Luxury Liner

Jane in beautiful voice. Melchior wonderful. Brent cute and funny. Miss Dean (Dene?) powerful, sweet and beautiful. The 'boy with funny faces' a laugh riot. Exterior shot of ship looking quite modern. I realized that 1948 was only 36 years after Titanic demise, and of course people were comfortable again in going by ship. By 1948, people were flying commercially, but big boats were still very popular. A plane flight, however, wouldn't have the time needed for story development, though. Miss Dean's fiancé was very handsome, I thought. I loved all the tons of flowers he sent her, that took up so much space in her stateroom. Jane scrubbing floors on her hands and knees: pretty hard on the knees. If going by liner, it might as well have been luxury, so good thing Jane got out of those scrubbing clothes and into better looking outfits. Jane was so outgoing and cheeky in trying to get an audience with Melchior. It is good that he was so nice to her, and so accommodating. It would be a dream come true for any singer.

Polly Bradford (Jane Powell) is getting left behind as her father Jeremy Bradford (George Brent) captains his ship to Rio. She leaves school and sneaks onboard. He puts her to work in the galley. She befriends heartbroken passenger Laura Dene (Frances Gifford) and is obsessed with fellow passengers opera performers Olaf and Zita. Jane Powell is doing her flighty sassy teenager role. I can do without the opera. Otherwise, it's light fun and light romantic adventures. It's all very light like a Love Boat episode.

"Luxery Liner" was a showcase for young Jane Powell who had scored a box-office smash in her MGM debut film "Holiday in Mexico." It was pure Technicolor musical entertainment geared for the mass audience in the 1940's. "Pap" is a crude word and a choice for those trying to dismiss something they don't understand or want to enjoy. "Luxery Liner" wasn't meant to be Gone With the Wind, just the kind of entertainment audiences enjoyed. Jane Powell is charming and (at that young age) a very gifted singer. (Anyone remember another box-office bundle-of-talent named Deanna Durbin who Louis B. Mayer let slip through his fingers?). Like Miss Durbin, Jane Powell could handle a variety of selections (ballads, operettas, rhythm tunes). In "Luxery Liner" her rendition of "The Peanut Vendor", accompanied by Xavier Cugat's orchestra, is something to hear as she literally "glows with talent." Lauriz Melichor (who she refers to has "my Sinatra"), was discovered by movie audiences in "Thrill of a Romance" (more pap?) couldn't resist her either. At the film's conclusion he pick's her up, like a delicate flower, and glows as they sing and waltz till the end title appears. Some may consider "Luxery Liner" "pap" but, enjoyed for what it is, it's lovely pap. For the record both "Thrill of a Romance" and "Holiday in Mexico" are on Variety's list of all-time box-office rentals. All they did was make a pile of money for MGM and big stars of Esther Williams, Van Johnson and Jane Powell.

The story may be schmaltzy, but this movie is so charming and refreshing I find it impossible not to like. It looks lovely, with evergreen cinematography, beautiful costumes and lovingly-rendered ship. And the music is like a treasure trove, just utterly amazing to listen to, The Peanut Vendor and Wintersturme are particularly wonderful. The movie runs 98 minutes or so, and for me it is a 98 minutes well spent, the film does move briskly and is full of charm, exuberance and freshness. The direction is able, as is the script. And yes I loved the performances, Jane Powell is just a gem in this film. She looks utterly gorgeous with a darling, beautiful face and she sings wonderfully. Her duets with Lauritz Melchoir are lovely, he may have the stronger voice but she blends pretty well with him. George Brent is more than a pretty face as well, he is funny and he is cute, and Lauritz Melchoir as Olaf Eriksen(aka. My Sinatra) is a sheer delight. Hardly surprising as here he has a homely and warm presence with a huge ringing voice, no wonder he was considered one of the greatest Wagnerian tenors of the twentieth century because his Wintersturme was really powerful. Overall, a real treasure with wonderful music and performances. 10/10 Bethany Cox

This movie is pap, but it's pleasant enough pap and offers some wonderful musical moments. The plot is a sit-com all about a girl (Jane Powell) who stows away on the luxury ocean liner her daddy (George Brent, in his second outing in a film with this title!) just happens to captain. Havoc ensues, of course -- the details are beside the point. The real point is that Xavier Cugat is on board with his orchestra -- and lots of surprise musical guests. Audiences in the 40s knew quite well what to expect from this sort of thing -- The Xavier Cugat/Jose Iturbi Musical -- lots of "Latin-style" fun, eye-dazzling Technicolor, and tunes galore. This one is no worse than any of them, and for a few reasons may actually be a bit better. Here's the really great thing about this pic: One of the musical "surprises" on the ship turns out to be operatic tenor Lauritz Melchior! Melchior's voice was one of the finest of his era, and his Wagnerian outing here ("Winter Storms," from Die Walküre) gives a hint of just what a pleasure he was in his prime. His performs duets with Powell from the Viennese repertoire, but she's no match for his power and finesse. Also, Marina Koshetz sings a FAAAAAABulous rendition of Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin."

All in all, worth the time it takes to watch.