MUSICALS, include humor, music, dancing and a story.
One of the reasons I love musicals, is the use of beautiful background scenery. Dancers seem to perform as if there is a live audience watching.
This is my version of DANCING WITH THE STARS.
Deep in My Heart(1954). Biographical musical about the life of operetta composer Sigmund Romberg, who wrote the music for The Student Prince, The Desert Song, and The New Moon. Leonard Spigelglass adapted the film from Elliott Arnold's 1949 biography of the same name. Stanley Donen directed and Eugene Loring choreographed.
The film, which takes its title from "Deep in My Heart, Dear," a song from "The Student Prince," which has cameos by nearly every singer or dancer on the MGM lot at the time. These include Cyd Charisse, Rosemary Clooney, Vic Damone, Howard Keel, Gene Kelly and his brother Fred Kelly (their only on-screen performance together), Tony Martin, Ann Miller, James Mitchell, Jane Powell, and the ballerina Tamara Toumanova. Robert Easton and Russ Tamblyn both make uncredited appearances.
Some highlights of Fred Kelly's career:
Winner of three Donaldson awards, which were the precursor of the Tony Awards: one for acting (presented by Helen Hayes), one for comedy (presented by Charlie Chaplin), and one for dance (presented by Antoinette Perry, for whom the Tony awards are named).
Directed The Ice Capades.
Introduced the mambo to the New York City dance scene.
Invented the cha-cha.
Taught a young man named John Travolta to dance in Oradell, NJ.
In the movie Meet Me in St. Louis, the song “The Boy Next Door” was based on Fred and his wife, Dottie, who was his childhood sweetheart. They lived next door to each other in Pittsburgh.
Fred produced, directed, or was otherwise involved with the first television drama series, soap opera, cooking show, and talk show - a true television pioneer.
Pete Kelly's Blues(1955). Directed by and starred Jack Webb. Janet Leigh, Peggy Lee, had a chance to really act and act she did in Pete Kelly's Blues earning her an Oscar nomination and many fans... This is one of the few times we get to see her in her heyday, beautiful, young and talented... Other cast members include, Rose Hopkins and Ella Fitzgerald, who makes a cameo as singer Maggie Jackson.
Lee Marvin, Martin Milner and a very young Jayne Mansfield also make early career appearances in minor roles.
Pete Kelly and his Big Seven Band, spend their evenings playing in a Kansas City, Missouri speakeasy. Things are going well for the band, until racketeer Fran McCarg, decides to take over the band and extort them for twenty-five percent of their earnings. Pete and his band, refuses to give into the mobster. Pete's closest friend, clarinetist Al Gannaway, predicts that McCarg will kill one of them.
Their next job is to play at a private party held by rich girl, Ivy Conrad, who is the daughter of a well known family. Pete, is not impressed by her behavior, but agrees to dance with her. When she grabs at his horn to get his attention, he lets her fall into the swimming pool. Meanwhile, McCarg phones the mansion to talk to Pete, but a drunken Joey takes the call and gives him a piece of his mind.
Later, while driving home, the band is run off the road by McCarg's men and Joey is thrown through the windshield. He quickly recovers, but Pete and Al know that their troubles have just begun.
Al, who has had enough of the violence, decides to leave the band. When Pete learns that Joey has had a fight with one of McCarg's men, Pete tries to try to smooth things over.
McCarg bursts into the speakeasy around two in the morning and Pete takes Joey out the back exit, but gunshots blast from a car at the alley entrance and kills Joey.
Later, Pete finds Ivy sleeping in his bed. He tries to send her home, but she refuses and he gives into her charms.
The band leaders meet to discuss putting their money together to buy protection. Thinking they do not stand a chance, Pete tells them that he plans to pay McCarg.
After being warned by singer Maggie Jackson, that a policeman, is looking for him, Pete is stopped by detective George Tenell. The cop wants Pete's help in building a case against McCarg. Back at the speakeasy, where the band is rehearsing, Pete tells McCarg they "have a deal". Despite the difference between the band's style and Rose's, bluesy singing, McCarg forces them to perform together.
One night, when the drunken Rose is ignored by a rowdy crowd, she can not finish her song. McCarg beats her up, as his thugs hold off Pete. Later, Pete learns that Rose suffered serious head injuries and has been admitted to a state asylum.
Angry, Pete accuses McCarg of Joey's murder and tries to quit, but when McCarg threatens him, Pete changes his mind.
Pete postpones his marriage to Ivy, who is broken hearted and breaks it off with him. Because he and Tenell think they can get to McCarg through Bettenhauser. Unfortunately, he ends up missing, Pete then visits Rose at the asylum. Even though, she is barly functioning, she is able to tell him that Bettenhauser is hiding out in Coffeeville, Kansas.
Tenell, contacts the Coffeeville police, and as they wait for them, Bettenhauser has Maggie ask Pete to meet her roadhouse. There, Bettenhauser tells Pete that McCarg ordered Joey's death. For $1,200, Bettenhauser offers to provide documents and cancelled checks that will prove McCarg's guilt. Bettenhauser, then tells him the documents are stored in the ballroom office. Al wants to go with Pete, who knocks him out to keep him from getting hurt.
Ivy wants to dance with him and asks to make up, but in the timing is bad.
Meanwhile McCarg, Bettenhauser and another thug enter and surround them. Pete and Ivy take cover behind tables during the shoot-out. How will Ivy and Pete get out of this alive?
Fun Fact:
Jack Webb actually knew how to play the cornet. He loved jazz music and, as a boy, was given a cornet by a musician who lived near his home. While he never truly mastered the instrument he knew it well enough that his handling and fingering of the cornet in this movie is accurate.
Would you ever think you would see this group of actors in the same movie.? Is it a musical or is it a film noir? Only you can decide.:) Lee Marvin, is amazing good in his small supporting role.. I just love him.. I would give this fast moving film a....B+
Peggy Lee (May 26, 1920 – January 21, 2002) was an jazz singer, songwriter, composer, and actress in a career spanning six decades. From her beginning as a vocalist on local radio to singing with Benny Goodman's big band, she forged a sophisticated persona, evolving into a multi-faceted artist and performer. She wrote music for films, acted, and created conceptual record albums—encompassing poetry, jazz, chamber pop, and art songs.Lee starred and sang in the hit films The Jazz Singer, Disney's Lady and the Tramp, and Pete Kelly's Blues, for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
In 1952 Lee played opposite Danny Thomas in a remake of the early Al Jolson film, The Jazz Singer. In 1955 she played an alcoholic blues singer in Pete Kelly's Blues, for which she received an Academy Awards nomination. In 1955 Lee did the speaking and singing voices for several characters in Disney's Lady and the Tramp movie: she played the human "Darling" (in the first part of the movie), the dog "Peg", and the two Siamese cats "Si" and "Am". In 1957 Lee guest starred on the short-lived ABC variety program, The Guy Mitchell Show.
In the early 1990s she retained famed entertainment attorney Neil Papiano to sue Disney for royalties on Lady and the Tramp. Lee's lawsuit claimed that she was due royalties for video tapes, a technology that did not exist when she agreed to write and perform for Disney. Her lawsuit was successful.
Never afraid to fight for what she believed in, Lee passionately insisted that musicians be equitably compensated for their work. Although she realized litigation had taken a toll on her health, Lee often quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson on the topic: "God will not have his work be made manifest by cowards."
Painting the Clouds with Sunshine(1951). Musical directed by David Butler. Cast: Dennis Morgan and Virginia Mayo (Virginia Mayo's singing voice was dubbed by Bonnie Lou Williams). The movie was based on an earlier musical, Gold Diggers of 1933.
The Dillon Sisters, Carol, Abby and June, decide to leave Hollywood and head for the bright lights of Las Vegas, in their travel trailer looking for millionaires. Although, Abby is still in love with her gambler/singer boyfriend Vince Nichols.
The girls park their trailer behind the Golden Egg, which is owned by Felix Hoff, who has run into financial problems. Things start looking up for Felix, when eccentric prospector, Sam Parks, rides up on a donkey and says that he wants to become partners. It is not long before Sam let's the cat out of the bag, saying that he is the heir of Felix's former business partner, who was killed after he was caught cheating in a poker game. Sam, then says he wants Felix buy out his half of the Golden Egg.
