Living in a Big Way (1947) User Reviews (17)

The Unconsummated 'Body'

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 24 August 2013]

The wartime housing shortage for returning veterans gets an amusing and telling look from one of Gene Kelly's lesser known pictures, Living In A Big Way. Kelly plays a GI who marries Marie McDonald on impulse before going overseas. They don't even have time to get down to business. They're not even that well acquainted.

This film is directed by Gregory LaCava who gave us two screen comedy classics, Stage Door and My Man Godfrey. This film bares more than a passing resemblance to the latter. Living In A Big Way turned out to be LaCava's last completed film.

The big shock that Kelly gets when he returns home to claim his bride with pal Bill Phipps is to discover she's rich. And she's got a stuffy fiancé in John Warburton whom she hasn't bothered to tell about that unconsummated marriage. Being married to 'The Body' that's the part most unbelievable about Living In A Big Way.

In fact it is the main weakness of Living In A Big Way. Had someone like Lana Turner or Carole Lombard been cast in the role of the unfulfilled wife some of the comedy aspects in her character would have been handled a lot better. Living In A Big Way might have become a classic. It might not have needed the musical numbers Kelly did which were creative and fun, but kind of forced into the film. The wife's role truly was one made for Carole Lombard who was beyond casting.

Charles Winninger and Spring Byington as the parents are carbon copies of Eugene Palette and Alice Brady from My Man Godfrey. There's also a nice performance by Jean Adair as McDonald's grandmother.

And one role to note, that of Phyllis Thaxter as a war widow who joins Kelly's and Phipps's community of veterans. She's the kind of girl that every GI would love to have come home to.

Living In A Big Way is an amusing enough film, but hardly one of the great films of Gene Kelly or Gregory LaCava.

An artistic flop with greatness hidden inside its mediocrity.

[mark.waltz · 6/10 · 22 March 2013]

There's a lot to like in this musical variation on "The Best Years of Our Lives" where a returned G.I.

(Gene Kelly, once again in a military uniform) comes back to Los Angeles to find the bride he married before going overseas and ends up believing only married him for his allotment checks. It turns out that she (Marie McDonald, aka "The Body") is actually a wealthy socialite, a beauty contest winner who has no interest in being married to him, at first. Through the advice of her spunky grandma (Jean Adair of "Arsenic and Old Lace"), Kelly decides to move on, taking over her old mansion which he intends to turn into a residence for homeless veterans. The more he looses interest in McDonald, the more she gets interested in him again. The real issue for Kelly is the question, is she really worth the effort? As it turns out, the answer to that is an empathetic "No!" with her selfishness so obvious that it becomes obvious that Kelly is way above her. Everybody in her family likes him and seems to find McDonald only tolerable because she's one of the family. But this is an MGM musical, and in these films, the bad girls usually reform or are more comic relief. McDonald seems more appropriate for film noir where the femme fatal is usually a big-busted, rather masculine female with little or no redeeming values.

Then, there's Clinton Sundberg as the prissy butler, a nasty character whose wisecracking makes Monty Woolley in "The Man Who Came to Dinner" and Clifton Webb in "Laura" seem masculine by comparison. His nasty commentary on everything going on becomes tiresome after a while. Usually cast in quietly sardonic roles, this "vicious queen" part is so stereotypically awful that you just wish the boss (Charles Winninger as McDonald's world-weary father) would give him the boot. Spring Byington adds another overly concerned wife role to her repertoire, nagging Winninger about his drinking even though you can understand why he reaches for the bottle in the first place.

The musical numbers are all superb and are quite different than anything Kelly had done up to that point. He sings and dances to "I'll See You in My Dreams" with McDonald (set in happier times when they first met), has a cute dance number with McDonald's neglected pooch, and later participates in a bunch of children's games where his acrobatic skills (later perfected in "The Pirate") are shown off to great effect.

The scenes where Kelly befriends widow Phyllis Thaxter have you hoping that he'll give McDonald the boot and find happiness with this Donna Reed like young lady, but this is MGM where divorce can't be granted easily. This gives the film a multi-personality, the mix of comedy, music and drama sometimes conflicting, and certainly wrapped up too smoothly.

Some nice Kelly dance moments, but ...

[deeneeme · 5/10 · 27 February 2021]

Gene Kelly's dancing and some fun performances from the supporting cast are the only things that save this film from being a total disaster. Gene Kelly and Marie McDonald have almost zero chemistry together. I blame McDonald's bland acting for that. Kelly had much better chemistry with Phyllis Thaxter, and I found myself rooting for him to forget Margot and marry Peggy. The sad thing is that this is one of those films that could have been a solid hit with a better leading lady and the dazzle of technicolor.

