The Belle of New York (1952) User Reviews (32)

Some Good Dancing but a Weak Story

[wglenn · 6/10 · 14 March 2006]

It's a shame that someone couldn't have written a better screenplay for the Belle of New York, because there are some wonderful elements in this film. Fred Astaire and Vera-Ellen made a great team. A seductive, charming and talented dancer, Vera-Ellen's graceful yet physical style was a good match for Astaire's smooth elegance. As it is, we only get to see them dance together a few times in the Belle of New York, and most of the time Vera-Ellen is bound up in an unflattering Salvation Army-type uniform. But, hey, it's something. And they do have several good solo turns. Astaire dances on top of the Arch in Washington Square in New York City (or Hollywood's version of New York circa 1900), which is kind of fun. Vera-Ellen does a great job in "Naughty But Nice," finally shedding her austere clothes for a colorful and sexy French Can-Can outfit. And Astaire also sings and dances to what could have been his signature tune, Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer's "I Wanna Be a Dancin' Man."

Alice Pearce provides some much-needed comic relief in a secondary role, and Keenan Wynn and Marjorie Main do their best, but they're pretty much defeated by the weak writing and the undeveloped and uninteresting story. The score by Warren and Mercer is mostly strong. And, as always, Fred's sheer talent, joy and artistry make up for a lot. If you want to see Fred dance on a horse's back (or the Hollywood version of a horse's back) this is your film. But you'll have to get through some pretty campy and technically suspect special effects that show people "dancing on air." For the general viewer, I'd recommend about 20 other Astaire musicals before this one. The Belle of New York is mostly for serious Fred fans, Vera-Ellen fans or those who are in the mood for an inoffensive Technicolor musical about ye olde New-York.

Loved the dancing, music and cast, wasn't so taken with the script and story

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 22 June 2011]

Not necessarily a bad film, in fact it is quite pleasant, but it is not really one that sticks long in the memory for me. The script is weak mostly with nothing really sticking out, while the story is both forgettable and underdeveloped. The film is too short I feel too and some scenes in the middle feel a little unfocused in the pace.

On the other hand, there is much to like. I liked the look of the film, it wasn't anything spectacular, but the sets, lighting and costumes are very nice and the photography is crisp enough. The songs and score are great, as is the dancing. Then there are Fred Astaire and Vera Ellen, despite the script and story they give it their all making their characters likable and they sing and dance a dream.

Overall, not anything to rave about but a nice enough diversion. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Fred Astairs proves himself to be the embodiment of grace, style, rhythm and entertainment in "I wanna be a dancing man" . Say whatever else you want to about the movie.

[Toast57 · 7/10 · 31 August 2007]

This was not the best movie ever made. If it were much longer than 82 minutes it might have been much less interesting. But it was entertaining and amusing at that length. I also think that Fred Astaire proves once again that the seemingly effortless grace and style and rhythm and yes, even charm, that he displays in "I wanna be a dancing man" places him in the very top echelon of modern day dancers. Bojangles. Fred Astaire. Bob Fosse. And perhaps a dancer who has not yet been discovered. For 82 minutes of inconsequential entertainment you could do much worse than this. And did anyone else notice that the effects presage Mary Poppins some ten years later? I love to laugh.....lol...

Watchable Just For The Dancing Skill Of Fred Astaire & Vera-Ellen.

[Hotwok2013 · 3 October 2016]

Nobody could truthfully say that "The Belle Of New York" is a great movie but it does showcase the dancing talents of Fred Astaire & Vera-Ellen which, for me at least, makes it worth watching. Astaire was the greatest Hollywood dancer of all with the only possible exception of Gene Kelly. Lovely Vera-Ellen was not only one of Hollywood's best female dancers but had a pair of the most gorgeous gams I have ever seen. Astaire is always great to watch & Vera-Ellen does a very sexy dance to a song entitled "Naughty But Nice". She is dressed in a kind of black chiffon can-can dancers outfit & looks fabulous in it. Squeaky-voiced comedienne Alice Pearce also makes an appearance in this movie & a very funny lady she was but, sadly, died fairly young. All in all this movie is pretty good & fairly entertaining.

Not a gem but the dancing is great

[theoctobercountry · 6/10 · 22 January 2017]

As I've noted previously, I'm a tremendous old-movie buff. Unfortunately, not all the A-list films from Hollywood's golden age are in fact all that golden...