Ted, has followed Abby to Las Vegas and promises Carol that he will bring three millionaires to their opening night performance. Abby, goes out with Ted, but does not believe it when he tells her that he is one of the millionaires.
The next morning, as Abby is drowning in flowers, Carol shares with Abby and June that Ted is from a wealthy family. Ted shows up with an engagement ring and Carol makes Abby accept his proposal.
During a board meeting at the Lansing National Bank of Boston, Ted's cousin, Bennington Lansing, reads a magazine article about Abby and then makes plans to go to Las Vegas to save Ted from who he thinks is a gold digger.
After learning that Bennington is on his way, Carol comes up with a plan to change Bennington's mind. Bennington arrives early and Carol mistakes him for the interior decorator and shares all her plans with him.
June, sees Bennington take Abby's signed photograph of Vince, to use as evidence against her. She then informs Bennington, that he can find Vince singing at the Bingo Club. Part of Bennington's plan, was to pretend that he has changed his mind about Abby, by throwing them a celebration party at the Golden Egg and to pay Vince to break them up.
Vince, changes his mind and can not go through with the plan, then decides to double-cross Bennington, by gambling away the money he gave him. Abby tries to stop him.
When June finds Ted winning at the slot machines, they decide to make the round of casinos together. Carol encourages Bennington to drink too much, hoping that he will approve of Abby and Ted's a marriage. He then offers to help her with her tax returns, so she takes him to the trailer to sleep it off, where Sam has arranged to take pictures of them together.
Vince, wins a lot of money at the casino but does not win over Abby's heart. Carol, who has returned in time to hear Abby rejection of Vince, but does not believe her and tells him that Abby, is still in love with him.
The next morning, Sam tries to blackmail the Bennington with the pictures of him and Carol, but Carol tears up the picture. Not to happy on how things are going, Sam, practices his knife throwing, while Felix worries for his safety. Vince, shows up and pays the money owed Sam to help his friend Felix. At the Las Vegas Helldorado festivities, June and Ted, become engaged and Ted hands Abby over to Vince. Felix, thanks Vince, for saving his life. Bennington, proposes to Carol, Sam joins with the rest of the group and they all climb into a buggy for the Helldorado parade.
I really enjoyed this very colorful film, "Painting the Clouds With Sunshine." The clothes were glamorous and musical numbers were wonderful .. I know, I know.. The girls-looking-for-millionaires' plot is old hat, but I still loved it.. I also loved Gene Nelson's number, where he is playing the trumpet while dancing.
Lucille Norman (June 15, 1921–April 1, 1998). She performed as a singer for movie soundtracks and in 1942 she had her first film role, an uncredited part in, Personalities. She only had three film roles through the 1940s, and another three in the 1950s. Her best known role was in 1952 opposite Randolph Scott in the film, Carson City.
As the 40's era competition winds down with Judy Garland battling herself 4 times over, I thought I would go ahead and list the 50's era matches which will have round one starting next week on Tuesday. Looks like Gene Kelly will be the man to beat as he has three films competing in this era. There are also three Rodgers and Hammerstein musicals competing. Two Leslie Caron films, two Jane Powell films, 2 Fred Astaire films and one more from 40's queen Judy Garland. Looks to be an exciting era.
Small Town Girl(1953). Directed by László Kardos. Cast: Jane Powell, Farley Granger, and Ann Miller. Busby Berkeley choreographed several dance numbers.
In the small town of Duck Creek, Connecticut, all the people enjoy listening to Cindy Kimbell, sing in the church choir, during Sunday services. While, the Kimball family sit down to their Sunday dinner, a policeman brings over Rick Belrow Livingston III, who was caught speeding through town.
Because of his bad attitude, Cindy's father Gordon, the town's judge, sentences Rick to thirty days in jail. Rick, is taken to jail and the news quickly spreads among all the young women, of the town.
That evening, Rick watches from his cell window as the town's people meet for a town social and sees Cindy dancing with, Ludwig Schlemmer. The bidding begins for the box suppers prepared by the young ladies and Rick outbids Ludwig, for Cindy's box supper.
