'' is a
20th Century Fox film that was released on
December 16 ,
1954 . It stars
Ethel Merman ,
Donald O'Connor ,
Marilyn Monroe ,
Dan Dailey ,
Mitzi Gaynor , and
Johnnie Ray . It was directed by
Walter Lang and written by
Lamar Trotti (story) and
Phoebe Ephron and
Henry Ephron .
The film depicts the traveling, singing and dancing Donahue Family, with Merman and Dailey as the parents, and O'Connor, Ray, and Gaynor as their adult children. It proved to be a disappointment both commercially and critically.
Monroe did not want to make this film but after she was promised the leading role in the film production of the
Broadway smash ''
The Seven Year Itch '', she conceded.