Forgotten Film

[lzf0 · 4 July 2002]

No, this is not "Singin in the Rain" or "On the Town" or "Cover Girl" or "Anchors Away"! It's a simple black and white comedy with a handful of musical numbers thrown in. Kelly does an eye popping dance number on a construction site and does another cute number with a dog. These are as inventive as his numbers in more expensive films, but the "B quality" of the film does not do them any justice. He also sings "It Had to Be You". The plot is totally forgettable comedy fodder and since Kelly was never really known for his comedy playing, it falls a little flat. However, the dance numbers are terrific.

Living in a Big Way is one of the more obscure Gene Kelly movies

[tavm · 7/10 · 30 March 2016]

I only knew of this title after reading a book of the films of Gene Kelly. So now I've just watched this on a DVD I borrowed from the library. It seems to be mainly a comedy of soldier Kelly and a dance hall girl played by Marie McDonald who get married during World War II before he leaves for another service run. It's after the war's over and he comes back and she's wealthy which he didn't know at the time that things get a little complicated. There's some funny lines from supporting players like Spring Byington, Charles Winninger, and Clinton Sundberg. But the main enjoyment comes from Kelly's dances especially one sequence where he plays with some children while also going up and down a half-built house. So on that note, I recommend Living in a Big Way for any Gene Kelly fan who has yet to discover this.

An obscure film that has a very confused script but also memorable dancing

[TheLittleSongbird · 5/10 · 16 September 2016]

Love Gene Kelly and musicals, but 'Living in a Big Way' is somewhat of a lesser film in Kelly's filmography and while there are definitely far worse film musicals out there while watchable there are far better as well.

There are pleasures here. The best thing about 'Living in a Big Way' is the dancing, which is memorable and a sheer delight. The sequence on the construction site sends up an absolute storm, and it is difficult to resist the adorable one with the dog. Kelly is charismatic in the lead and dances a dream as always, he's never put a foot wrong when it comes to dancing and has dazzled more often than not as a choreographer. Jean Adair and Spring Byington are breaths of fresh air in support, and Phyllis Thaxter charms even with a limited character and a subplot that is not developed that well.

You can't talk about a musical without mentioning the music/songs, and while only "It Had to Be You" is a classic all of them are very pleasant to listen to with nothing coming over as a dud. Gregory La Cava does reliably direction-wise with what there is, and the production values are lovingly done if not spectacular.

On the other hand, Clinton Sundberg falls completely flat and is not funny at all, what was intended as sardonic comes over as mean-spirited and Sundberg just grates to maximum effect. Outside of the musical numbers and the dance sequences, the story is nowhere near as memorable and can drag, suffering also from a lack of chemistry between Kelly and Marie McDonald, who is very sympathetic and cold with little charm or range.

Coming off worst is the script, which tonally is very confused, inept at worst, and doesn't seem to be able to decide what it wanted to be. It tries to be comedy, drama, a musical and social message film, and only really succeeds at the musical. The comedy has fleeting good moments, mainly with Adair, but frequently grates and lacks wit particularly with Sundberg. The drama lays it heavy with the sentimentality and the over-maudlin quality is hard to stomach on occasions, while the social message element was forced and unnecessary.

On the whole, an obscure with pleasures, like the memorable dancing, but because the script is as poor as it is, is worth it for curiosity value and for Kelly completests but not much else. 5/10 Bethany Cox

I wish it had been better, but it was okay with some grabbers

[mjdiii-1 · 5/10 · 10 March 2006]

The dog, the kids and the dancing were really good. Someone should take the dancing sequences out and put them into a Kelly documentary. The kids were cute especially dancing and in the bathtub. Chris, the dog, was fantastic.

It is really hard not to like Gene Kelly. There was a real fault in the screen play in the lack of character development. Phyllis Thaxter's role was underdeveloped as was Marie MacDonald's. Thaxter was as perfect as she could be granted her limited screen time; I would have thought that a lot of her material was left on the cutting room floor. MacDonald had beautiful hair and figure, but the script gave her no consistent motivation.

Ideas of divorce and marriage in this film were problematic (or fortyish) but they did not interfere with the dog, the kids, or the dancing.

There was a lot of room for further development of the with Morgan family. There seemed to be gaps, which led me to wonder what the exact nature of family tension was.

All in all, there were a lot of missed opportunities.

I love it

[kath1703 · 10/10 · 21 December 2005]

I thought this movie was fun. I have never really watched old movies before and this one was a really great first date film. It had warmth and heart and spirit. Was kind of cheesy but in today's film industry, cheesy is cute. I gave it a ten and I highly suggest renting, buying or seeing the movie anyway you can. Gene Kelly was very dreamy and a little bit sarcastic and you knew the character thought that he was gonna have it all. The female lead was cast perfect because their two personalities had spark and you wanted to hold on and see what would happen. The grandma in the movie was priceless. The perfect addition to a great old movie. I love the fact it was black and white and Gene Kelly is so sweet with all the kids in the movie that you can't help liking him. See It.