The next morning, photographers watch Rick cleaning the sidewalk and take a picture of him just as he gives Cindy a hug, on her way to work. The picture of Rick and Cindy, is on the front page of the paper. His fiancee Lisa, comes to town the next day to give Cindy a piece of her mind, Lisa visits Rick, in jail and reminds him that her birthday, is just a couple of days away.
Desperate to get out of jail, Rick plays on Cindy's sympathies, by telling her it is his mother's birthday. Cindy talks Happy, the jailer, to set the prisoner free for the night, but insists on going with Rick on his visit to see his "mother." When they arrive, a formal gathering is already in progress. After Cindy sings, for the guests, his butler, Hemmingway, locks her in a fur vault while Rick sneaks out to watch Lisa, perform in a Broadway musical.
Rick, gets a call from Hemmingway, who tells him that Cindy is in the fur vault, he races home to get her out. He then takes Cindy, out for a night on the town and they begin to fall in love. Back in his cell, Rick asks to serve out his sentence, but Gordon, wants him to leave town. Will Rick, go back to his fiancee or will he say back in the small town of Duck Creek, that he has grown so fond of?
The film, Small Town Girl, may not be the best MGM musical, or the best of Jane Powell's films. But.. it is very entertaining.
Fun Facts:
Hank Williams was to have made his acting debut in this film as a small-town sheriff, but died shortly before filming got underway.
Jane Powell was pregnant during the filming of this movie.
Soundtracks:
•"I've Gotta Hear that Beat"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Danced by Ann Miller
•"My Gaucho"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Danced by Ann Miller
•"Take Me To Broadway"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Performed by Bobby Van
•"My Flaming Heart"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Leo Robin
Performed by Nat 'King' Cole
•"The Lullaby of the Lord"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Leo Robin
•"Fine, Fine, Fine"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Leo Robin
•"Small Towns Are Smile Towns"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Leo Robin
•"The Fellow I'd Follow"
Music by Nicholas Brodszky
Lyrics by Leo Robin
•"Hallelujah Chorus"
(uncredited)
from "The Messiah"
Music by George Frideric Handel
Lyrics by Charles Jennens
Royal Wedding (1951). Best known for Fred Astaire's dance performance on a ceiling and with a coat rack.
Cast: Fred Astaire, Jane Powell, Peter Lawford, Sarah Churchill and Keenan Wynn, with music by Burton Lane. Directed by Stanley Donen. It was his second film and the first film he directed by himself.
Tom and Ellen Bowen, are a famous brother and sister dance act who's agent books them a show in London during the same time as the, Royal Wedding. They travel by cruise ship where Ellen meets and falls in love with, Lord John Brindale. After they arrive, Tom runs into Anne on the street and she is surprised when she learns that he is the star of the show. Tom hires her for a part in the show and then asks her out that night for a date.
Anne tells Tom that she has always loved to dance and sometimes imagines herself dancing on the ceiling. Later she takes Tom to meet her American-hating father, who takes an instant liking to Tom. Anne tells Tom that she is engaged to American Hal Rayton, but agrees to go out with him again.
The day before the opening, Ellen is heartbroken when she learns Johnny, cannot be at the opening because he has to attend a party for the royal couple. Tom, is also upset because Anne, wants to stay home to wait for a call from Hal. Tom and Ellen decide to go to the party together. The next night, the show goes off without a hitch and Johnny is able to leave the royal party to be with Ellen.
Walking home, Tom takes a photograph of Anne from the hotel lobby up to his hotel room, Tom then imagines himself dancing on the ceiling.
The next morning, Ellen and Tom, read about their wonderful reviews. Before Edgar leaves, Tom asks him to call Irving in New York and see if he can find any information on Hal. Before the performance, Edgar tells Tom that Hal, has been married for several months.
At the hotel, Ellen and Tom talk each other out of getting married and agree to keep the show together. On the morning of the royal wedding, all of London is celebrating, except Tom and Ellen, who realize that they cannot be happy unless they get married. Tom goes off to find Anne and Ellen goes to find Johnny..
Pure marshmallow fluff here, but... if you love Fred Astaire and Jane Powell, you will love this movie.. One of the more under-rated musicals of the early-1950s.
