Musical

Royal Wedding

by user
May 20, 2015August 26, 2024

Movie review of Royal Wedding (1951) starring Fred Astaire, Jane Powell, Peter Lawford, Sarah Churchill

Tom and Ellen Bowen (Fred Astaire and Jane Powell) are a brother and sister dance duo invited to perform in London during the same time that Princess Elizabeth and Prince Phillip are to be betrothed — only to find their own romances that threaten to break up the act!

by user
May 19, 2015March 8, 2024

movie review of Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937), starring Robert Taylor, Eleanor Powell, Buddy Ebsen, Billy Gilbert, Judy Garland

Synopsis of Broadway Melody of 1938

Steve Raleigh (Robert Taylor) wants to produce a show on Broadway. He finds a financial backer, Herman Whipple as well as a dancing leading lady, Sally Lee (Eleanor Powell). But Whipple’s scheming wife, Caroline, wants to force Steve to use a known star, not a newcomer. In a subplot, Sally (a former farm girl, who used to train horses on her parents’ farm before they lost everything in the Depression) purchases a horse and with two ex-vaudevillians, Sonny Ledford and Peter Trott (Buddy Ebsen), she trains it to win a race, providing the money Steve needs for his show.

by user
April 20, 2015January 10, 2024

I’ll See You in my Dreams, starring Danny Thomas and Doris Day

Doris Day and Danny Thomas romantically collaborate in this affectionate biopic of tunesmith Gun Kahn that’s a treasure chest of some of this century’s greatest songs. Year: 1952 Director: Michael Curtiz Starring: Doris Day, Danny Thomas, Frank Lovejoy

by user
April 8, 2015July 19, 2024

Movie review of Li’l Abner — the musical comedy movie, inspired by the Broadway play, that in turn was inspired by Al Capp’s famous comic strip about the inhabitants of Dogpatch

by user
March 18, 2015October 25, 2024

Panama Hattie (1942) starring Red Skelton, Ann Sothern, Rags Ragland, Virginia O’Brien

Synopsis

In Panama Hattie, the brassy but gold-hearted proprietress of a Canal Zone hotel, where she performs, is used to a rough-and-tumble crowd of sailors. But she falls for a wealthy socialite soldier, and doesn’t know how to handle herself.

by user
February 22, 2012November 17, 2023

Three Little Words (1950) starring Red Skelton, Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen, Arlene Dahl

Three Little Words is a long-time favorite movie of mine, for several reasons. First, I’m a large fan of the comedy of Red Skelton, and he’s given plenty of room to work his comedy, both physical and verbal. Likewise, I’m a fan of Fred Astaire, and I love to watch him dance. And he has his own very good sense of humor, that plays against Red’s very well. And thirdly, I’m a fan of well-done musicals, and Three Little Words definitely counts in that regard.

by user
February 19, 2012June 12, 2022

movie review of Lovely to Look At (1952) starring Howard Keel, Kathryn Grayson, Red Skelton, Ann Miller

Lovely to Look At is a combination romance, musical, comedy, and fashion show — no, really. It’s the story of three Americans (Al Marsh played by Red Skelton, Tony Naylor played by Howard Keel, Jerry Ralby played by Gower Champion). They are looking for financial backers for the Broadway show they want to put on … unsuccessfully. They are out of options, when Al’s Aunt Roberta dies. She left him with partial ownership of a fashionable Paris dress shop.

by user
February 19, 2012March 8, 2022

Du Barry Was A Lady (1943) starring Red Skelton, Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly

The basic plot of Du Barry Was A Lady is interesting. Hat check man Louis Blore (Red Skelton) is in love with nightclub star May Daly. (Lucille Ball) May, however, is love with a poor dancer (Gene Kelly). But due to her parents’ poverty wants to marry for money. When Louis wins the Irish Sweepstakes, he asks May to marry him. She accepts even though she doesn’t love him. Soon after, Louis has an accident and gets slipped a doctored drink (meant for Gene Kelly). He dreams that he s King Louis XV pursuing the infamous Madame Du Barry (Lucille Ball).

by user
February 18, 2012March 27, 2022

Texas Carnival (1951) starring Red Skelton, Esther Williams, Howard Keel, Ann Miller, and Keenan Wynn

Texas Carnival is an interesting musical, comedy and romance that s a little bit different. It has 4 very different stars Red Skelton, Esther Williams, Howard Keel, and Ann Miller with four different strengths, and gives each of them opportunity to showcase their talents. Red Skelton has several very funny moments clowning around, Esther Williams has one extended swimming sequence, Howard Keel sings his heart out in several songs, and Ann Miller is showcased in two different dancing routines.

by user
February 17, 2012June 12, 2022

Movie review of Bathing Beauty (1944) starring Red Skelton, Esther Williams, Basil Rathbone Synopsis of Bathing Beauty In Bathing Beauty, Swim instructor Caroline Brooks (Esther Williams) angrily returns to her teaching job… Read More »Bathing Beauty – starring Esther Williams and Red Skelton