That's Entertainment! (1974) User Reviews (53)

More Stars Than There Are In The Heavens

[gftbiloxi · 9/10 · 26 April 2005]

Musicals--that most surrealistic of motion picture genres--have fallen out of fashion over the past few decades... but at one time they dominated motion picture screens. MGM, a studio which boasted it had "More Stars Than There Are In The Heavens," was renowned for the musical talents it had under contract. And this clever compilation, with its various segments introduced by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Debbie Reynolds, Bing Crosby, and Mickey Rooney, offers an extraordinary collection of musical moments from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s--the golden age of the genre.

The compilation is very, very broad and includes performances by both the still-famous and once-famous, and gives us the opportunity to see some magical moments without having to wade through the entire genre or assess whether or not you actually want to sit through an obscure film in order to see one five minute musical moment. While it includes performances by the delicious Lena Horne (performing "Honeysuckle Rose" before a sophisticated set of drapery and mirrors), the brilliant Elenor Powell (with several offerings, the most memorable being "Begin the Begine" with Fred Astaire), and a host of others, most of the collection revolves around four MGM superstars: Gene Kelly, Esther Williams, Fred Astaire, and Judy Garland. The tribute to Esther Williams is particularly welcome, a marvelous array of some of the most beautiful and beautifully surreal scenes ever put to film; the tribute to Judy Garland, touchingly introduced and narrated by daughter Liza Minnelli, is also particularly well done.

But the real feast here is of musical oddities and rarities. In its search for musical talent, MGM put almost every star under contract through their musical paces--and the result is often truly bizarre. Among the most memorable of these is Joan Crawford, who believe it or not was considered a jazz dancer of some note during the 1920s, and here she (introduced by an emcee as "the personification of youth, beauty, joy, and happiness) sings and then athletically stops through "Got A Feeling For You." Robert Montgomery looks awkward trying his hand at light opera; Jimmy Stewart sings pleasantly but unspectacularly; Jean Harlow belts out "Reckless;" and Clark Gable gives a remarkably charming throw-away performance of "Puttin' On The Ritz." It is all tremendous fun.

Of further interest is the fact that most of the narrators have filmed their scenes on the MGM backlot--which was on the verge of demolition when this compilation was made in 1974. It's fading glory is touching, nostalgic, and offers a final glimpse of what was the world's greatest film studio before it entered its final decline. A drawback to the compilation is that at the time it was made few if any of these films had been restored; some of the oldest film clips are in rather poor condition and the brilliance of Technicolor is somewhat reduced in certain scenes. But even with this problem, THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT is a feast of brilliant colors, costumes, spectacular dance numbers, and beautiful sounds, enough to delight any long-time musical fan and convert newcomers to the genre.

Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer

More stars than there are in heaven...

[gaityr · 8/10 · 22 January 2003]

There is nothing in this film--or more accurately, documentary--that doesn't do *exactly* what the title promises. It's hard for it to fail, really, considering the material it's working with. THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT! sets out to be a joyous celebration of everything that was fun and sparkly and happy-making in the MGM musical, with the added bonus of having the stars (the BEST, brightest, eternal ones) that were there themselves telling us all about it.

Well, it works. No two words about it. These clips of song-and-dance routines that will stay with us forever were made with one sole purpose--to entertain. And entertain they do. From 'Singin' In The Rain' through to 'Showboat', 'High Society', 'Seven Brides For Seven Brothers'... the film is a catalogue of the best and brightest of MGM musicals, and the stars. Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly deliver tributes to each other, Liza Minelli and Mickey Rooney talk about the magic that was Judy Garland, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds and Peter Lawford--with a lovely stint by Bing Crosby and a hilarious interlude by James Stewart--bring us through the decades singing and dancing. The clips picked were great, of course. How could you go wrong with segments dedicated to Astaire, Kelly and Garland? The clips were all perfect, with some rarer items popping up like Cary Grant singing 'Did I Remember?' and enough of the classic ones to make one feel like pulling out all the tapes and watching them through again.