Not terrible but not great either

[witchaphrodite · 5/10 · 19 December 2005]

This may contain spoilers for some.

The storyline could have been an interesting premise. A returning soldier and his war bride coping with their marriage following his return from war. But too many flaws are to be found.

The casting was not carefully done. Gene Kelly and Marie McDonald were lacking in chemistry. Gene's chemistry with Phyllis Thaxter was much better.

Marie McDonald was beautiful, although she does not seem to have been a great actress (this is the only film of hers I've seen), she is not terrible. I do think she would have been aided if cast opposite an actor she had more chemistry with and with a better script.

This film is watchable but not memorable. The character development is lacking. Marie's character Margaud goes back and forth and the writers don't seem to have known whether they wished for her to be a good person who made some mistakes or a selfish one. The instances with the divorce and then her later help with the housing are examples.

Gene's character seems to go back and forth about whether he wants his marriage to work or not.

The film in general does not seem to know whether it wants to be a drama or a musical comedy. The absence of a direction for the film to go causes it to be wrapped up a little to easily within the last few minutes of the film.

For those who are fans of Gene or Marie, then this film should be viewed. Or just for those who are curious about the acting of Marie McDonald who's acting has been heavily criticized and is mostly known for her nickname "The Body".

Musical With Heart in A Big Way ****

[edwagreen · 12 March 2011]

What a wonderful movie we have here. It had heart and in a musical way.

Jean Adair, as the wise grandmother, steals the film with her keen mind and knowing what's good for all. Ms. Adair, who was quite a hoot 3 years before as the crazed Brewster sister in "Arsenic and Old Lace," was terrific here. Ironically, in a small role, the guy who played Teddy Roosevelt running up the stairs, who thought he was in San Juan Hill in the same picture, briefly is in this wonderful film as well.

The film is an excellent one because it has a great plot and attempts to deal with these war-time sudden marriages and aftermath once peace came in 1945.

Gene Kelly,as always making the dancing look easy, is absolutely wonderful here. Gene also had a wonderful knack dancing with children or with animation as we saw two years before in "Anchor's Aweigh." He gets great support by Marie MacDonald, who unfortunately died so young, as the spoiled rich brat who married him and then wants to dump him on his return.

You wonder through the entire film if Kelly will reunite with MacDonald or instead go to Phyllis Thaxter, so appealing as a war widow with 3 children. The idea of the wealthy family comprising of a comical Charlie Winninger and Spring Byington,(she's terrific at the pool scene and in court as well)and Adair helping the homeless veterans by providing adequate housing for them, greatly adds to the film.

You know this is a great film because you'll be sorry that it ends, but with a proper ending.

living in a big way

[mossgrymk · 4/10 · 25 June 2022]

A most dispiriting end to Gregory La Cava's fine directorial career. Basically, I knew I was in trouble during the opening desultory dance number featuring Kelly and some bland, blonde babe named McDonald. I mean, if this guy's hoofin can't rouse you then you know you're in for a long slog. C minus.

It Had To Be -- Who?

[Handlinghandel · 3/10 · 4 April 2005]

Watchable but pretty terrible. How shocking that this was the great Gregory La Cava's last directing credit! Even in his better known roles, I don't care for Gene Kelly. He seems to me to be smug, hostile, and self-involved. Here, paired with a minor actress like Marie Wilson, he seems to show those characteristics in spades.

Marie Wilson, playing an heiress who falls for a military man, is exceptionally hard and unsympathetic. The actors seem to be working hard to get past the hard, disagreeable core of the picture and they do OK.

The know-it-all butler is apparently meant to be funny but he seems like an extended riff on the prissy bits for which Franklin Pangborn was famous (and in which, despite their stereotyping, he was generally funny -- unlike this guy.) Phyllis Thaxter is as always very appealing in a rather underdeveloped secondary plot.

Fun romp with some heart and soul

[eospaulding · 8/10 · 30 May 2022]

Cute film. Lots of plusses, a comfortable way to fill 100 minutes.

Some of the directorial touches could have been stronger. The biggest issue with box office failure 75 years ago, I suspect, is that viewers probably expected Anchors Aweigh or The Pirate.

Living in a Big Way is not that. It offers a ,mix of post-WW II reality, romance (not especially well handled), humor, dance numbers, and family fare.

