My Gal Sal

Irving Cummings (Director)

A musical film inspired by the life of musicians Paul Dresser and Sally Elliot. Theodore Dreiser wrote a biographical sketch about his brother called “My Brother Paul” that was included in his 1930 book, Twelve Men. Dreiser’s essay credits his brother for several notable literary achievements (in addition to songwriting), including as a humor columnist for a small-town newspaper and a scriptwriter for A Green Goods Man. That essay provided the basis for a 1942 biopic musical film, My Gal Sal, about Dresser and singer Sally Elliot. Dresser wrote the song, “My Gal Sal” in 1905, a song that gained popularity even before Al Jolson recorded it in 1947. In the film, which stars Victor Mature and Rita Hayworth, Dresser flees his small Indiana hometown to pursue a career as a musician, in defiance of his father’s wishes for him to become a minister. He ends up falling in love with singer Sally, for whom he’s been writing songs.

Published: 1942