There are a couple of things that keep me from giving this documentary top marks. Firstly, a general complaint that really isn't quite fair: seeing these clips just don't compare to watching them in their original films and the proper contexts. I hope that people who watch this film as an introduction to movie musicals actually go out and rent them afterwards, because there really isn't anything more brilliant than SINGIN' IN THE RAIN or ON THE TOWN. Secondly: it would have been much more engaging if the actors invited to speak on the programme hadn't so evidently been reading off pre-written scripts. Some fared better than others, with Taylor being the spaced-out worst, and Stewart acquitting himself admirably with his trademark drawl and charm. Astaire and Kelly are both still immeasurably attractive onscreen, but even they can't quite pull off the image of camaraderie the words they speak impart to their previous relationship. (Not to say that they were rivals--the opposite extreme isn't true either. They were simply professionals, and acquaintances.) It'd have been just that much more fun if these legends had been allowed to speak off the cuff.

All said, if you want to introduce someone to the magic that was the movie musical, there's really no need to go further than THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT!. It's a catalogue of stars and talent, song and dance, and extensive proof that we won't ever see the likes of all this again. More's the pity for those of us who weren't there when film history happened, all to the songs of Berlin and Gershwin and the toe-tapping of Astaire and Kelly...

Lots of Fun But with a Sadness Underneath

[utgard14 · 8/10 · 1 January 2014]

Extremely entertaining compilation film that looks back at classic MGM musicals. If I had any real complaint it would be the clips are mostly very short and it leaves you wanting to see more. Must have been even more frustrating in 1974 when that wasn't an option. It was nice seeing some of the (literally) old stars introduce the clips. It was especially nice to see the great MGM backlot one last time before it was torn down. But man, the sight of it in such disrepair made me kind of sad. The same sadness could be seen on the faces of some of the old stars as they walk around the lot, talking about how the old place doesn't look quite the same as when they made movies there. There's a wistful feeling throughout the film. Yes, it's a celebration of these great musicals but there's also this feeling of mourning for a bygone era.

Highlights from M-G-M musicals.

[E.Stahl · 25 July 2000]

This is a sentimental and enjoyable look back at the time when M-G-M was the premiere studio in Hollywood and had more stars than there are in the heaven. Famous musical numbers are presented by some of those legends including Fred Astaire, Elizabeth Taylor and Frank Sinatra. I just don't like the way they brag and flatter each other. Is it really necessary to tell the viewer how good they were? The audience should be able to judge for themselves. And the numbers are great, no doubt about it. Fred Astaire's tap dance with Eleanor Powell is awesome, Donald O'Connor's "Make'em laugh" is funny, Gene Kelly sings in the rain and Judy Garland sings over the rainbow. It's also fun to see dramatic actors like James Stewart, Clark Gable and Cary Grant sing and dance. That's entertainment! Rating: 4/5

A perfect tribute to the greatest musical talents we'll ever see!

[gerry-russell-139 · 10/10 · 30 June 2000]

I saw this movie occasionally on PBS when I was a kid and I bought the collector's edition of the entire series in '98 and each time I watch it I feel more and more nostalgic about the old Hollywood musicals-a genre of which we'll never see an equal. Gene Kelly, Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, Leslie Caron, Eleanor Powell and Ann Miller are the stars who really show off their great talents in this production of selected clips which include highlights of "Broadway Melody of 1938", "The Wizard of Oz", "Meet Me in St. Louis", "An American in Paris", "Singin' in the Rain", "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" and "High Society" among others. There's also a whole roster of legendary guest stars: Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Peter Lawford, James Stewart, Mickey Rooney, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby and even Liza Minelli just at the start of her career. They introduce some of the greatest moments in the history of the MGM Musical genre. It's great fun for anyone who loves the musicals of a gone-forever age.

The title says it all.

[Scaramouche2004 · 10/10 · 11 November 2006]

In 1974, to celebrate its 50th anniversary, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayor released That's Entertainment, a collection of clips from what are considered to be their greatest achievement in their long and illustrious history, the movie musical.

As co-presenter and M-G-M alumni Frank Sinatra mentions in the first segment of the picture, "When it came to musicals, M-G-M, they were the champions" This is far from just a hollow boast when you consider the wealth of unquestionable evidence which is then provided to substantiate his claim.

Sinatra shares the limelight with fellow M-G-M greats such as Elizabeth Taylor, Peter Lawford, James Stewart, Mickey Rooney, Gene Kelly, Donald O'Conner, Debbie Reynolds, Fred Astaire, Liza Minelli and a visiting dignitary from Paramount, Bing Crosby as they all present mini segments of the picture explaining just how and why M-G-M musicals had qualities their rivals could only ever dream of emulating.

