Tuesday, February 8, 2011

It's Always Fair Weather (1955).


It's Always Fair Weather(1955). Scripted by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, who also wrote the shows lyrics, scored by André Previn. Cast: Gene Kelly, Dan Dailey, Cyd Charisse, Michael Kidd, and Dolores Gray. The film was co-directed by Kelly and Stanley Donen .

This is a lighter film about three soldiers readjusting to civilian life after war. The three soldiers head straight for favorite neighborhood bar and make a promise to each other to return in 10 years to catch up on each others lives. A fun use of split screen shows the men on their individual paths as the years go by. Ted Riley, becomes involved with gamblers/ bookies as a fighter promoter. Doug Hallerton, enters the corporate world of advertising. Angie Valentine, opens up a hamburger joint, called The Cordon Bleu.


When it is time for them to meet for their 10 year reunion, it seems that they take an immediate dislike to each other, realizing they have outgrown one another and have nothing in common. The three agree to have lunch at a classy New York restaurant where they are seen by one of Doug's advertising colleagues, Jackie. Who, thinks it is a wonderful idea to feature the three reunited friends on the TV show, Midnight with Madeline hosted by a over the top, Madeline. Their reunion is further complicated by a group of gangsters who are after Ted.

It's Always Fair Weather (1955), did remind me a lot of the film, On the Town, starring Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin. I thought it was a wonderful film about three Army buddies making an effort to accept how each of their personalities had changed over the years. Gene Kelly's, rollerskating number is absolutely breathtaking. And the 3 friends dance with garbage cans on their feet is great fun to watch. Dan Dailey's solo, is a wonderful performance.. as he dances with grace while he may have had a few too many mixed drinks..One thing in the film that left me a little sad is, we don't hear them make plans to meet again.











6 comments:

  1. I'm glad you profiled this movie. This is an underrated gem. The best numbers are Gene Kelly dancing in rollerskates and Cyd Charisse dancing with boxers. I recommend this movie to anyone who hasn't seen it. Great stuff!!!

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  2. Thanks for putting this up. The DVD includes the musical outtakes; a piece with Michael Kidd and a duet with Gene and Cyd.

    Rick

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  3. Lobosco, I agree. This film features some of my favorite dancers.

    rik005hun, Your welcome. I have not seen the out takes, I bet they are great.

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  4. As a dance school, we at Arthur Murray feel that musicals feature some great examples of different types of dance and movement.

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  5. Jude, I agree.. Musicals, really do have some beautiful dance numbers. I would love to be a dancer and wish I would have gotten into dancing when I was growing up.

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  6. Ahuu,it's one of the best 5 musicals ever.

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