Fun Facts:
Initially Ginger Rogers was asked, but she declined. Then June Allyson was signed for the role, but had to drop out when she became pregnant. Judy Garland was then signed as Ellen, but due to personal issues was fired from the film. Jane Powell replaced Garland.
The story was loosely based on the real-life partnership of Fred Astaire and his sister, Adele Astaire. In real life, Adele Astaire married Lord Charles Cavendish, son of the Duke of Devonshire, just as Jane Powell, playing Fred's sister, marries an English Lord at the end of this film.
Nancy Goes to Rio (1950). Directed by Robert Z. Leonard and produced by Joe Pasternak from a screenplay by Sidney Sheldon, based on a story by Ralph Block, Frederick Kohner and Jane Hall. The music was directed and supervised by George Stoll and includes compositions by George and Ira Gershwin, Giacomo Puccini, Jack Norworth and Stoll. Cast: Ann Sothern, Jane Powell, Barry Sullivan, Carmen Miranda, Louis Calhern and Scotty Beckett.
Nancy Goes to Rio is a remake of the 1940 film, It's a Date, also based on the story by Block, Kohner and Hall, starring Deanna Durbin. Kay Francis and Walter Pidgeon.
The story begins when Frances wants the part in Ricardo's play and though she is promised the role, Ricardo asks her not to tell anyone until a final decision is made. Later, Ricardo tells Frances' producer that Frances may not be right for the part and he had another actress in mind. Then, when Ricardo meets Nancy, he instantly knows that he has found the perfect actress for the part.
The next day, Frances sets sail for Rio de Janeiro, to studying her lines and have a little fun. Gregory decides to go with Frances to Rio.
After watching Nancy's performance, Ricardo offers her the part that he promised Frances. Nancy accepts the role, though she does not know that Ricardo has already promised the part to her mother.
Nancy wants to study for the part and decides to meet up with her mother and grandfather to Rio. On board the ship, Paul Berten overhears Nancy rehearsing her lines and mistakenly believes that she is a deserted wife expecting a baby. Paul is worried about Nancy and asks his business partner, Marina Rodrigues, to talk to her. Nancy mistakes his concern for a marriage proposal and says good-by when the ship reaches Rio.
Nancy overhears her mother rehearsing her lines and now knows that they are both studying for the same part. She does not tell her mother that she supposed to star in Ricardo's play, she decides to tell her mother that she came to Rio to get married.
Nancy visits Paul at his office and tries to accept the marriage proposal she thought he had made. Paul confused, still thinks that Nancy is pregnant. He sends her home to talk to her mother about her problems, but.. Nancy misunderstands him and thinks that he wants her to discuss their marriage plans with her mother.
Things start to make sense when Paul tells Gregory that he had just met Nancy and heard about her problems on the boat. Gregory immediately recognizes the story of the play that Frances was reading and explains it to Frances. Will Frances withdraw from Ricardo's play and suggest Nancy as her replacement?
This is a wonderful musical, comedy and romance. It has many excellent dance numbers. Jane Powell, Ann Sothern, Carmen Miranda and Louis Calhern, all are amazing in their roles and musical performances.
Ann Sothern (January 22, 1909 – March 15, 2001), began her film career as an extra in the film, Broadway Nights(1927) at the age of 18. During 1929 and 1930, she appeared as a chorus girl in such films as: The Show of Shows and Whoopee! She had a trained voice, occasionally singing in films.
MGM cast Sothern in the film, Maisie (1939), as a Brooklyn burlesque dancer Mary Anastasia O'Connor who also goes by the stage name Maisie Ravier. After years of struggling, Sothern had her first major success, and a string of "Maisie" comedy sequels, beginning with, Congo Maisie (1940), and ending with Undercover Maisie (1947) . A review of Swing Shift Maisie (1943) by Time magazine described her as "one of the smartest comediennes in the business".
On November 24, 1941, Sothern performed in the Lux Radio Theater adaptation of Maisie Was a Lady, and the popularity of the film series led to her own radio program, The Adventures of Maisie.
In 1949, Sothern appeared in the Oscar winning film, A Letter to Three Wives. During the 1950s, she made a few movies, including The Blue Gardenia (1953).
