8/10
Doris Day, Jimmy Durante, Martha Raye, and Stephen Boyd star in the wonderful Billy Rose's Jumbo
24 March 2021
Having previously watched and enjoyed this movie on VHS tape during the '90s, I just watched this again with Mom on DVD. We both were enthralled by Doris Day, Jimmy Durante, Martha Raye, and even Stephen Boyd who didn't actually sing his songs but whoever dubbed his voice during his numbers certainly sounded like he did! The Rodgers & Hart tunes included the now-iconic "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" first sung by the person who dubbed Boyd to Ms. Day before Durante sung his verison to Ms. Raye of which the latter version was the most touching even with the kind of voice Durante had! Ms. Day and Ms. Raye also had a nice duet on "Why Can't I?" There's also a funny clown sequence by all four near the end. And then there's the choreography by the legendary Busby Berkeley of which this was his last film assignment. The plot mainly concerns Durante's Wonder Circus and a rival company of which many of Durante's cast and crew go to the other one because of financial concerns. Nothing more to say except Mom and I both highly recommend Jumbo.
2 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed