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Reviews
It's Always Fair Weather (1955)
"I Like Myself": Well, I Liked Everybody ELSE.
I found this movie to be pretty entertaining, but it needed a bit more of the supporting players and a LOT less of Gene Kelly. I've never found him that appealing, and it doesn't surprise me that he ordered the removal of amazing dancer Michael Kidd's solo number - and nearly did the same to Dan Dailey. I'm glad Donen prevailed and Dailey's number stayed in; he's a pleasure to watch. Most song-and-dance men are small, wiry fellows; it is SO nice to see a big, tall man who can dance with the best of them. In the "Up In Smoke" number, I noticed that his timing was right in tune with Kidd's; it was Kelly who was out of sync. As for the women: Dolores Gray's parody of a "Queen- for- a- Day" type host was simply FABULOUS - you can't play that kind of a character straight! - but Cyd Charisse seemed out of place as the program director. (Maybe I've got too strong a memory of her as the slinky siren in "Singin' in the Rain"?) Finally I've never liked the dance number on roller skates, however difficult it might be: Kelly is supposed to be crowing about the girl, but instead he's singing a valentine to HIMSELF. I'm glad you like yourself, Gene; I'm going to rewind to Dan Dailey's "Situation-Wise".
Funny Face (1957)
Sit Back, Relax, Don't Think Too Much - Just ENJOY!
I'll admit there are inconsistencies in Jo Stockton's character, and having Fred Astaire at his age as the paramour for Audrey at her age is a little absurd, but the movie is such a lot of fun that you get sucked into it and plot problems et cetera tend to recede into the distance. Besides the photographic SFX, my favorite part of this movie is Kay Thompson for two reasons: 1) she helps prove once and for all that you don't have to be a soprano to be a smashing vocalist; 2) I know this was supposed to be Audrey Hepburn's picture but right at the outset Kay just marches in, clamps her teeth on a corner of the scenery, and all but drags it out from under the other two principals-- and does it so well that you can't help but admire her for it. (Oh, and while I'm thinking of it: it's true Audrey Hepburn wasn't known for her singing, although she sounds just fine to me, but yes she WAS a professional dancer - if I remember right she earned her living during or shortly after WWII as a ballerina.)
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (1967)
Fun At Times, But Made My Head Hurt
It's an okay movie, but it seems at times like most of the characters are more caricatures than anything else - especially Biggley, LaRue, and the mail-room chief. (See how little he mattered to me? I don't even recall his name!) Also, despite the fact that it was made ten years AFTER "Funny Face" it seems a lot less modern, a lot less of a breath of fresh air than the other picture. And WHAT is with the bellowing moose (Ruth Kobart) who played Ms. Jones?!? Several people seemed to have a bad case of Wagneritis (listen to John Myhers' heavy delivery of "A Secretary is Not a Toy"), but she's the worst of the bunch: when "Brotherhood of Man" starts I either have to mute the sound or ffwd. until it's all over with. I know she was an operatic singer, but she had NO business leaping on that desk and trying to drown out all the suits with that aria: I may be prejudiced in favor of the common-sense contralto instead of operatic mezzo, but she should have either been replaced by someone like Kay Thompson or just not sung. All in all, it was competently made for the most part but I found it better watched in small doses.