In 1965, she was heard as the voice of Gladys Crabtree (the car) in the series My Mother the Car, which co-starred Jerry Van Dyke.
Her final film role was in, The Whales of August in 1987. Her role as the neighbor of elderly sisters, played by Lillian Gish and Bette Davis, brought Sothern her only, Best Supporting Actress Academy Award nomination.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954). Directed by Stanley Donen, with music by Saul Chaplin and Gene de Paul, and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. The script by Albert Hackett, Frances Goodrich, and Dorothy Kingsley, is based on the short story The Sobbin' Women, by Stephen Vincent Benét, which was based in turn on the Ancient Roman legend of The Rape of the Sabine Women. The film was a 1954 Oscar nominee for Best Picture. The film is known for the beautiful choreography by Michael Kidd, which makes dance numbers out of chopping wood and raising a barn.
The story begins when woodsman Adam Pontipee comes to town looking for a bride. He soon meets Milly, who agrees to marry Adam on a whim, even though she just met him. When she arrives at the cabin she is surprised to learn that Adam is one of seven brothers living in the same cabin.
Milly teaches Adam's younger brothers manners and how to dance. At first, the brothers have a hard time changing from their "mountain man" ways. Soon they are able to test their new manners at a barn-raising, where they meet six girls they like. One major problem, the girls already have suitors from the town, who get into fight with the brothers during the barn-raising. After which, they are banished from the town by the townspeople.
Winter arrives and the six younger brothers become moody longing for their girls. Adam reads his brothers the story of "Sobbin' Women" and tells them that they should go get their girls. Adam and his brothers come up with a plan to kidnap the girls and then cause an avalanche so that they can't be followed by the townspeople. Unfortunately, they have forgotten to kidnap a preacher. Milly is furious at Adam and the girls are upset at having been kidnapped. Milly sends the brothers out to the barn "with the rest of the animals" while the girls live in the house. Adam, offended by Milly's reaction, leaves for the trapping cabin to live out the winter by himself. Will his temper cool by the spring?
I do not remember very many western musicals that are this much fun to watch.
Fun Fact:
The dresses were made from old quilts that costume designer Walter Plunkett found at the Salvation Army.
Soundtracks:
"Barn Dance"
Music by Gene de Paul
danced by Brothers, Brides and Town Suitors
"Bless Yore Beautiful Hide"
Music by Gene de Paul
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Sung by Howard Keel
"Wonderful, Wonderful Day"
Music by Gene de Paul
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Sung by Jane Powell
"When You're in Love"
Music by Gene de Paul
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Sung by Jane Powell and Howard Keel
"Goin' Co'tin'"
Music by Gene de Paul
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Sung by Jane Powell
"House-Raising Dance"
Music by Gene de Paul
Danced by brothers, girls and city boys
"Lonesome Polecat"
Music by Gene de Paul
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Sung by Matt Mattox (dubbed by Bill Lee (uncredited)) and chorus
"Sobbin' Women"
Music by Gene de Paul
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Sung by Howard Keel, brothers
"June Bride"
Music by Gene de Paul
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Sung by Virginia Gibson and chorus
"Spring, Spring, Spring"
Music by Gene de Paul
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Sung by chorus
Cast:
Adam: Howard Keel appeared as "Adam," the romantic lead and eldest of the seven brothers.
Benjamin: Jeff Richards, who played "Benjamin," was a former professional baseball player who topped out at the AAA level of the minor leagues. Per the filming notes in the DVD anniversary edition, although obviously athletic, he is noticeably in the background, seated, or standing during the dance numbers so as to not expose his less than stellar dancing skills. Unfortunately this often relegated his partner, the classically-trained ballet dancer Julie Newmar, as well to the background.
Caleb, Daniel, Ephraim and Frank: All four actors (Matt Mattox, Marc Platt, Jacques d'Amboise, and Tommy Rall) were professional dancers - with d'Amboise (Ephraim) appearing on loan from the New York City Ballet. All four balanced on a beam together during their famous barn-raising dance.
Gideon: Russ Tamblyn beat Morton Downey Jr. for the role of youngest brother Gideon. Tamblyn showcased his gymnastics training throughout the action sequences.