Gene Kelly's dancing and choreography (done by the star and Stanley Donnen) are first-class. The children are excellent. I'd never seen Jean Adair before: Her turn as the female star's grandmother is first-rate. An early-30s Barbara Billingsley (Leave It To Beaver) looks like Lucille Ball's separated-at-birth twin.

I don't often, after 10,000 movies, find a new, fresh offering. This one qualifies. High quality? No . . . Sometimes, escapist fun is plenty.

Why would ANYONE want her back?!

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 27 May 2022]

"Living in a Big Way" is a film with portions I liked but overall I don't recommend it because there is a fatal flaw in the writing....you don't like one of the main characters and it's supposed to be a romance!

The story begins during WWII. Leo (Gene Kelly) and Margo (Marie McDonald) falling in love. But since it is the war and Leo is soon shipping out, they impulsively get married despite barely knowing each other....and he's sent overseas before they can even consummate the marriage.

The story now skips to just after the war has ended. Leo is looking forward to a life of wedded bliss with Margo. But when he seeks her out, he finds she's NOT the poor girl he thought she was...she's a rich model used to a life of ease.

Now at this point, the story was quite good. But Margo's reaction to her husband's return is bizarre and shows her to be an awful person. She apparently already has a NEW fiance picked out and informs Leo he's unwanted and he should get a divorce. Now, I CAN understand a woman thinking they made a bad and impulsive choice...that's understandable. But not even wanting to talk with him makes her seem like a real jerk. Soon, you learn she ALSO had a very cute mutt...and got bored with it and gave it away. So, you've got a leading character who is selfish and self-absorbed.... NOT what you'd want in a leading lady in a romance. Can the film be saved?

The story gets better later....so I still gave it a 5. But Margo was just unlikable....very unlikable. Also, while there were some dance numbers here and there, they weren't integrated into the story well at all and just seemed slapped there in order to give Kelly a chance to show off his talents. Overall, not the worst sort of romance but not a very good one either.

It's not Singin' in the Rain, but its good...

[cass0106 · 9/10 · 14 December 2006]

I thought this movie was quite good. It was on TCM (Turner Classic Movies) at three am one night, and its offbeat humor kept me up til five. Kelly performs beautifully in this role, especially with the Grandma (whose quip almost caused me to laugh out of my seat). The main actress was alright, but the father was able to keep his character isolated from the marriage conflict and kept the humor coming. If you like a good offbeat, older movie, I would recommend it. Unlike the other comment, I do like Gene Kelly. He was the perfect leading actor for many of the early musicals and I think in this role, he oozes his charisma. One drawback is the dance scenes get a little long-winded, but if you can get through those, you're in the clear.

"LIVING IN A BIG WAY"- - - A "must-see" Movie, you'll love it ! ! !

[rhill-19 · 10/10 · 23 January 2007]

I absolutely fell in love with "Living in A Big Way" when I first saw it! Reason #1 is because I LOVE, ADORE, and am a HUGE fan of GENE KELLY. He was such a wonderful dancer, actor, and choreographer. Not to mention his extremely handsome looks and his sensual personality. I love his role in this movie. He was such a gentleman. This movie showcased his wonderful talent for acting. I enjoyed Marie MacDonald as well. It was my first time of ever seeing or knowing anything about her, and this excellent movie made me a fan of her's as well. Actually, the whole cast in this movie was enjoyable and great. The humor between the butler,"Everette Hanover Smythe", and the father, Mr. Morgan; Mrs. Morgan's courtroom humor, and especially grandmother Morgan's immediate attachment to, and concern for "LEO GOGARTY." And GENE'S number "FIDO AND ME" is adorable. The opening dance number with GENE and MARIE is very nice too. I would recommend that anyone see this movie. It will truly remain dear to your heart forever. Or at least it has to mine. And you'll fall in love with GENE all over again. I rate it my #2 favorite GENE KELLY MOVIE, and I've seen and own a quite many of his movies. They're a part of my daily routine! So trust me when I tell you, you'll love this movie! Watch it and enjoy!!

A woman isn't responsible for her natural gifts but she is responsible for the ways she uses them

[jamesjustice-92 · 10/10 · 9 March 2022]

I'd like to start the review with a quote from this old classic movie masterpiece, "Living in a big way". It is charming in so many ways actually.

It wasn't a big hit back in the days, in fact it was considered a flop and was long forgotten... right until now that I'd found it! The main star of the movie is "King of dance" himself, one and only Mr Gene Kelly. His charisma, his natural sense of humor and an incredibly great talent of a choreographer will make any movie a masterpiece.

This movie has touched me in a big way: so many people nowadays have completely forgotten what responsibilities are, they have learned to avoid them. But we should and we will take them if we want to get the life we want.

I will rewatch this movie not once because even after seventy five years it still looks new, fresh and full of ideas. That's why I love classics.