Singin' and Dancing Back in Time.: Three Little Words(1950).

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Three Little Words(1950).

Three Little Words(1950). Musical film biography of the Tin Pan Alley songwriting partnership of Kalmar and Ruby. Cast: Fred Astaire, Bert Kalmar, Red Skelton, Vera Ellen and Debbie Reynolds in a small role as singer. Harry Ruby served as a consultant on the project, and appears in a cameo role as a baseball-catcher.

One of Astaire's favourites, because of the vaudeville connection. As Hollywood film biographies it takes fewer liberties with the facts than usual, and Astaire and Skelton's onscreen portrayal of the partnership is complemented by a wonderful chemistry, some quality acting by both, and some fine comedy touches by Skelton. Two of the songs, "Thinking of You"

And "Nevertheless", became major hits.

In recognition of his acting performance here, Fred Astaire was awarded the first Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy in 1951.

Fun Facts:

Vocals for Debbie Reynolds were dubbed by Helen Kane.

Vocals for Vera-Ellen were dubbed by Anita Ellis.

The dress worn by Gale Robbins in the "All Alone Monday" number is the same dress worn by Ann Miller in the "Girl on the Magazine Cover" in Easter Parade (1948).

Soundtracks:

"Where Did You Get That Girl?"

Written Harry Puck, Bert Kalmar
Sung and Danced by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen (dubbed by Anita Ellis)

"She's Mine, All Mine"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by quartet

"Mr. and Mrs. Hoofer at Home"
(uncredited)
Music by André Previn
Danced by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen

"My Sunny Tennessee"
Written by Harry Ruby, Herman Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Fred Astaire, Red Skelton

"So Long! Oo-Long (How Long You Gonna Be Gone?)"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Fred Astaire, Red Skelton

"Who's Sorry Now?"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar, Ted Snyder
Sung by Gloria DeHaven

"Test Dance"
(uncredited)
Music by André Previn
Danced by Fred Astaire

"Come on, Papa"
Written by Harry Ruby, Edgar Leslie, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Vera-Ellen (dubbed by Anita Ellis)
Danced by Vera-Ellen, chorus

"Nevertheless"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen (dubbed by Anita Ellis), and Red Skelton
Danced by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen

"All Alone Monday"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Gale Robbins (later by Arlene Dahl)

"You Smiled at Me"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Arlene Dahl

"I Wanna Be Loved by You"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar, Herbert Stothart
Sung by Debbie Reynolds (dubbed by Helen Kane)

"Thinking of You"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Fred Astaire (later by Red Skelton)
Danced by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen

"I Love You So Much"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Arlene Dahl

"Three Little Words"
Written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar
Sung by Fred Astaire (later by Red Skelton)

"You are My Lucky Star"
(uncredited)
by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed
Sung by Phil Regan

1 comment:

AnonymousAugust 3, 2012 at 7:03 AM
I have a Tempo Records 78 of "Three Little Words" with "If I Had My Way" on the reverse side. Lists Harry Ruby & Bert Kalmar underneath the titles. Any idea how old this record is?

Thanks so much -
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