Milly: Jane Powell channeled her experiences growing up in Oregon to create Milly. She and Howard Keel would later reprise their roles in a Seven Brides for Seven Brothers stage revival.
Dorcas: Julie Newmar (Newmeyer), a classically trained ballerina, would later rise to fame as Catwoman in the 1960s TV version of Batman. She also won a Supporting Actress Tony Award for The Marriage-Go-Round (starring Claudette Colbert). She appeared on her neighbor James Belushi's sitcom According to Jim after the two settled a highly publicized lawsuit.
Ruth: Ruta Lee enjoyed a long stage and television career, working with Lucille Ball, Sammy Davis, Jr., Elizabeth Taylor, Natalie Wood, and Frank Sinatra. Lee appeared in the sitcom Roseanne as the first girlfriend of Roseanne's mother. Her singing parts were dubbed in post-production by Betty Noyes.
Martha: Norma Doggett performed in the 1940s-50s Broadway shows Bells Are Ringing, Fanny, Wish You Were Here, Miss Liberty, and Magdalena
Liza: Virginia Gibson was nominated for a Tony Award in 1957 and performed regularly on the Johnny Carson show.
Sarah: Betty Carr was also a Broadway veteran, dancing in Damn Yankees, Happy Hunting, Mask and Gown, and Fanny (alongside Norma Doggett). She died in October 2008 (the first of the seven brides to pass away).
Alice: Nancy Kilgas made her film debut in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. She danced in the film versions of Oklahoma!, Shake, Rattle & Rock!, and Alfred Hitchcock's Torn Curtain.
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
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.
Lets Be Happy(1957). Cast: Vera Ellen's final film. Tony Martin, Cyd Charisse's husband. Robert Flemyng, Zena Marshall and Helen Horton. Directed by Henry Levin, written by Dorothy Cooper and Diana Morgan.
After her grandfather's death, Jeannie has been taking in neighbors' washing in order to support herself. Soon after, she receives the money her grandfather left her in his will. Jeannie, immediately decides to spend the money on a trip to Scotland to see the Edinburgh Festival, but.. the only reservation available on short notice is on an, Air France flight to Paris. On board the plane, she is seated next to Stanley Smith, a washing machine inventor, who is hoping to sell his invention to a businessman in Paris.
When they arrive in Paris, they go their separate ways, but after Stanley learns that Mr. Fielding, the man he needs to see, is not there, he meets Jeannie back on the train to Edinburgh.
Later when Jeannie arrives at her boardinghouse, she learns that they have lost her reservation, which leaves her without a room. She goes to see Stanley, to see if he can help her find a room. While Stanley is arranging a room for her, Jeannie meets down on his luck Lord James MacNairn, who is looking for wealthy wife and mistakes her for a millionaires. After Stanley, registers Jeannie in the bridal suite they to go out that evening.
The next day Stanley, meets Helene, a French fashion model and breaks his date with Jeannie saying he has to go to a business meeting.. Unfortunately, Jeannie sees him leaving out her window with his date.
The next day, Jimmy shows Jeannie around Edinburgh and invites her to a ballet. Not knowing that Stanley has bought tickets for a different event, she tells him that she has another date and accuses him of lying to her. Stanley and Helene follow Jeannie and Jimmy to the ballet and later dine at separate tables in the same restaurant. Jeannie spends the next few days with Jimmy, taking in Scotland's scenic beauty. At dinner that evening, when Jeannie tells Jimmy that she is leaving the next day, he asks her to marry him. Stanley interrupts them to announce that he has made his business deal a success and that is when Jeannie informs him that she and Jimmy are engaged. After Stanley leaves, Jeannie tells Jimmy that all of her money is gone. Jimmy says that he thought that she was a millionairess and he originally wanted to marry Jeannie for her money, but now... he wants to marry her for herself. Jeannie tells Jimmy that she likes him, but not enough to marry him and sails back to the United States. There she sells the house in Heatherdale and makes plans to move to New York. As she is packing, Stanley shows up and shows her a newspaper story about Jimmy's engagement to a toothpaste heiress. When Stanley tells her that he loves her, will she set her pride aside and agree to marry him?
