Singin' and Dancing Back in Time.: Happy!! Easter Parade(1948).

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Happy!! Easter Parade(1948).

Easter Parade(1948). Musical. Cast: Judy Garland, Fred Astaire and Ann Miller. featuring music by Irving Berlin, including some of Astaire and Garland's best-known songs, such as "Steppin' Out With My Baby" and "We're a Couple of Swells."

Loved the three musical scenes: first, Ann Miller's tap dance 'Shakin' the Blues Away'. Not only a great song, but a wonderful dance number. Then there is Fred in the toy shop ( blog video). The timing of the dance is fun to watch. Lastly, 'Down the Avenue' is a very cute song. I laugh every time I see Judy Garland and Fred Astaire dressed up as bums!! There are a few laughs, but I mainly watch this movie for the dance numbers. It is a perfect way to celebrate Easter.

The film won the 1948 Academy Award for Best Scoring of a Musical Picture. It also received the Writers Guild of America Award for Best Written American Musical. It was the most successful picture for both Garland and Astaire.

Gene Kelly was originally cast to play Don, but he broke his ankle in a volleyball game. It was his suggestion that he be replaced by Fred Astaire. Cyd Charisse was to play Nadine, but a torn ligament in her knees forced her to drop out. She was replaced by Ann Miller.

Soundtracks:

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"Happy Easter"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Performed by Fred Astaire
Performed also by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland

"Drum Crazy"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung and Danced by Fred Astaire

"It Only Happens When I Dance With You"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Fred Astaire
Danced by Fred Astaire and Ann Miller
Performed also by Judy Garland

"Everybody's Doin' It"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Performed by chorus

"I Want to Go Back to Michigan"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Judy Garland

"Beautiful Faces Need Beautiful Clothes"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Danced by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland

"A Fella with an Umbrella"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Peter Lawford and Judy Garland

"I Love a Piano"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Judy Garland
Danced by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland

"Snooky Ookums"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung and Danced by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland

"Ragtime Violin"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Fred Astaire
Danced by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland

"When the Midnight Choo Choo Leaves for Alabam'"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung and Danced by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland

"Shakin' the Blues Away"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung and Danced by Ann Miller

"Steppin' Out with My Baby"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Fred Astaire
Danced by Fred Astaire and Chorus

"A Couple of Swells"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung and Danced by Fred Astaire and Judy Garland

"The Girl on the Magazine Cover"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Richard Beavers
Danced by Ann Miller

"Better Luck Next Time"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Judy Garland

"Easter Parade"
(uncredited)
by Irving Berlin
Sung by Judy Garland, Fred Astaire

"Call Me Up Some Rainy Afternoon"
(uncredited)
Written by Irving Berlin
Played as second number by orchestra in restaurant as Nadine and Don reminisce

1 comment:

montyApril 5, 2010 at 2:48 AM
Easter Parade is one of my favorite musicals of all time. Thanks for posting about it.
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