James Stewart's segment is fascinating to watch as he presents some long forgotten clips of well known dramatic actors (including himself) who were press-ganged into musicals, some with surprisingly good results. Robert Taylor, Robert Montgomery, Cary Grant and Clark Gable are all put through their musical paces for our viewing pleasure, and what a pleasure to watch it is.

Mickey Rooney, follows up with a tribute to his close friend and frequent co-star Judy Garland and his tenure of the movie is crammed with clips from their many movies together including one or two Andy Hardy gems. This tribute to Garland is later fortified by her daughter Liza Minnelli as she offers her own personal and moving tribute.

In my opinion however the highlight of the movies has to be Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire, who in effect, do a mutual 'back scratch' as each fill their own segments with statements and clips which modestly declare the other dancer the 'best in the business' Whether or not this was a reflection of their own true feeling's or just Hollywood cheesing it up is immaterial. It does nothing to detract from the pure genius both dancers poured onto the screen throughout their careers only a sample of which are presented to us here.

Bing Crosby who spent most of M-G-M's golden age across the street at Paramount, all but rounds off the movie with various clips including a couple from his only two movies in the M-G-M's musical back catalogue before he hands the reins back to Sinatra for the final epilogue.

These clips represent an era long since passed and it is indeed touching to see these screen giants of yesteryear gather together for the last time in what amounts to their final roar. This is made even more touching by the fact that so many of them have since passed on.

We are indeed lucky to have their testament left behind on film, so that future generations like my own children who were born long after these gifted and talented performers had either died or retired, can look upon and aspire to their genius.

Whether it is in black and white or colour, whether you're 8 or 80 you will find these clips as entertaining and as fresh today as they must have seemed at the time.

Never has the title to a film been more appropriate and what's more you would be hard pushed to find anyone who would dispute it.

Gotta Dance-Gotta Sing

[MarkJGarcia · 9/10 · 9 January 2010]

This is a great documentary that takes viewers back to a time when the musical was popular in cinema. With different hosts in the film you get a chance to go back in time and look at Hollywood's Gold Age and the stars that made some of the most highly regarded films ever. They don't make them like this anymore thats for sure. There is one part in the film where Frank Sinatra is talking about the dance performances of yester-year and he says you can wait forever but you will never see performances ever again like these, and with that the film cuts to a dance routine by Fred Astaire that has to be one of the greatest dance routines I've ever seen. When you think of all the planning that went into these routines it is just mind-boggling. The steps we see in this film seem to be so perfectly choreographed. An amazing film about an amazing time in Hollywood history.

I could watch it over and over again. Brilliant! Wish it was in DVD

[farrows · 9/10 · 2 May 2003]

I could watch it over and over again. Brilliant! Wish it was in DVD. The music is timeless, the dancing unforgettable and will never again be seen at that level on screen, I'm sure.Busby Berkeley's choreography is beyond compare. I did not agree, however, with Sinatra's opinion that the dance from American in Paris was the greatest ever. Several Fred Astaire dance numbers were far superior. Nobody has ever come close to Fred and Ginger as a team.

That's Entertainment!

[MartinTeller · 7/10 · 3 January 2012]

Musicals are a relatively weak area for me. I've seen a bunch of the big ones, but certainly not all of them. Furthermore, my track record is very hit or miss, with a few that blew me away but a number I didn't like nearly as much as most people seem to. So I thought this tribute to MGM (the reigning studio of the genre) musicals would be a good way to sample some titles for possible future consumption. There were many that didn't appeal to me, but I did manage to put together a decent watchlist... made more difficult because many of the films, annoyingly, weren't identified. So now I look forward to checking out: Broadway Melody of 1940, Thousands Cheer, Good News, Two Weeks With Love, Zeigfeld Follies, The Barkleys of Broadway, Royal Wedding, Million Dollar Mermaid, and Summer Stock.

I don't know if I can comment much on the merits of the film itself, since I was using it mainly as research. The idea of experiencing a slew of highlights sounds good in theory, but doesn't entirely work in practice. Of course it's fun when you're enjoying the numbers, but although it has the benefit of whetting your appetite for those films, it also makes you wish you were watching them instead. There's a cringe-worthy Twiggy-era comment about "slightly overweight chorus girls" and Liz Taylor looks stoned out of her gourd. But it's an enjoyable overview and there's a candid willingness to discuss their failures.

