It's a Great Feeling is a 1949 American musical-comedy film directed by David Butler and released by Warner Bros.. Originally announced as Two Guys and a Gal, the picture is a self-aware backstage musical that pokes gentle fun at the studio system while showcasing popular song-and-dance numbers of the era. Its release came at a moment when Hollywood musicals remained a major part of studio output.

Premise and tone

The story follows the ups and downs of a small production unit as it tries to mount a new picture. Combining romance, misunderstandings and show-business one-upmanship, the film foregrounds performance and spectacle over dramatic realism. Its tone is broad and affectionate, leaning into vaudeville-style humor and musical set pieces rather than social critique.

Cast and cameos

The film features early starring work by Doris Day alongside Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson, supported by a cast of familiar Hollywood types. A notable feature is the parade of cameo appearances by studio contract players and personalities, a device studios often used to create a sense of glamour and community around a production.

Production and release

Directed by David Butler, the picture exemplifies the late-1940s studio musical: staged numbers, polished choreography and an emphasis on star presence. It was distributed by Warner Bros. and promoted as a light, crowd-pleasing entry in the studio's slate. Contemporary prints and later home-video releases highlight its musical sequences and the charm of its lead performers.

Legacy and significance

While not generally cited as a landmark film, the picture is remembered for its entertainment value, its assembly of familiar faces, and its role in the career of Doris Day, who would soon become one of Hollywood's biggest box-office draws. Film historians reference it as an example of studio-era self-referential musicals that celebrated and satirized the industrial machinery that created them.

Further reading

  • For basic credits and production details, see the film entry at It's a Great Feeling.
  • For context about Warner Bros. musicals of the 1940s, consult general histories of the studio era and musical cinema.