This is a wonderful scenic musical set in the 50s. And a wonderful opportunity to see Vera Ellen's dance number.
Vera Ellen
Zena Moyra Marshall (1 January 1926 – 10 July 2009) was a British actress of film and television. Her film career began with a small role in the film, Caesar and Cleopatra (1945), with Claude Rains and Vivien Leigh. Her exotic looks resulted in her being cast in "ethnic" roles, such as Asian women, including her role as Miss Taro, in the first James Bond film, Dr. No (1962). Marshall also performed in the film,Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines (1965) as the Countess Ponticelli.
Let's Do it Again (1953). Directed by Alexander Hall. Cast: Jane Wyman, Ray Milland, Aldo Ray, and Tom Helmore.
This film is from the stage play by Arthur Richman, The Awful Truth (1924), which was previously filmed in 1925, 1929, and 1937, the last starring Cary Grant and Irene Dunne.
Broadway composer Gary Stuart learns that while on vacation his wife, Constance Stuart, spent an evening in a Country Inn with another composer, Courtney Craig. Connie reminds Gary of his own behavior with dancer, Lilly Adair. They file divorce and in the divorce papers they are issued a sixty-day waiting period.
Wanting to visit Connie, Gary asks if he can stop by to use his piano, but.. rushes out when she receives flowers from Courtney, who wants her audition the next day. Connie's performance wins the attention of young Alaskan mining millionaire, Frank McGraw.
One evening when Connie and Frank, return to Connie's apartment they find Gary and some movers trying to move his piano. Gary, bribes the movers to drag out the process as long as possible.
A few weeks later, Courtney visits Connie where she insists her divorce will go through as planned. Meanwhile, his brother Chet reveals to Gary that she has really been seeing Frank.
When Gary runs into Connie and Frank at a supper-club where Lilly is performing, he arranges an introduction between Lilly and Frank.
The next morning, Connie finds Gary composing his songs on the piano. Connie says she is committed to marrying Frank as soon as the divorce becomes final. While Connie fixes breakfast, Frank knocks on the door and discovers Gary wearing Connie's robe. Frank demands an explanation. Gary implies that Connie's interest in Courtney was the cause for their divorce.
Later, Gary's new show opens, but he does not care because Connie is not there to support him. Chet tells him that the story of the Country Inn was meant only to make Gary jealous.
As Connie is packing for her trip to Seattle to meet Frank's parents, Courtney arrives. He proposes to Connie, who admits she still loves Gary. Just then Gary, arrives to take Connie to the airport and Gary looks into the bedroom where Courtney is hiding. The two are in a huge fight when Frank drops by and leaves, soon Connie hears that he is now dating, Lilly.
Angry, Gary refuses to speak to Connie and begins dating Deborah Randolph. Connie is worried as the sixty-day waiting period nears its end and finally gets Gary to agree to meet her at the apartment, where he makes phone call to Deborah. Connie, retaliates by singing a romantic song. Gary tells Deborah that Connie is his sister. When he returns to his apartment, Deborah has arranged a large party at Gary's "sister's" request. Connie, arrives and performs one of Lilly's dance routines, but Deborah recognizes her and tells Gary he should return to Connie. Gary realizes he has been foolish and Connie admits she has always been faithful.
Let's Do it Again, is one of my favorite Jane Wyman movies. She is obviously enjoying herself and looks wonderful in her beautiful Jean Louis wardrobe.
Valerie Bettis (December 1919 – 26 September 1982). She found success in musical theatre, ballet and as a solo dancer.
She attended the University of Texas for only one year before moving to New York City to study modern dance under Hanya Holm. She performed and toured with Holm's company from 1937 through 1940.
Valerie Bettis, first musical comedy was when she choreographed and performed in, Glad to See You(1944). In 1948, she won a Theatre World Award for her performance in, Inside U.S.A., a revue that would run for nearly 400 performances at the New Century Theatre and the Majestic Theatre.
Rita Hayworth's dances to the songs "Trinidad Lady" and "I've Been Kissed Before" (in the 1952 movie Affair in Trinidad), as well as the "Dance Of The Seven Veils" (in the 1953 movie Salome) were choreographed by Valerie Bettis.