Case in point: "The Belle of New York" (1952). This is widely considered to be one of Fred Astaire's worst films, and I'm afraid I have to agree. Difficult to see how things went so wrong, when all the right ingredients were in place. In this instance, the typical MGM magic missed the mark.

The film is just so, well, uninspired from beginning to end. There's only the faintest whisper of a plot, with none of the characters seeming the least bit grounded in the admittedly loose reality of the world of musicals---none of the emotions portrayed seem real or carry any weight. Plus, there's a definite problem with the music---the songs are pleasant enough but instantly and utterly forgettable. I couldn't remember any of these tunes mere moments after they had ended.

The thing is, the film contains many elements that should have made it so much better; in theory, there's a lot to like about this picture. While the songs aren't so great, the dancing is splendid. Here you have Vera-Ellen and Fred Astaire partnered---they were two of the very best dancers of Hollywood's golden age, and it's a pleasure to watch them work their magic. The supporting cast is amusing---Marjorie Maine is always a force to be reckoned with. And Alice Pearce just cracks me up- --I have a great fondness for this actress (twelve years after this film she would play Gladys Kravitz in the television series "Bewitched"). And of course visually the film is a treat, with lovely costumes and vivid Technicolor. But overall---the whole thing still remains rather tiresome and a disappointment in many respects. For old film buffs only.

I've noted that Vera-Ellen was a great dancer, but that doesn't begin to cover it---she was an astoundingly good dancer; one of the best that ever worked at the studio. And on top of that she was quite attractive; she looks absolutely lovely in this film. But somehow stardom eluded her... I think she lacked that indefinable spark, that special charisma, that the great stars had. While she performs well enough in this picture, the viewer is never really drawn to the character; there's something missing in her acting, in the way her personality comes across, it seems to me.... While best remembered for her role in 1954's "White Christmas," Vera-Ellen continued to work in films until 1957, when she gave it all up. She had made fourteen films over the course of twelve years, but after that she never returned to the screen.

Fred Astaire and Vera-Ellen Sing and Dance

[atlasmb · 7/10 · 11 May 2016]

Vera-Ellen plays Angela Bonfils, a straight laced young woman who helps run a welfare house for the Daughters of Right, a group committed to saving souls. She meets worldly ladies' man Charlie Hill (Fred Astaire) and the chemistry is immediate--for him. But it doesn't take long for Angela to come around.

If this kind of setup sounds familiar, it would be explored again only three year's later with Sarah Brown and Sky Masterson(in "Guys and Dolls") and ten years later with Marian the librarian and Professor Howard Hill (in "The Music Man").

This Technicolor musical is saddled with a story that really doesn't involve much else. However, most of the dancing and some of the singing is a joy. Some of the dancing seems derived from prior Astaire choreography, but it's classy. Those who appreciate the charms of Vera-Ellen will enjoy her "Naughty But Nice" number, which features a stunning costume and reminds me of Cyd Charise's style.

Worth mentioning are Marjorie Main, who plays the matronly member of the DOR, and Alice Pearce, who plays Elsie Wilkins, the ditzy member of the troupe, with charm and a comedic flair.

This film does not belong among the best musicals of its time, but it contains entertaining elements worth watching.

Fred dances on air!

[HotToastyRag · 6/10 · 27 April 2023]

As was the case in many of his films, Fred often wanted to come up with innovative ideas to incorporate filmmaking with dancing. He danced on the ceiling, in slow motion while his back-up dancers moved at normal speed, and also while flying - the latter you can see in The Belle of New York. After falling in love with the beautiful and pure Vera-Ellen, he feels so happy he literally walks (and dances) on air.

The plot of The Belle of New York is very cute, and it seems like a great audition piece for Fred to play in Guys and Dolls (imagine him and Gene Kelly in the leads!) Fred is a gambling, partying playboy who falls in love with a "mission doll" and has to reform. It's a different time period, though, and no one talks like gangsters - but still, it would have been adorable. Set at the turn of the century, you'll get to see tons of gorgeous costumes by Helen Rose and Giles Steele. Old fashioned charm is featured in every scene, helping us overlook the somewhat corny dialogue. I really like Vera-Ellen and appreciate the immense talent she brought to the screen. Maybe the songs could have been a little stronger, but then again, some of the songs Fred sang with Ginger Rogers weren't winners either. This one's definitely worth watching to see two great talents combined. And if you want to see Fred living it up as a ladies' man, it's very cute.

good! but did it have to be a musical??