Lots To Like In Two Hours Of MGM Highlights

[ccthemovieman-1 · 8/10 · 25 August 2006]

This got big notice when it came out in the mid '70s. With the advent of VHS, you could provide the public with something like this: a collection of great song-and- dance scenes from classic films. In this edition (there were two more to come), we see highlights of MGM musicals from the 1920s through the 1960s. Most of them were the '30s through the '50s.

MGM had many of the musical stars but not all, so you don't get Shirley Temple, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Julie Andrews and others. However, you do get a ton of great performers like Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Mickey Rooney, Esther Williams and others. To use a cliché, this is a must-have for music fans. In addition to the above stars, who are remembered in some of their best scenes, you have the incredible sets of the Busby Berkeley movies.

At over two hours, there is a lot of great material in here.

Non-review, sort of.

[Spuzzlightyear · 7/10 · 28 January 2006]

I am not too sure how one could review a film like 'That's Entertainment, but I'll try. This is a collection of scenes from famous MGM musicals. This looked to be almost the final kick the sand-in-the-face for MGM, for as soon as Liza, Frank, Gene and company finished up their scenes, BOOM! Down came all the backlots to make way for apartments! Anyways, to the movies. It's really hard to say, 'Oh this is missing, and what about that movie?" because I wonder if those scenes were covered in TE 2 and TE3. But OK, the stuff that IS there, is great. I wasn't really blown away from anything, as I am catching up on all my movies that are shown here, but I am not REALLY looking forward to seeing any Esther Williams musicals, and I REALLY need to see High Society. Finally. Best musical scene from a MGM musical? Poo poo on the final ballet number in American In Paris! Give me Gene Kelly stomping in rain puddles any day!

That's Great Entertainment

[Incalculacable · 10/10 · 5 February 2006]

I got this for Christmas and I didn't really want it at all. But boy was I glad my parents bought it! I loved seeing the footage of magnificent musicals, some of which I had never seen before. It definitely opened my eyes to some great musicals I had never seen before!! I loved seeing all the classic stars present (especially Jimmy Stewart!). I can watch this over and over again and never tire of seeing the classic musicals of an era gone. It's a pity we will never capture the glamour of those years. I learnt about new musicals and the wonderful Eleanor Powell. It helped me increase my classic knowledge! Great fun for the whole family. One of my favourite movies.

MGM Salutes Itself

[Lechuguilla · 7/10 · 20 January 2013]

Clips of MGM's musical films from the 1920s through the 1960s, together with commentary by Hollywood stars, provide a reasonably good overview of that studio's contribution to the genre. Stars include Fed Astaire, Gene Kelly, Liza Minnelli, Mickey Rooney, and others. The film begins with a written statement: "Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer produced a series of musical films whose success and artistic merit remain unsurpassed in motion picture history." That is thoroughly debatable. But the film is not about debate or objectivity but praise for the studio's efforts; viewers are expected to agree.

"Musicals were fantasy trips for the audiences of their day", intones Frank Sinatra, the first commentator, clearly reading from cue cards. What he really thought is unknown. Most of the musicals from that era were gaudy, extravagant, flamboyant, garish, and escapist. But they did have talent. Jeanette MacDonald's singing, Fred Astaire's dancing, Esther William's swimming, Ann Miller's tap dancing are examples of terrific skill and showmanship, so much so that, by comparison, today's "stars" seem hardly more than opportunistic talking heads.

It's not all self-promotion. Viewers get a taste for some notable flops, like when Joan Crawford "tries" to dance; she was wise to stick to dramatic acting. Then there are all those silent film stars whose later efforts didn't work out too well, as technology transitioned to talkies.

Probably my favorite segment is a big dinner at which actors sit at rows of tables. As the camera pans down the long rows, some familiar faces include: Ava Gardner, Spencer Tracy, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Young, Angela Lansbury, Red Skelton, Walter Pidgeon. But other faces were not at all familiar to me; wish the director had inserted everyone's name as the camera passed by.

My main complaint is the studio's canned script, gushing over its accomplishments. Still, the film offers a good historical perspective of the musical film genre. And to see all those talented people, very few of whom are still with us, is great fun.

