This film really tried my patience. Fifteen minutes of star-studded entertainment spread out over a two-hour endurance test. The editing is pathetic. I've seen better cinematography in home movies. Most of the songs are totally forgettable, as are half the acts, especially Joan Crawford, who has all the dancing grace of a bull in a china shop (and a singing voice to match). All but a few jokes fall flat. Even the brief appearance by the immortal Laurel and Hardy was an embarrassment. The one saving feature was the closing color production of "Singing in the Rain".
That this film was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar says that either 1929 was a terrible year for films, or that MGM had a lot of influence with the nominations. Somewhat similar to the film's of 2000 and the influence of Miramax ("Chocolat")!!
By the way, this was not MGM's first "talkie". In the film, references are made to "Broadway Melody", which was also a "talkie".
That this film was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar says that either 1929 was a terrible year for films, or that MGM had a lot of influence with the nominations. Somewhat similar to the film's of 2000 and the influence of Miramax ("Chocolat")!!
By the way, this was not MGM's first "talkie". In the film, references are made to "Broadway Melody", which was also a "talkie".