[ksf-2 · 7/10 · 3 June 2023]

Check out that fun cast! Dancers fred astair and vera ellen. The awesome marjorie main (ma kettle, the women), the rough tough keenan wynn, and alice pearce (abner, abner there's somethin' funny going on over there!). Unfortunately, it's a musical. Mister bigshot playboy charlie hill falls for angela, a prim and proper mission house worker in the bowery, which was the rough part of nyc. Charlie will need to clean up his act if he can pass muster with her. And even for his own aunt lily, who doesn't approve of his fast and loose style. A fun currier and ives calendar bit, where they pull down various life size prints on pulleys. That must have been a huge hit back in the day. So many double entendres, slightly dirty jokes, in spite of angela's squeaky clean image. In luscious, mgm technicolor. It's pretty good, if you can stand all the repetitive song and dance numbers. I would have preferred more dialogue from all those great names in the cast, but it's good! Directed by charles walters... was nominated for "lili". This appears to have been a successful broadway show, with runs in 1897, 1900, and 1921. And fragments of the silent film from 1919 survive, with marion davies.

A sub-par Astaire flick

[planktonrules · 5/10 · 29 January 2013]

Fred Astaire plays a playboy (an odd job of casting there) and he becomes infatuated with a lady (Vera-Ellen) working in a mission in New York City. So, to impress her, he tries to give up his playboy ways and get an honest job. Can he win her or is he simply out of his league? Despite being filmed in beautiful Technicolor, this is an amazingly sub-par film for Fred Astaire. Despite a lot of songs and dance numbers, none of them stand out--particularly the songs. And, to make matters worse, there really isn't a lot of plot or chemistry in this film. It's a shame, as I adore Astaire films--but this one left me very, very flat. It also didn't help that the film used the traveling matte technique to make people appear to fly. The technique seemed crude and very fake. I'd rather they spent their money writing some better songs than coming up with silly special effects. The only reason the film earns a 5 is that a bad Astaire film STILL is a pretty decent film!

floating in love

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 23 July 2023]

It's the turn of the century New York City. Every men is in love with Angela (Vera-Ellen). She is a committed do-gooder, but she is just too beautiful and distracting to lead the Christian charity band. Then there is rich playboy Charlie Hill (Fred Astaire). He gets all the showgirls to fall for him, but he keeps skipping out on them before the wedding. His benefactor, Aunt Lettie (Marjorie Main), is tired of writing checks to showgirls. One night, he is overwhelmed by Angela singing in the park with the band.

The meet-cute is basically him being bowled over by her presence. It's not the most inventive or funny. It could be better, but it does lead to him floating on air. Now, I want him to get in a harness and get pulled by a wire. I don't really want him in a green screen shot. Nevertheless, it is still Fred Astaire and he is the master of dancing in his environment. I do wonder when green screen was invented. A 1952 audience must be used to it by then. I imagine that it would be infinitely superior to have him dance in fake-heights like a Harold Lloyd stunt. It is still a fun idea and a great theme. I just don't want to see the seams in the green screen.

Fred Astaire and Vera-Ellen are great impeccable dance partners. I'm not in love with any of the songs, but they always bring all the details to their dance steps. I get a sense that the Charlie Hill character is supposed to be younger or else there would be no reason for Aunt Lettie. It would work just as well for a fifty something Fred Astaire. Just get rid of Lettie. This was a box office bomb. I don't know why exactly. Maybe the times were changing. People can get tired of the same diet.

Absolute dreck!

[semi-buff · 2/10 · 19 October 2003]

Considering the prodigious talent involved, possibly the worst musical of all time. This embarrassing mess underscores the importance of good writing in places where we might not think about its relevance, such as a musical. Plus the choreography is boring and the songs are awful. I thought it was going to be redeemed by the homely girl getting a guy, but noooo. The costumes were nice, but otherwise a complete waste of a wonderful cast!

Dancin' Man

[marcslope · 8/10 · 5 March 2001]

Fred Astaire wrote in his autobiography that he was personally hurt by the critical and box-office failure of this Freed Unit musical, adapted very loosely from a turn-of-the-century stage success. You can see why audiences rejected it, but you can also see he was right to be proud. The story is trite even for a musical, and nothing can liven up the dead space between numbers -- not Marjorie Main playing to the gallery, not Alice Pearce frumping about predictably, and most certainly not the central conceit of the central romance, which is that love makes our young sweethearts (the script keeps referring to Astaire as "young man," which he plainly is not at this point) literally walk, and dance, on air.

