In addition to her films and live nightclub performances, Hutton also had a half-hour sitcom for one season (1959-60), the 1954 TV special "Satins & Spurs" (which bears a strong resemblance to "Annie Get Your Gun," though not nearly as good), and guested on a number of musical-variety shows and a handful of dramatic shows, including "Gunsmoke" (1965).

Most critics feel "The Miracle of Morgan's Creek" is her best film, and it may be. But she is a lot of fun in a lot of other movies. And nowhere does she come across better than in her first picture.

Looking at "The Fleet's In" (1942) — a light comedy in which she plays fourth-fiddle to William Holden, Dorothy Lamour and Eddie Bracken — it's easy to see why Hutton became an overnight sensation.

Holden plays a shy sailor trying to woo patrician Lamour, and Bracken is his comical buddy. But Hutton, as Lamour's roommate, is a riot, and she handily runs away with the picture. She also gets to sing one of her biggest hits, the hilarious "Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing in a Hurry." And her great comic chemistry with Eddie Bracken lead to their being teamed in several more films.

Alas, "The Fleet's In" has never been released on home video. Nor have most of Hutton's movies.

She's way overdue for a box set.

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E-mail: hicks@desnews.com