Watch The Shocking Miss Pilgrim

The Shocking Miss Pilgrim is a musical romantic-comedy movie from 1947 starring Betty Grable, Dick Haymes, and Anne Revere. It tells the story of Cynthia Pilgrim, a young woman from Massachusetts who moves to New York City to start a new job as a typist in a music publishing company. The year is 1874, and women are still struggling to find their place in the workforce. Miss Pilgrim is smart, talented, and ambitious, but she soon discovers that her new boss, Mr. Pritchard, expects her to do much more than just typing. He wants her to sing, dance, and entertain his clients, which is something she has never done before.

Despite her initial resistance, Miss Pilgrim gives in to Mr. Pritchard's demands and starts taking dancing lessons from the handsome and charming John Thornway. Thornway is a songwriter who is also working for Pritchard's company, and he is immediately drawn to Miss Pilgrim's beauty and talent. They start to fall in love, but Thornway's ex-girlfriend, the jealous and conniving Annabelle Rice, tries to sabotage their relationship. She spreads rumors about Miss Pilgrim and tries to undermine her confidence, but Miss Pilgrim is determined to prove her worth and win Thornway's heart.

As Miss Pilgrim becomes more successful at her job and in her relationship with Thornway, she also becomes more involved in the women's rights movement. She joins a group of suffragettes who are fighting for women's right to vote, and she starts to realize how much systemic discrimination and inequality are holding women back in every aspect of their lives. The movie touches on important social and political issues of the time, such as gender roles, class differences, and the struggles of immigrants in America.

The Shocking Miss Pilgrim is a delightful movie that showcases the talents of its cast and the charm of the era it portrays. Betty Grable shines in the role of Miss Pilgrim, bringing a mix of innocence, intelligence, and charm to the character. She delivers several catchy musical numbers, such as the upbeat "Oceans Apart" and the romantic "Love Is Here to Stay," which showcase her lovely voice and her effervescent personality. Dick Haymes is also great in his role as John Thornway, providing a perfect foil to Grable's character with his smooth singing voice and boyish charm. Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, and they make a lovely couple.

Anne Revere delivers a solid performance as Mrs. Pilgrim, Miss Pilgrim's mother, who comes to visit her daughter in New York and provides a source of comic relief as she tries to fit in with the city's high society. Other notable cast members include Elizabeth Patterson as Miss Pilgrim's quirky landlady, Allyn Joslyn as Mr. Pritchard, and Gene Lockhart as a pompous music critic who serves as a foil to Miss Pilgrim's ambition.

The movie's production values are top-notch, with colorful sets, beautiful costumes, and lively dance routines that capture the spirit of the era. The movie was directed by George Seaton, who also wrote the screenplay, and he brings a sense of energy and fun to the movie that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish.

Overall, The Shocking Miss Pilgrim is a charming and entertaining movie that showcases the talents of its cast and celebrates the spirit of the era it portrays. It is a must-see for fans of classic Hollywood musicals and romantic comedies, and it provides an interesting glimpse into the social and political issues of the time.

The Shocking Miss Pilgrim is a 1947 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.