The gimmickry gets in the way of a couple of numbers, too: Astaire and Ellen dance on a hapless horse's back, and Astaire cavorts atop the Washington Square arch. Still, the Warren-Mercer score, though it contains no hits, is tuneful, clever, and well suited to the meager plot; the MGM Orchestra is irresistibly lush; and the Technicolor gorgeously shows off the handsome production. In short, the film may be a triumph of studio engineering over inspiration, but as long as the stars are dancing, it's a delight.

Vera-Ellen partners Astaire charmingly, even if she's not the world's most dynamic actress, and she has a fun solo, "Naughy But Nice." As for Astaire, he's his usual self, and we'd want it no other way. His best number is the one least dependent on special effects, "I Wanna Be a Dancin' Man." "Gonna leave my footsteps on the sands of time," he sings. You surely did, Mr. A.

Not up to par

[ryancm · 3/10 · 13 September 2007]

Not one of Freds best, although there are moments of entertainment if you skip the plot. The dancing is, as always, in a Fred Astaire film, the highlight. The songs are not memorable except his signature I WANT TO BE A DANCIN MAN. Vera Ellen makes a great partner and their numbers together are worth watching. Wish the plot were more plausible. The Marjorie Main character knows and helps the Vera Ellen character at a shelter, but her nephew, Astaire, doesn't know about it? The DVD transfer is marvelous, the costumes exceptional and the dancing wonderful, so it does deserve at least 3 stars for that. They could have omitted the "dancing in the air" bit. That brought the movie way down. I know it's fantasy, but please!!

The thing called love

[Petey-10 · 16 December 1999]

The Belle of New York is a romantic musical comedy about a rich playboy Charlie Hill, played by the legendary Fred Astaire, who very much falls in love with a girl called Angela Bonfils (Vera Ellen) and he does everything to get this girl to himself. No time and they're getting married.Fred Astaire was a great performer.He could sing, he could dance, he could jump to the sky and fly.In this movie love really makes him fly in the air. The Belle of New York is a nice musical.

Almost the Worst Fred Astaire Musical

[liscarkat · 2/10 · 4 August 2007]

You have the number-one musical-producing studio and number-one musical star of all time, a worthy partner, a supporting cast of terrific character actors, a pair of great songwriters, top pros writing and directing, and yet the result of their collaboration is this lifeless waste of an hour and a half. This is Astaire's second-to-worst movie, better only than the dreadful "Yolanda and the Thief". The plot is uninteresting, and Fred's character is perhaps, this time, just a bit too much of a wastrel to be sympathetic. The special effects of the main couple floating and dancing in the air are too silly to watch without a little embarrassment, and the comedy gags don't work. One protracted dance number bringing to life the paintings of Courier and Ives (the Thomas Kinkades of the 19th century) goes on so long you almost forget what the movie was about. "The Belle of New York" is a genuine flop, without one memorable musical number, and no redeeming attribute other than Vera-Ellen's legs, which are finally shown off near the end.

Lacks something

[holdencopywriting · 3/10 · 10 December 2009]

Supporting players Marjorie Main, Alice Pierce and Keenan Wynn do their best, but the script is no help to them. I've heard Vera-Ellen described as a wonderful dancer, but she seems frozen and mechanical here. It would be nice if she changed the expression on her face once or twice during a movie. Vera-Ellen angry, Vera-Ellen concerned, Vera-Ellen in love...same difference. There are too many songs (or is it that they're such lame, forgettable songs?). The only reason to see this film is near the end when Astaire, in a white suit with trousers slightly too short in order to show off colored socks, dances on a sandy stage to "A Dancin' Man." That's worth the rental of the DVD right there.

Also, the DVD I watched had a clip of a discarded version of "Dancin' Man." It was interesting to see this much inferior take.

Sweet, charming and light

[mmyy · 8/10 · 26 January 2009]

The Belle of New York is not one of Fred Astaire's best movies but it is nowhere near his worst. Everything about the movie is sweet, charming and light. Vera Ellen is one of the best dancers in Hollywood and a great partner for Fred. The color is beautiful. The sets and the costumes are fantastic, and while it is true it is not one of the strongest stories, there are some good laughs along the way. The music is charming. The dancing is excellent. And the movie just glides along, mostly due to the very plentiful musical numbers. If you want some dramatic tension, look elsewhere. This movie has none. If you like musicals, if you like good dancing, in particular if you like Vera Ellen, this movie is a must see. The quality of the DVD release is excellent.

