Wonderful entertainment for the war-weary military and home front audiences. This was the first color film for striking flaming redhead Lucille Ball, in the title role, and for MGM newcomer Gene Kelly, who dances, sings, and adds comedy and drama to the proceedings, nosing out top-billed Red Skelton as Lucy's paramour, in the end. Skelton shines in his best performance I've seen in a Hollywood film. Zero Mostel, Rags Ragland, and Douglass Dumbrille, contribute to the comedy and drama. Zero is especially notable for his comedy. Among other things, he clearly parodies Charles Boyer, in his role in "Algiers". .........Lots of beautiful girls prance around or show off their wardrobes. Even Lana Turner has a cameo appearance. Virginia O'Brien's irritating deadpan style of singing comes across better than in other films I've seen. The Thee Oxfords put on an impressive musical comedy act, parodying a number of popular Big Bands, using only their mouth, nose, and hands. Tommy Dorsey's band provides several featured songs. In some cases, his Pied Pipers singing group are included. Included are future singles stars Dick Haymes, and Jo Stafford. . "Do I Love You", "Katie Went to Haiti", and "Friendship" were the only Cole Porter songs performed from the original Broadway play.......... An extended hour and a half of top entertainment, Red graduating from poor hat-check boy, to millionaire, to bankrupt IRS deadbeat, to a dreamy King Louis XV, chasing Madam Du Barry around the bedroom, before waking up to reality.
Review of Du Barry Was a Lady
Du Barry Was a Lady
(1943)
The redheads dominate, along with Gene Kelly and Tommy Dorsey's orchestra, in this Technicolor extravaganza
1 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers