Weeks With Love, a nostalgic gaslight era musical that starred Jane Powell. I'm sure Warner then got the idea to do a musical for his reigning musical star of the moment Doris Day from the same era. And save a whole lot of money because nearly all the material is in the public domain.On Moonlight Bay is the title of the film and one of several songs sung by Doris Day, Gordon MacRae, and Gordon's rival for Doris, Jack Smith all from the era before America's entry in World War I. Hollywood has done a lot to glamorize that era of Norman Rockwell and Grant Wood as America likes to see itself. Certainly none of the social problems the USA had in that era seem to intrude on Milbern, Indiana the fictional location Booth Tarkington had for the Winfield and Sherman families whose son and daughter find each other.Of course if you paid a ticket to see social problems in a Doris Day film as that other Warner Brother icon would say, what a maroon. Doris as the tomboy first baseman hasn't quite discovered men yet, that is until she almost shoots Gordon MacRae. After that you know how this film will go.One original song was done for On Moonlight Bay, the Christmas Story which Doris and Gordon sing with accompanying carolers. It blends nicely in with all the nostalgic material.On Moonlight Bay and its sequel film, By The Light Of The Silvery Moon is based on the Booth Tarkington Penrod stories. Billy Gray who later was Bud Anderson in Father Knows Best plays Doris's younger brother Wesley (Penrod). He's one mischievous kid and whatever trouble he doesn't get into here is saved for the next film.Doris, Gordon, and Billy all appear in the next film along with her parents Leon Ames and Rosemary DeCamp and maid Mary Wickes who always has a sharp word for the goings on.I confess I have a fondness for the songs of this romantic era myself, so I'm prejudiced about On Moonlight Bay. But try it you young folk, you might like it.