Monday, June 28, 2010

Lovely to Look At(1952).



Lovely to Look At(1952). Director: Mervyn LeRoy. cast: Kathryn Grayson, Red Skelton, Howard Keel. Marge Champion, Ann Miller and Zsa Zsa Gabor.

A couple of Broadway producers, are looking for backers for their fashion show. Al is one of the heirs of a dress salon in Paris, but it is almost bankrupt. The two other heiresses, Stephanie and Clarisse and the three producers are able to convince the creditors to back a fashion show. Of coarse everything becomes complicated, when Al and Tony fall in love with Stephanie.

I really loved the dance numbers by Ann Miller and The Champions. I also loved the gorgeous fashion show designed by Adrian The designers at the end of the film. Grayson and Keel, seemed a little stiff together. Red Skelton was funny, but.. this was not my favorite skit, that I have seen him perform in. Zsa Zsa her presence added a bit of charm to the movie.



Fun Facts:
During a party scene, Al Marsh (Red Skelton) does an "Irish tenor" skit, intermingling comedy and song. As the audience laughs, he comments "Well, you knew I wasn't Howard Keel when I came out here." Howard Keel, of course, co-starred in the movie as "Tony Naylor."


Howard Keel's character was named "Tony Naylor". During the 1950s and 60s, one of the most popular hang-outs for the stars in to meet after the filming was called "Tiny Naylors". It was located in Hollywood at the corner of Sunset Blvd and Vine Streets. Keel's characters' name was a nod to that famous coffee shop.

The lavish fashion-show sequence, directed by the uncredited Vincente Minnelli, showcased the gowns of Adrian, the influential designer associated with MGM's golden age of Garbo, Shearer, Harlow and Crawford. Adrian's work on the entire feature concluded his 28-year film career.
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Soundtracks:


Smoke Gets in Your Eyes"
(uncredited)
Music by Jerome Kern
Lyrics by Otto A. Harbach and Dorothy Fields
Sung by Kathryn Grayson, and later danced by Gower Champion and Marge Champion

"Lovely To Look At"
(uncredited)
(from the 1935 film version of "Roberta")
Music by Jerome Kern
Original lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Sung by Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel

"The Touch of Your Hand"
(uncredited)
Music by Jerome Kern
Lyrics by Otto A. Harbach
Sung by Kathryn Grayson

"I Won't Dance"
(uncredited)
Music by Jerome Kern
Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II and Dorothy Fields
Sung and Danced by Marge Champion and Gower Champion

"Yesterdays"
(uncredited)
Music by Jerome Kern
Lyrics by Otto A. Harbach
Sung by Kathryn Grayson

"You're Devastating"
(uncredited)
Music by Jerome Kern
Lyrics by Otto A. Harbach
Sung by Howard Keel

"I'll Be Hard to Handle"
(uncredited)
Music by Jerome Kern
Lyrics by Bernard Dougall
Sung and Danced by Ann Miller and Men's Chorus

"Lafayette"
(uncredited)
Music by Jerome Kern
Performed by Howard Keel, Red Skelton and Gower Champion

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