Nostalgic grab-bag...not very useful today

[moonspinner55 · 5/10 · 20 November 2010]

America was so high on nostalgia in the early 1970s that Roaring Twenties dances were being taught at Arthur Murray and even a remake of "The Great Gatsby" was pulling in viewers. MGM, on the verge of financial ruin (and about to liquidate its assets), finally found a way to turn a profit very cheaply: edit together sequences from their library of hit musicals into one splashy package. Lesser-known clips are dropped in to keep things curious, but most of the footage here includes musical centerpieces from classic films that many viewers in 1974 had only seen on the late show. Despite an editing job that is so smoothly-efficient it's practically lethargic, "That's Entertainment!" quickly became a movie-encyclopedia for film buffs interested in plumbing the past, although it isn't very useful today (what with cable channels like Turner Classic Movies showing these pictures in their entirety). Star-narrators turn up to put their own histories into perspective, but most of them look dazed or tired--especially Elizabeth Taylor (filmed through layers of gauze), Frank Sinatra (squinting in the sunlight), and Fred Astaire (who was actually on the verge of a career comeback at this time). Some enjoyment and razzle-dazzle, especially in the Esther Williams montage, but pointless to anyone who craves the satisfaction of creative output. Followed by two wan sequels in 1976 and 1994, and a second-cousin, "That's Dancing!", in 1985. ** from ****

MGM Musical Lovers Shangri-la

[Schlockmeister · 27 August 2000]

This is it! This is the Holy grail of musical documentaries, the very definition of the term "They don't make 'em like this anymore.." everyone is here and in the subsequent 2 sequels. Oh, to see this in a movie theatre! 20 foot tall Gene Kelly performing "Singing In The Rain"! Busby Berkeley as his extravanganzas were meant to be seen! Definately worth watching even of you see it on video! A time capsule, a treasure. (sigh... Hollywood...)

"As timeless as the day you and I first saw it"

[ackstasis · 8/10 · 30 May 2008]

How times change! Just last year, I declared with complete resolution the utter pointlessness of the movie musical. I considered myself immune to the charms of the genre, lest I have to admit to my friends that my weekend involved watching two skilled performers dancing across a stage. 'Singin' in the Rain (1952)' was the first picture to chip away at my cocoon of ignorance, and the farcical comedic trappings of 'Top Hat (1935)' sealed the deal. It was only then that I rediscovered the delights of childhood favourites 'Mary Poppins (1964)' and 'Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971),' and I've since enjoyed the glamour and spectacle of three more Astaire/Rogers pairings, George Cukor's 'My Fair Lady (1964)' and the unspectacular but solid 'An American in Paris (1951)' and 'High Society (1956).' Throughout the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, one studio stood above all others when it came to producing musicals, and, even today, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) continues to be identified with the glossy Technicolor masterpieces remembered so fondly by film-goers.

'That's Entertainment! (1974)' is the first in a trilogy of documentaries tracing the history of MGM as a producer of musicals, telling the story through the compilation of classic musical numbers. What might have been a simple, inconsequential clip-show is offered a vital touch of class through the participation of some of cinema's most beloved stars, including Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Mickey Rooney, Jimmy Stewart, Bing Crosby, Peter Lawford, Elizabeth Taylor, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Liza Minnelli (representing her mother, Judy Garland, who prematurely passed away in 1969), and also some guy named Frank Sinatra. As temporary co-host, each performer offers a carefully-scripted running commentary on the sequences being shown to us, on occasion tossing in details of their own experience. Particularly fascinating is a clip of the 1936 musical 'Born to Dance,' in which Jimmy Stewart demonstrates, for the first and only time, what happens when he is forced into performing a musical number – but at least it's not quite as embarrassing as Clarke Gable's cheesy rendition of "Puttin' on the Ritz!"

The most memorable feature of this documentary is how it includes not only the classic musical moments that we all remember, but also a variety of selections that were, as a newcomer, completely unknown to me. I've already developed a list of movie moments that I must experience in their unabridged versions, including Gene Kelly's duet with Jerry Mouse in 'Anchors Aweigh (1945)' and Fred Astaire's mind-boggling waltz across the ceiling in 'Royal Wedding (1951),' which employed a rotating set that inspired a similar sequence in Stanley Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey (1968).' The actors' introductions, filmed on the soon-to-be-demolished MGM back-lots, are informative and entertaining, though it's rather saddening to see their weathered faces and to know that their glory days were, even then, lost in the past. But perhaps "lost" is the wrong word, because each of these magical musical moments linger in both our memories, and, even when these fail us, in the magnificence of celluloid. Entertainment doesn't get much better than this.

