Hollywood Musicals [DVD]

Product Details

• Format: Box set, PAL
• Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
• Number of discs: 8
• Classification: PG
• Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
• DVD Release Date: 4 Sep 2006
  

By : Rated:Parental Guidance|Format: DVD

Customer Reviews

ON THE AVENUE (Black and White 1937) - This is one of my all time favourites. Spoilt rich girl Mimi Caraway (Madeleine Carroll) and her father are lampooned in a Broadway show by Gary Blake (Dick Powell) aided by his dancing partner Mona Merrick (Alice Faye). The plot becomes a very amusing love triangle as the Caraway's seeks revenge.
The fine score from Irving Berlin includes "I've got my love to keep me warm" and the equally good but not so well known "Last years kisses".
SECOND FIDDLE (Black and White 1939) - More like a romantic comedy than a musical as the dance routines take place on the ice rink, changing the emphasis from spectacle to grace.
Tyrone Power works hard maintaining dramatic momentum ably supported by Edna May Oliver in one of her aunt roles. Sonja Henie was almost entirely an ice champion and pretty face (1930s style), fortunately her acting input is small.
Good singing in adequate Irving Berlin songs from Rudy Vallee and Mary Healy, especially the memorable opening set for "An Old Fashioned Tune".
SUN VALLEY SERENADE (Black and White 1941) - Director Bruce Humberson whisks up a delightful soufflé with a very deft hand.
During the early days of WWII an orchestra sponsors a refugee, Sonja Henie, only to find she is a beautiful and wilfully mischievous (surely not scheming) young woman who sets her sights on the pianist, John Payne who already has a girlfriend, Lyn Bari the band's singer.
This time Henie is ideal in her role and abandons her skates for skis for a great part of the fun, also plenty of wonderful music from Glen Miller playing himself, his band vocalists and Lynn Bari.
ORCHESTA WIVES (Black and White 1942) - The second of two films featuring the Glen Miller Orchestra. A love triangle between the bands pianist George Montgomery, his girl friend and the bands singer Lynn Bari, and a girl fan Ann Rutherford he marries on impulse. The cauldron is kept boiling by the bitching wives of the band on a tour.
Good fun but the real interest is great music courtesy of the Miller magic.
THE GANG'S ALL HERE (Technicolor 1943) - This is another wonderful Alice Faye musical with a WWII romance and a "producing the new musical" background providing the excuse for a great series of dance and song routines: including Carmen Miranda in her all time classic "Lady in the Tutti Frutti hat", and Faye sings "Journey to a Star".
The slight plot is all that is needed, but watch out for the hilarious antics of Edward Everett Horton and Charlotte Greenwood as the Peyton Potters. This is one to cherish.
PIN UP GIRL (Technicolor 1944) - Very much intended as a morale booster for US servicemen abroad it has not worn well. A totally uninspired film with feeble plot, agonising lyrics to songs you will want to forget and in your face colours.
DOLLY SISTERS (Technicolor 1945) - Hungarian song and dance sisters Jenny (Grable) and Rosie (Haver) rise from child performers to international stars amidst a riot of wonderful songs and dancing. S. Z. Sakall as always charms his way through the film as their Uncle Latsie and the love interest is provided by Harry Fox (John Payne) and Jenny as time and again their show business careers drive them apart.
With all the music there is still time for a good plot with Grable and Haver making a great team. Not to be missed.
DADDY LONG LEGS (1955) - This musical was made as rock and roll was in the ascendant, Fred Astaire was slowly winding down his long career, and Gene Kelly had established new styles of dancing and choreography.
The plot of millionaire Jervis Pendleton (Astaire) deciding on a whim to anonymously sponsor an American education for Julie Andre (Leslie Caron) a girl in a French orphanage is really a full blown romantic comedy. Acknowledging the evolving musical genre we are treated to an eclectic mix of ballet and dance, styles and settings from traditional to abstract giving the film an engaging charm.
FINALLY - All the films are presented in excellent DVD transfers and good sound, no extras except trailers.

This also was bought for my husband. We have watched the DVDs together and would thoroughly recommend them to anyone who likes to go back in time when it was a delight to watch musicals where there was no violence, just beautiful music, love and romance. When men were men and women werewomen.

 

Hollywood Musicals [DVD]