If you’re a fan of classic Hollywood films then now is one
of the best times to be alive. Many of those classics are finding their way
onto blu-ray via companies like Kino Lorber, The Film Detective, Olive Films and
Twilight Time. And if you’re a fan of movie musicals then this latest from
Twilight Time should put a smile on your face. While not the most famous or the
best thing from director Busby Berkeley there is plenty to enjoy here.
The story is incredibly simple and for today’s audiences
farfetched and yet it works. Andy Mason (James Ellison) is the son of a hot
shot business man Andrew Mason (Eugene Pallette) who has enlisted in the
military and about to ship out. One night he finds his father and his father’s
best friend/partner Peyton Potter (Edward Everett Horton) at a New York
nightclub filled with music and dance hall girls. The star of the show is
Dorita (Carmen Miranda) but it is another singer who catches Andy’s eye, Edie
Allen (Alice Faye).
Following her from the nightclub to a dime a dance club
where she spends time with military men before they ship out he tries to pick
her up. But that’s not what she’s there for, she’s just interested in moral
support. He eventually talks her into spending some time with him, gives her a
false name of Casey and the two fall in love before he leaves.
Fast forward to Andy’s return home after becoming a hero in
the Pacific. As he gets ready to visit his father at home Andrew plans a huge
party for him, complete with a show put on by Phil Baker, the man who ran the
nightclub we saw at the beginning of the film now in search of a rehearsal
location. The plan is to use Peyton’s home which should hold everyone much to
his consternation. Also in attendance will be Peyton’s wife (Charlotte
Greenwood), who has a hidden past performing with Baker and their daughter
Vivian (Shelia Ryan), the girl both families plan to marry to Andy.
Who is the new star of this show? Why Edie of course who
becomes fast friends with Vivian as they both talk about their guy in the way,
one named Andy and one name Casey. What will happen when they eventually
discover he is one in the same?
The laughs are supplied by Miranda at her riotous best,
Horton who plays the fussbudget of the bunch, Pallette who is all bluster as
usual and the situations the characters find themselves in. Greenwood nearly
steals the show as the ex-showgirl turned society matron, more inclined to
follow her past than present. Filled with a number of musical numbers, Benny
Goodman and his band, solo performances and dancing galore the movie is a prime
example of the classic musical comedy found just as the genre was coming into
its heyday in the fifties.
Berkeley was known for his musicals and the style with which
he shot them. His famous kaleidoscopic used of cameras and dancing girls is on
display here in seemingly effortless fashion. Much has been said about the
subtle use of giant bananas in one segment but to watch it you never really
consider the Freudian implications of it all. Instead you marvel at the images
on screen and just enjoy the combination of music, dance and cinematography
that combine to offer a treat.
It’s sad to note that this was Berkeley’s only color film
done with his famous style of choreography combined with camera work that made
him a household name. But fortunately we do have this on hand to enjoy. I
didn’t find it to be one of his best works nor one of the greatest musicals
I’ve watched but it was pure entertainment from start to finish. As is always
the case Twilight Time offers a presentation that is second to none. As well as
the movie itself we get an isolated score track, audio commentary with film
historian Drew Casper, audio commentary with film historians Glenn Kenny, Ed
Hulse and Farran Smith Nehme, a documentary on Busby Berkeley, Alice Faye’s
last film (a short she made), a deleted scene and the original theatrical
trailer. Old time movie fans will want to add this one to their collection as
will Busby Berkeley fans.
No comments:
Post a Comment