That's Entertainment Does Just That ***1/2

[edwagreen · 9/10 · 2 January 2010]

A rousing tribute by use of a compilation of great movies made by this fabulous studio over a 50 year period.

With a myriad of narrators, the film succeeds since at it said, "Boy, do we need this now." No, it wasn't the depression, but it was Watergate in full view as this great film was shown to audiences.

The film gives us an opportunity to enjoy the many talents that MGM gave us. It is just too numerous to mention.

Of course, I beg to differ with Frank Sinatra. The best of the MGM musicals was not the Oscar winning "An American In Paris," in 1951, as stated. Sinatra and others called that famous scene a ballet scene. That was part of the problem with this film. While everyone danced around Paris, there was absolutely no plot. Please remember that when the film won the best picture Oscar, there was a wave of protests. The academy received a record number of protests. 7 years later, "Gigi" would win the best picture of the year award. There were no protests then because the picture deserved to win.

That being said, the film succeeds as it allowed us to delve into the world of the musical, which helped us to get through the depression and a World War.

The ending credits here were memorable as MGM paid tribute to all those- the writers, directors, song writers, and the stars themselves who gave us such musical delights.

The movie that changed my life

[clave · 10/10 · 6 December 2000]

I was 11 years old when I saw this film for the first time. We got late, so the film had already started, and I caught Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald singing "Indian Love": I was mesmerized. And then I met all the people I had never heard of but would adore for the rest of my life: Eleanor Powell, Fred Astaire, and the whole gang. I've been in love with musicals since and became the man I am because of this experience.

Down Home Musicals.

[rmax304823 · 8/10 · 31 December 2008]

It's hard to evaluate a documentary like this because it's a compilation of musical numbers from the legendary MGM factory over a period of more than thirty years, and although the numbers all show a good deal of effort, some are invariably an improvement over others. There are a couple of dozen episodes, introduced by a dozen or so former MGM musical stars.

The numbers are all commercial in their nature, designed to appeal to the family-oriented and innocent audiences of the time. There's nothing dark about any of them. Even complex tragedies like "Showboat," the Rogers and Hart Broadway hit of around 1927, is sanitized in its verse and characterizations. Louis B. Mayer had no interest in the working-class dramas of the Warner Brothers. All its output was a warm and cozy as money and talent could make it. If Mayer couldn't get Shirley Temple, after whose drawing power he lusted, he created his own Shirley Temples in Judy Garland and Margaret O'Brien.

The numbers (or at least snippets of them) range from exhilarating (the barn-raising dance sequence in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" or Gene Kelly's "Singin' in the Rain") through comically bad (you must hear Robert Montgomery sing in an operetta, or Jimmy Stewart wrestling his way through Cole Porter's undemanding "Easy to Love", or Wallace Beery grumbling uncomfortably for "It's a Most Unusual Day"), to the earnest vulgarity of Joan Crawford's hootchie-cootchie or Esther Williams color-drenched high dives into a sea of fountains, flares, and fireworks.

The guides are Old Faithfuls, familiar to all movie buffs -- perhaps with Peter Lawford near the bottom and Old Blue Eyes near the top. Fred Astaire provides a graceful description of Gene Kelly's gymnastic dancing style, and Kelly does something similar for Astaire's more delicate and more innovative ballroom style.

In a way, that's where the problem lies. Not a BIG problem -- not enough to detract from our enjoyment of these mostly splendid productions -- but a subtle irritation, even if an expectable one. The narration is written by Jack Haley, Jr., son of the Tin Man and ex-husband of Liza Minelli. It seems at times to be aimed at idiots. In "Royal Wedding," to an unexceptional tune, Fred Astaire dances on the floor, then climbs one of the walls and dances sideways, then upside down on the ceiling, then on the opposite wall, and finally back to the floor where this nonsense started. Gene Kelly's narration tells us that "movie buffs have been arguing ever since about how it was done." WHAT movie buffs? Those under the age of ten? There's a condescending quality to the written script that qualifies our appreciation of the overall work. "We've saved the best for last," says Sinatra and we see much of the splashy, complex, and extremely expensive "American in Paris" ballet. I don't think it's "the best," do you? "One of the best," probably. "Good," certainly. But it would have been nice if Haley has let us make up our own minds and not treat us as savages only lately come down from the Nilgiri Hills.

