The Shocking Miss Pilgrim

The Shocking Miss Pilgrim is a remarkable musical comedy film, first screened in 1947, directed by George Seaton. It features legendary Hollywood icons, such as Betty Grable, Dick Haymes, and Anne Revere, to weave together a storyline that seamlessly merges humor, romance, and a touch of accidental historical relevancy.

Actress Betty Grable stars as the radiant and spunky Cynthia Pilgrim, a 19th-century woman who is full of brilliance and fervor. Cynthia, a recent graduate of the Oberlin College, decides to use the secretarial skills she learned to establish herself in the male-dominated world of New York. Ascending from her restricting societal strata, she aims high, endeavoring to achieve her career-focused dreams. Grable delivers a captivating performance of a headstrong woman who shoulders the deed of challenging and changing the perception of gender roles in a society that was not ready to abandon traditional norms.

Cynthia applies for a job at John Pritchard’s (Dick Haymes) company, an upper crust-type firm selling “electricity machines” as typewriters. Despite being a smitten victim of a little white lie from the delightful Cynthia, the old-fashioned, somewhat chauvinistic John Pritchard hires Cynthia. Haymes portrays the Boston businessman with a mix of charm and arrogant obliviousness that makes his character ebullient and engaging.

Anne Revere seizes attention as Alice Pritchard, John’s intellectual and progressive aunt. Cleverly rooting for Cynthia’s independent endeavors, her character is the phi beta kappa conscious operating subtly in the background. Alice acts as a character with a progressive mind, fostering a contrasting, often critical viewpoint about women's societal roles.

The Shocking Miss Pilgrim smartly uses musical sequences to emphasize moods and progress the storyline, featuring captivating numbers like “Aren’t You Kind of Glad We Did” and “Sweet Packard”. The movie is an unexpected merging of George and Ira Gershwin music, presented with flair and charm by Grable, Haymes, and the supporting cast. The melodic narrative infused with comedy is a delight, with each number delivered with vivacity and emotion.

As the movie unravels, Cynthia's arrival stirs up a whirlwind of social and professional uproar, with both comedic and serious undertones. The female shorthand typists’ push for their rights to work in an all-male office spins comedy, conflict, and at the same time a burgeoning romance subplot between Cynthia and John.

What makes The Shocking Miss Pilgrim so appealing is the confluence of powerful performances by the actors in a storyline that is a delightful blend of comedy and romance. Yet, the narrative dips its toe into the pool of societal issues, such as women's rights and equality, albeit in an accidental, indirect bread-crumbing kind of way. The film doesn't explicitly hammer in these themes, but the presence is felt subtly, often lurking behind the scenes, providing a surprising depth to the otherwise light-hearted narrative.

Even if The Shocking Miss Pilgrim does not fully utilize the feminist themes, it stands as an enjoyable and entertaining movie with stellar performances and engaging, jazzy musical sequences. The film displays arresting period décor detailing a visual delight of the 19th-century backdrop. The costuming adds elegance to the era, graced by Grable's and Haymes' charming looks.

In conclusion, The Shocking Miss Pilgrim is an immersive journey into a slice of musical comedy with a dash of historical context. The film captures the era with flair, combining a detailed portrayal of the period with powerful performances from the cast. The film remains a testament to the quality of classic Hollywood musicals. It is a beautiful blend of comedy, romance and high spirits, and the performances of Grable, Haymes and Revere are the cherries on top of this delightful period cinema.