MacRae's first on-screen musical was "Look for the Silver Lining" (1949), a biopic of Marilyn Miller (June Haver), where MacRae played Frank Carter. David Butler directed. MacRae was reunited with Haver and Butler in "The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady" (1950). Warners put him in a Western, "Return of the Frontiersman" (1950). Then he starred with Doris Day in "Tea for Two" (1950), a reworking of "No, No, Nanette", also for Butler. Public response was enthusiastic. MacRae and Day were teamed again in "The West Point Story" (1951) starring James Cagney and Mayo, "On Moonlight Bay" (1951), and the all-star Korean War tribute, "Starlift" (1951).