Watch Hit Parade of 1943

Hit Parade of 1943 is a 1943 musical comedy film directed by Albert S. Rogell and produced by Walter Morosco. The film features a star-studded cast, including John Carroll, Susan Hayward, Gail Patrick, and Eddie Cantor, as well as appearances by popular bands and vocalists of the era. The film follows Johnny Webster (John Carroll), a struggling songwriter who dreams of making it big in the music industry. Johnny is in love with Pat Harrington (Gail Patrick), a successful songwriter who has little interest in him. One day, Johnny meets Eileen O'Brien (Susan Hayward), a beautiful nightclub singer who is trying to make a name for herself. Johnny is immediately smitten with Eileen and hires her to sing one of his songs at a local club. The performance is a hit, and Johnny and Eileen begin to work together on a series of successful songs.

Meanwhile, Pat is jealous of Eileen's success and begins to sabotage her career. Eileen's big break comes when she is invited to perform at the hit parade radio program, but Pat manages to trick her into missing the broadcast. However, Johnny and his friends manage to convince the show's producer to give Eileen another chance. She performs one of Johnny's songs, and her career begins to skyrocket.

The film features a series of musical numbers, including performances by popular bands such as the Benny Goodman Orchestra and the Ink Spots, as well as vocal performances by Susan Hayward and John Carroll. The musical numbers are well-staged and showcase the talents of the performers.

One of the standout performances in the film is by Eddie Cantor, who plays himself in a small role. Cantor performs a memorable number with a group of children, and his comedic timing is impeccable. His performance is a delightful addition to the film.

The film also features a number of comedic scenes, many of which are provided by Hit Parade's supporting cast. In particular, George Barbier stands out as Uncle Syd, a comically inept songwriter who provides laughs with his bumbling antics.

Overall, Hit Parade of 1943 is a fun and entertaining musical comedy that showcases some of the most popular performers of its era. The film's catchy musical numbers and comedic scenes make it a delightful watch for fans of classic Hollywood cinema.