It Worked Better In Guys And Dolls.

[bkoganbing · 5/10 · 15 July 2010]

Arthur Freed reached way back into the last decade of the last century for this film. The Belle Of New York was a musical back then making its Broadway debut in 1897, but you'll hear nary a note from that score. Freed was wise enough to use some more modern composers mostly Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer as the writers for the songs that Fred Astaire and Vera-Ellen sang and danced to.

Apparently Freed also had been considering this for Fred Astaire since Astaire got free from his original studio contract at RKO. But when he finally got around to making this film, Astaire was 53 years old and looked it. Just a little bit ridiculous to be playing a young playboy of the Gay Nineties.

Fred's a playboy who won't settle down to the consternation of his rich aunt Marjorie Main who supports him. He's had to pay off several fiancés, but when he meets of all people, Salvation Army worker Vera-Ellen it just might be the real thing. Well that plot certainly worked before, but a whole lot better in the modern Guys And Dolls.

I can't fault Fred's dancing though it's the best part of The Belle Of New York. And his best number by far is the Currier&Ives vignette. It's a long number, almost like Gene Kelly's American In Paris ballet of the same film.

The Belle Of New York might have worked better and been more believable had Fred done this back in 1940 or thereabouts.

Since when didn't Kelly want to make EASTER PARADE?

[pnealjones · 23 July 2009]

Although I have no quarrel with Joseph's mostly astute comments about THE BELLE OF NEW YORK, I must question his assertion that Gene Kelly never wanted to do EASTER PARADE and faked an injury to get out of it. Can Joseph cite a source for this assertion? There are many sources that cite Kelly's injury as a real one. (As a contract player, how could he have faked it, anyway?) The only controversy at the time was that Kelly told MGM he'd hurt his foot during rehearsals, when in reality he'd broken it at his home playing one of his fiercely competitive games of football. Judy Garland -- Irving Berlin -- Arthur Freed producing -- why wouldn't Kelly have wanted to get in on such a project? It had "hit" written all over it, and of course that's exactly what it turned out to be when it was finally released with Astaire in Kelly's role.

-- Preston Neal Jones

Almost painful to watch

[mountainkath · 4/10 · 30 December 2008]

I love classic movies. I love musicals. I love Fred Astaire.

That said, this movie was a huge disappointment. The plot was ridiculous (even for a musical) and the only saving grace was most of the dances that Fred Astaire and Vera-Ellen danced together. If this movie was just a movie (and not a musical), I wouldn't have made it past the first 20 minutes.

I absolutely loved most of Fred and Vera-Ellen's dances, especially "Oops". That dance was simply wonderful and I ended up watching it three times.

I'm not opposed to a bit of fantasy in movies (I adore the 18 minute ballet in An American In Paris, for example), but the 'dancing on air' bit in this movie was just jaw dropping-ly awful. It was a silly gimmick and it was worse every time they utilized it.

On a positive note: I thoroughly enjoyed all of the performances by Fred, Vera-Ellen, Marjorie Main, Keenan Wynn and Alice Pierce. They had a poor script to work with, but they did a wonderful job.

The other positive aspect of this movie was the costumes. All of Vera-Ellen's gowns were stunning. I especially loved the dusty blue number in "Oops".

I am happy I saw this movie. I just don't intend to see it again.

overage romeo chasing an unsuitable partner in late 19th cent NY

[michael-stewart5 · 2/10 · 29 April 2007]

Almost unwatchable. Can't understand why anyone would want to waste such talent as Astaire and Ellen on such dross. Photography is good and acting and dancing up to the usual standards from both leads.

Although this is a musical and meant to be lighthearted, it is unfortunately totally beyond credibility with a silly story line and a banal script.

I feel that Vera Elen is not a suitable partner for Astaire. They don't gel in the same way as Astaire did with Ginger Rodgers or with Judy Garland in Easter Parade. This doesn't detract from the fact that Vera Ellen is in her own right a presentable and able performer, but not with Astaire.

