Million Dollar Legs (1943 film)

Million Dollar Legs is a 1943 American comedy film starring Betty Grable, directed by Henry King, and released by 20th Century-Fox. This is also the only film in which Grable was given writing credit.
The film has no relation to the 1932 or 1939 films of the same name, both of which were released by Paramount Pictures, although Grable appeared in the latter.
== Plot ==
== Background and production ==
In 1932, Paramount released a movie starring W. C. Fields, titled Million Dollar Legs. This film would have no relation to the later films of the same name; it was inspired by the 1932 Summer Olympics, held in Los Angeles, California.
In 1939, Grable appeared opposite her then-husband Jackie Coogan in a B-movie comedy also titled Million Dollar Legs. Although the film did not become the hit for which Paramount had hoped, it did help Grable get her legs insured for $1 million in 1940 ($22 million in 2024), when she signed with Twentieth Century-Fox. Grable was not satisfied with the 1939 film; she referred to her character in the film as "a minor character with eye candy", and felt that the title barely had anything to do with the film.
During a meeting in 1942, Grable suggested another film titled Million Dollar Legs, one which revolved around her character. The writers were hesitant at first, but director Henry King convinced them to agree to the project; the condition from the writers was that Grable would be given writing credit. While Darryl F. Zanuck approved of the project, he was not there to oversee production, but he was credited as an executive producer.
== Trailer & Intro ==
Before the opening credits and at the beginning of the trailer, we are introduced to a closeup of Betty Grable’s character’s feet. We hear a swing instrumental in the style of Benny Goodman’s version of “Sing! Sing! Sing!”, which she wiggles her toes to. The camera goes up her legs as her calves, knees, and thighs twitch to the rhythm. In the film, the picture blurs out to the credits. In the trailer, the camera goes straight to Grable’s face as she asks the viewers if they enjoyed seeing her legs and that she is to be starring in a film that capitalizes on her legs.
=== Trivia ===
In an interview, when asked if she was comfortable with wiggling her leg muscles in extreme closeup, Grable replied, “Actually, I initially wasn’t when I was told about it, but after I practiced the move alone, I had no problem with it.”
The original print of the film would have obviously had the 1935 20th Century Fox logo that was used at the time, but future prints would have the 1994 logo with the Bruce Broughton fanfare, starting with the 1995 VHS release.
== Release and reception ==
Million Dollar Legs was released in October 1943, three months after Grable’s previous release, Coney Island. Despite mixed reviews from critics, the film was an instant success.
== Home media ==
Despite its success, Million Dollar Legs was not given a VHS release until 1995. When it was released, for some reason, it used the 1994 logo instead of the original 1935 logo; it was later rumored that the print used for the release had cut off the fade in to the logo. The usage of the 1994 logo in place of the original logo is also prevalent on the DVD release (2000) and on streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Some editions with the 1935 logo intact exist, such as on Disney+.
== Cast ==
* Betty Grable as herself
Category:1943 films
Category:Betty Grable
Category:20th Century Fox films
Category:20th Century Fox Films
Category:20th Century Fox
Category:Films
Category:Movies
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