On the other hand, Haley has evoked a poignant sense of nostalgia for the past. The sets on the MGM lot that were once vibrant with faux life, busy with activity, are now shabby skeletons with some shingling still attached -- artistically arranged, to be sure.

I wonder if you need to be old enough to remember the musicals in their original form to appreciate what a loss to vernacular culture that this represents. Man, MGM had billions left in that lot. All they had to do was turn it into a sort of theme park with paid tours. Look at Universal Studios -- flourishing although few movies are made there. As it was, MGM sold out for the short change. They auctioned off all the props and sold the lot to developers who plowed everything under and did was developers do: put up steely buildings surrounded by vast asphalt parking lots.

"They don't make them like this anymore," one of the guides remarks, and he is so right. They couldn't if they wanted to. Not only are the sets gone but just this year we've seen the demise of people like Ann Miller, Cyd Charisse, and Van Johnson.

That's enough bad mouthing, I suppose. This is certainly worth watching. Just for one example, watch the grace and near perfection of Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse in "Dancing in the Dark" from "The Bandwagon." Watch some of the others. Then go rent the originals.

That's Entertainment on Reel 13

[eplromeo8 · 6/10 · 1 August 2008]

It's bad enough that Reel 13 feels the need to air these compilation films at all in place of an actual classic, let alone airing them in reverse order. In my blog from May about THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT PART II, I suggested that film suffered because it was an afterthought and focused on the leftover clips from the first one. Well, in rewatching THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT last night, my theory was confirmed. That's Entertainment is significantly more, well, entertaining, largely because it features all the big guns in the MGM library like SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, AN American IN Paris, THE BANDWAGON, the Mickey and Judy movies, etc. It is more comprehensive, more interesting, more educational, more star-studded (the second only features Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire as hosts – here we have those guys plus Sinatra, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Bing Crosby and more) and more impactful.

It did start to drag a little toward the end, but I think much of that had to do with having seen the sequel so recently. I had my fill of scenes from MGM musicals for one summer, but that aside, I feel pretty confident that THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT stands on its own as both a fun trip back in time as well as a thorough and reverent celebration of one particular era in the history of cinema.

All in all a first rate production

[arthur-jenkins · 10/10 · 21 January 2007]

A marvellous two hours of sheer bliss.The pace of this film is very fast moving and contained COMPLETE musical numbers from some really memorable films.The quality of some of the film prints was excellent considering the age of some of the material. My only criticism is that MGM has NOT released Esther Williams 'One piece bathing suit'('Million dollar mermaid') or 'One the town' on DVD in England. Would MGM like to respond !! Meanwhile,I am now about to view 'That's Entertainment 11'

Ray Jenkins

Sutton

England

great for fans of old musicals

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 1 January 2019]

Various old Hollywood legends guide the audience through a clip show of the era of MGM musicals from the invention of sound up to the 50's. This is very much for the musical fans. I'm not versed in the genre so I only recognize a few of the most iconic movies. It's certainly fascinating to see the old stars doing their intros to their movies in the old empty backlots during 1974. It's all gone nowadays if not going to be gone. Even in 1974, the backlot had seen better days if only they would sneak a peak at an ongoing production. There's a sad nostalgia to seeing these old stars in those crumbling empty lots. It's like a fading echo of the past that would soon disappear. Those interstitial scenes are the most compelling. I would have liked more behind-the-scene material back in the day from those musicals. Of course, those may not exist or the quality would be too low. For old musicals fans, this must be heaven. For general cinephiles like me, this is a fascinating look into the past, blackface and all.

Nostalgia or Primer

[LeonLouisRicci · 10/10 · 2 January 2014]

This Compilation of Clips from MGM Musicals can serve two distinct and delightful Audiences. Those Older Folks who have been there and done that, and those who have not. It can be a Nostalgic Trip down Memory Lane or an Introduction to these Popular Movies for those that are Curious.

The Movie is heavy on Self-Congratulatory MGM Hubris, but if taken in that context it can be forgiven. Because the Movie is non-stop in its inclusion of Colorful and Timeless Musicals and some of the Famous Songs and Dances, some in their Entirety, and others Shorten for Time Restraints.