Astaire Never Wanted To Make This Movie - But

[joseph952001 · 9/10 · 19 June 2006]

In Fred Astairs autobiography "Steps In Time" he admits that he had been avoiding making this film for years. He had retired from the movies, but came back to replace Gene Kelly in "Easter Parade" because, so the excuse goes, that he broke his ankle playing touch-football, but the fact was that Kelly just didn't want to do the film, so the broken ankle was just was it was - a ply to get out of making the movie! So, back on the M.G.M. lot, once again, Fred finally came to grips with the fact that he would have to, once and for all, make the film he was dreading to make, and if he had not come out of retirement, he would never have had the attempt making it.

So, what's wrong with Belle of New York? Acutually nothing. It was a fantasy and Astaire didn't feel to good about making a fantasy film. He admits in his autobiography that he believed that the film would play very well today. It was just the wrong timing, and here we go with the films that flop, like a bottle of wine, age with time and finally become the hit they should have in their initial release.

But, there are good songs and dance numbers. Once again, Anita Ellis ghost sings for Vera Ellen in "Naughty Butg Nice". Majorie Main is, well, Marjorie Main, but the dancing in the air over the city is a little much even for Fred Astair and at the end when he and Vera Ellen finally fall in love and dance over the city in the air, Astaire stated that he knew where they stood with this one when he and Vera Ellen are dancing in the air at the end and some woman watching the end said in earshot of Astaire, "Well, how silly can you get!" And Astaire said, "We then knew where we stood with this one!" But, he also said that even if the movie is a flop or not, at least you get paid, and how much did he admit to, "Once again, for making the film, I got a fortune!" It one of the That's Entertainment movies, Debbie Reynolds had us see how much of a perfectionist Astaire was by screening the different versions of "I Wanna Be A Dancin' Man" side by side, and in another That's Entertainment movie, Gene Kelly asked Fred Astaire, "Is it true that you once said that all you wanted to do was be a dancin' man, and Astaire said, "That's not true at all! I never said that!" And immediately, they played the number from "The Belle of New York"! But, Fred was right about one thing, the movie DOES play very well today, and is very entertaining. Once again, it was just too far ahead of its time and needed to age like a good bottle of wine! Guess what? It aged beautifully!

About as dreary a musical that Fred Astaire ever made.

[standardmetal · 2/10 · 14 January 2009]

Fred was right; he should never have done this film.

I've never seen "Yolanda and the Thief" so I can't compare it but this has got to be one of his worst musicals. Fred and the rest of the cast is pretty much wasted though the "I Wanna be a Dancin' Man" number is indeed a classic and handily escapes the mediocrity of the rest. But you can see it without having to endure this turkey, most notably in "That's Entertainment III".

The cast has all appeared to better advantage elsewhere: Marjorie Main plays, surprise, surprise, a battle-ax and when she calls Fred "young man", you have to wonder what she's been drinking. (He was around 50 and looked it! In "Royal Wedding" which preceded it, at least he plays Jane Powell's brother, not love interest.) Alice Pearce plays the homely comedienne part to little avail even if she has a song ("Let a Little Love Come in") or two.

Vera Ellen, an accomplished dancer, has near-zero chemistry with Fred and his "falling in love" with her or, even worse, she with him, has only to do with the script. His floating and dancing on air therefore looks doubly ridiculous and doesn't come off at all.

Watch only if you must!

I love to watch the song and dance routines within a show, especially when they are good.

[jfarms1956 · 4/10 · 13 December 2013]

The Belle of New York may best be appreciated by baby boomers. Young children 4 to 9 years of age may also enjoy the movie. This is a good movie for grandparents to watch with their grandchildren to maybe show what good entertainment is to their grandchildren. I enjoy these shows within a show. I love to watch the song and dance routines within a show, especially when they are good. With Fred Astaire in the mix, the dance is always good. The songs are fairly good as well. This is an anytime movie when the family can get together and watch a nonviolent movie that is fun. The plots in these kind of movies are simple and predictable. So what. The movie provides light hearted entertainment. Grab the popcorn or bring the pizza. You will enjoy the movie.

Paper thin

[ronfernandezsf · 2/10 · 19 July 2020]

What plot there is is paper thin. There is a bit of dialogue between dance numbers which are superb..The script couldn't have been more than three pages. The movie could have been released just as a dance/music show without the stupid story. The only saving grace is the terrific dancing of Fred and Vera. Real standouts. AS usual Keenan Wynn has yet another thankless role, and Marjorie Main is doing her Ma Kettle. For great dancing , see this movie. Otherwise forget it.