Expert: Jim Kason - 9/3/2010

Question
Hi

I am trying to chase down a movie that featured the Donkey Serenade, it is not the Fire Fly with Alan Jones.

Could you give me a list of movies that the Donkey Serenade was performed in thanks regards Robert.

Answer
Hi Robert,

Thanks for your question.  When you mentioned "The Donkey Serenade", right away I thought of the film, for which it was written, ( and as You mentioned), MGMs 1937 operetta, by Rudolf Friml, "The Firefly". (Based on Friml's own eaelier composition, "Chansonette", it was rewritten
and added to the film, to be sung by Allan Jones (as you also mentioned.)

In 1945, MGM used the music again, when pianist  Jose Iturbi played it ( with full orchestra ) in a suopposed "back-stage" MGM studio recording session, in the Gene Kelly/Frank Sinatra musical, "Anchors Aweigh".   And a year later, in 1946, MGM used it yet another time, in a musical short subject entitled "Musical Masterpieces" where it was sung by Carlos Ramirez,  (...which was, in turn, inserted into the little-known film, "The Great Morgan".)

In 1987,  the Allan Jones recording was used as nostalgic sound-track music in Woody Allen's
"Radio Days".

But, I'll bet the film you're looking for is 1994's "Heavenly Creatures" starring Kate Winslet.
In it, the Mario Lanza recording was used in its entirely as background music for a delightful extended sequence showing the two girls frolicking in the woods, etc.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Jim K.