It is an Eye-Popping Extravaganza of Talent, be They Hoofers, Crooners, of Choreographers like the inimitable Busby Berkeley. The Film zips along and hardly wavers in its Title Conceit. There is much to take in here and it is a rewarding Experience.

Recommended for an Introduction to the Musicals of the past as a Primer to determine further Exploration of the Genre. Also for those with a Yearn for Yesteryear and this Time-Stamped Art Form.

A staple in musical history

[HotToastyRag · 7/10 · 19 November 2018]

That's Entertainment! was an amazing, wonderful, one-of-a-kind movie in 1974 that transported all the old-timers back to when they watched the golden oldies in the movie theaters. It's a two-hour documentary compilation of MGM's musicals from the 1930s through the 1960s. The reason this movie was so unique and appreciated by audiences was because 1974 was a world without internet, YouTube, video rentals, or movies available for home purchase. If you didn't catch a movie in the theaters, you had to just hope it would one day show up on television, and even then, you couldn't record it. That's Entertainment! was the first time people who went to see Judy Garland movies in the theaters could see them again. Try and put yourself back in time and realize how magical this movie was.

Now, in the present day, this movie isn't as magnificent as it once was. First of all, thanks to That's Entertainment! Part II and III, as well as That's Dancing!, it's no longer technically a one-of-a kind movie. Second of all, people can own and rent almost every movie they want, and the ones they don't own, they can watch in snippets or in full on the internet. It's not that much of a treat to watch a montage of the greatest musical numbers in MGM history, because chances are, you've already bought the DVD collection or someone has edited together their own set of clips on Final Cut and uploaded it to YouTube.

The good part of this compilation, and of the subsequent documentaries, is the collection of hosts. Watching Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Bing Crosby, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Mickey Rooney, Peter Lawford, and Frank Sinatra in their silver-haired glory reminiscing about the good old days on the MGM lot is priceless. Most people don't even remember Elizabeth Taylor and James Stewart once sang in their movies, but they join the list of hosts and talk about their brief singing careers. Also, since Judy Garland wasn't around to join the cast, her daughter Liza Minelli shared memories of her mother.

If you love musicals, this movie is a staple, but don't expect to be wowed by the editing techniques. This is a tribute to the good old days, made for the old timers who hated living through the 1970s and wished they could go back. And keep in mind this movie was made by MGM and will only include MGM musicals. You won't see any snippets from Fred Astaire's RKO movies, and you won't hear any Shirley Temple songs.

Not fabulous pretty pointless actually (go ahead and flame me)

[david-2271 · 3/10 · 9 October 2006]

The one thing Hollywood never gets tired of is celebrating how "fabulous" it is. "That's Entertainment" is a documentary focusing on one aspect of this fabulousness; old musicals. It was a great idea, ruined by good old Hollywood ego.

The Hollywood musicals ran the gamut from "artistic triumph" to "real dog." "That's Entertainment" makes no distinction between the two extremes. One minute you could be watching "Singin' in the Rain" and the next you are watching a clip from "Words and Music." "Words and Music" was a critical disaster. Star Mickey Rooney called it, "A terrible turkey" in his autobiography, yet here it presented as, well, fabulous. They even show the self-contained Lena Horne solo, which could be excised for Southern audiences (what, fabulous Hollywood pander to an audience? 'Fraid so, but they would never admit it here).

In another scene we get a clip of Clark Gable singing "Puttin' on the Ritz." It is the only time in his career that Gable didn't look to be in complete control in front of the camera. In fact, he looks to be in genuine pain. No acknowledgement here that making him do this was stupid though, no, it was fabulous.

the clips are introduced by the stars of the musicals, and also Liza "Have I mentioned in the past five minutes that Judy Garland was my mother?" Minelli. One of the things they all mention is how much they love their fellow performers. Since they are obviously reading from cue cards, their declarations seem insincere.

What's more, we get no behind the scenes info. No discussions of how scenes were staged, how casting decisions were made, what directing a musical was like, nothing. Perhaps they feel that this kind of talk would take away the "magic." Instead, this glaring omission makes it all seem anti-intellectual.

My conclusion is this; "That's Entertainment" is like last years' Oscar night. Hollywood celebrates itself, and tells you that you should too. This time, I couldn't.