Singin' and Dancing Back in Time.: Rich, Young and Pretty(1951).

Friday, February 11, 2011

Rich, Young and Pretty(1951).

Rich, Young and Pretty(1951). Directed by Norman Taurog. It was written by Dorothy Cooper and Sidney Sheldon. Cast: Jane Powell, Danielle Darrieux, Wendell Corey, and Fernando Lamas, and introduced Vic Damone.

The story begins when, wealthy Texas rancher Jim Stauton Rogers is called to Paris on a United Nations matter, he invites his daughter Elizabeth, to come along with him. Although, he is fearful that she will run into his estranged wife, singer Marie Devarone. Even though, Jim tries to keep Liz's picture out of the papers, Marie sees her picture in the newspaper and with the help of he friend, Paul Sarnac, they comes up with a plan to meet her daughter. That night, Jim and Liz enjoy an evening out on the town.

Back at the hotel, Jim is not too happy about receiving flowers with a note from Marie. Reading the card, Jim thinks back to when they first met:

During a American Legion convention, Jim meets and falls in love with Marie, who sings in a small club. After they marry they go back to his small ranch in Texas. Jim, spends much of his time working while Marie is lonely, even after the birth of their daughter Liz. When Liz is about two years old, Marie returns to France.

Back in the present, before Jim leaves on a business trip to London, he asks Glynnie to keep Liz away from Marie. That afternoon, Liz has fun day shopping with Henri's son, Andre. Well known French painter Claude Duval, asks Liz to sit for a painting and she agrees. At Duval's studio, Marie, secretly watches her daughter and has Duval invite Liz to the nightclub later that night. Marie arranges a wonderful dinner for Liz and Andre, who are very impressed by the service they receive from the maitre d'. Marie cannot reveal who she really is, because Liz believes that her mother died when she was a baby. Paul, suggests that she introduce herself as a friend of Andre's father. After Paul and Marie's performance, she goes to Liz and Andre's table and invites them to meet her for tea the next day, Liz accepts the invite. At the end of the evening, Jim calls Liz from London. He is pleased that she has been out with Andre, but when Liz mentions meeting Marie, Jim decides they need to return to Paris as soon as possible. Jim wants to keep Liz from marrying Andre and repeating the same mistake he did when he married her mother.

Rich, Young and Pretty, is a wonderful example of the romantic/musical/comedy light movies that came out in the 1950's and the 1960's. An excellent cast and some wonderful music. It was the introductory film for Vic Damone, with excellent singing by him, Jane Powell, Fernando Lamas, Danielle Darrieux and The Four Freshmen.

Fun Facts:

The film was Darrieux's first Hollywood film since, The Rage of Paris(1938).

Film debuts of Vic Damone and Fernando Lamas.

Jane Powell was pregnant during filming.

"Wonder Why"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Sung by Jane Powell and Vic Damon

"There's Danger in Your Eyes, Cherie"
(uncredited)
Written by Pete Wendling, Harry Richman and Jack Meskill
Sung by Danielle Darrieux

"Dark is the Night"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Sung by Jane Powell

"Paris"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn

"L'amour toujours (Tonight for Sure)"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn

I Can See You"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn

"We Never Talk Much"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn

"How D'Ya Like Your Eggs in the Morning"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Sung by Four Freshmen (as The Four Freshmen)

"Old Piano Roll Blues"
(uncredited)
Written by Cy Coben

"Deep in the Heart of Texas"
(uncredited)
Music by Don Swander
Lyrics by June Hershey
French Lyrics by Maurice Vandair

2 comments:

JavaBeanRushFebruary 11, 2011 at 3:50 PM
That dress! I wanted to have a copy of that halter top dress and a copy of her white and green dressing gown.

Didn't know Powell was expecting.

Always thought the script made the mom irredeemably insensitive and consequently villainous. Abandoning the baby because she missed France is just not enough of a reason to completely drop parental duties without a word and still expect the audience to empathize with mommy. Consequently the "happy" family reunion at the last seems contrived. If I were dad I'd be more than pissed.

Love Vic Damone and Jane Powell - so lovely together.
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DawnFebruary 12, 2011 at 2:44 AM
Javabeanrush, I also loved the halter top dress.. Actually, all the clothes in this film were amazing.

I really think the movie was really to showcase the musical numbers. I was really suprised at how well Liz, took the news about finding out who her mother really was. A little to unbelievable for me.
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