How often do you get two topnotch tap dancers of opposite sex in the same film. Yes, Fred and Eleanor, and Fred and Rita. Here, we have two very under-appreciated dancers and all around actors in Ann Miller and Bobby Van. And what luck, Busby Berkeley is the choreographer! But, this is not to say that the pure singing and screenplay is without interest, as well. Brodszky and Leo Robin composed some decent upbeat songs for particular situations or messages or for the dances.
Too many reviewers just highlight Van's cartoonish extended bunny hop around the town, with an uncredited musical background. Yes, this is quite a unique and interesting scene. Certainly, more interesting than Kelly's much ballyhooed "Singing in the Rain" number. But, in truth, it doesn't showcase Van's versatile dancing talent. Presumably, most any slim young man in good shape could easily learn to do this scene. Several reviewers mistakenly claim this is his "Take Me to Broadway Number". It isn't! This was a prior romp through his father's department store, in which he is demonstrating his dancing talent, dressed as Fred Astaire, hoping to become a Broadway star. This act is also quite impressive, and impressively staged, if shorter than the bunny hop scene. Although dressed as Astaire, this is more a Gene Kelly or Don O'Connor-type performance, with lots of bounding around on furniture and banisters. In contrast to Kelly's "Singing in the Rain", in which he is celebrating a new -found love, Van, in his bunny hop number, is celebrating the rejection of his marriage proposal to Jane's character, which his father pressured him into doing. Now , he is free to go to NYC from little Duck Creek, and pursue his ambition, without conflict from Jane, who wants to stay in Duck Creek. Van also had a third bouncy dance number, with Jane and a female chorus, in a park setting. In the song, they say they feel fine, optimistic, as small towners. This isn't bad either!. Hollywood sure missed the boat when it failed to groom Van as a big musical star. He will likely remind you of a mix of Don O'Conner and Ray Bolger in looks and dancing style.
Ann Miller plays her typical role as the sensuous 'other woman', sole dancer talent. Ann has 2 dance productions. The unique "I've Got to Hear that Beat", with musicians(supposedly) under the floor or behind the wall, and only hands and instruments showing above. Ann dances up a storm between and around the instruments. Lots of above shots, with Ann often in a spotlight, and an oversized shadow of a drummer often in the background. Later, in a more conventionally staged number, she dances to "My Gaucho", as a flamingo dancer, with a bevy of gaucho dancers. Shorter, and no overhead shots, but not bad either!
Earlier, while visiting snobbish big city Rick(Stuart Granger), in jail for arrogantly speeding through Duck Creek at 85 mph, Jane sings "Small Towns are Smile Towns", extolling an idyllic picture of slow-paced, friendly, small town life, in contrast to the supposed superficial bustle of big city life. Later, she sings "The Fellow I'd Follow", in Rick's opulent family mansion. This functions to suggest her incongruous warming up to Rick. Very formulistic! Meanwhile, Rick, who is engaged to Ann's character, is quickly warming up to Jane, setting the stage for a switcheroo. He's also OK to move to Duck Creek, having been won over by the character of the people there during his short stay. During his jail stay, Granger supposedly goes on a hunger strike, but is secretly supplies with goodies through his window by various hopeful female admirers, later including Jane.
The take home message is that some people are happiest in big cities, while others only feel comfortable in small towns. Where you grew up is not necessarily where you feel most comfortable as an adult. However, the bias is still clearly toward small towns. In addition to top musical talent, some wonderful character actors are included. Will Rogers-like Chill Wills serves as the town sheriff, while the inimical fuss body "Cuddles" Sakal serves as Van's department store-owning father, who wants Van to stay in Duck Creek. Billie Burke, who played the 'good witch' in "The Wizard of Oz", and was Florenz Ziegfeld's widow, is Rick's charming mother, who is won over by Jane's beauty, charming personality and singing. Robert Keith serves as Jane's father and the judge in Duck Creek: a town so informal that he sentences Rick to jail time while in his home, after a policemen brought Rick to his home. The film makes the point that church is important in promoting the sociability and morality of small town people, presumably more so than in big cities. We have a church scene near the beginning and in the finale, with Jane a lead singer in the choir. Seems everyone in this town goes to the same church!
Jane's MGM films from the late '40s and '50s nearly always included at least one other 'name' musical talent. Those that included some unusual dancing are generally the most popular in recent times. Ann Miller would return to do several specialty dances in Jane's last MGM musical "Hit the Deck", but without BB to direct them.
Too many reviewers just highlight Van's cartoonish extended bunny hop around the town, with an uncredited musical background. Yes, this is quite a unique and interesting scene. Certainly, more interesting than Kelly's much ballyhooed "Singing in the Rain" number. But, in truth, it doesn't showcase Van's versatile dancing talent. Presumably, most any slim young man in good shape could easily learn to do this scene. Several reviewers mistakenly claim this is his "Take Me to Broadway Number". It isn't! This was a prior romp through his father's department store, in which he is demonstrating his dancing talent, dressed as Fred Astaire, hoping to become a Broadway star. This act is also quite impressive, and impressively staged, if shorter than the bunny hop scene. Although dressed as Astaire, this is more a Gene Kelly or Don O'Connor-type performance, with lots of bounding around on furniture and banisters. In contrast to Kelly's "Singing in the Rain", in which he is celebrating a new -found love, Van, in his bunny hop number, is celebrating the rejection of his marriage proposal to Jane's character, which his father pressured him into doing. Now , he is free to go to NYC from little Duck Creek, and pursue his ambition, without conflict from Jane, who wants to stay in Duck Creek. Van also had a third bouncy dance number, with Jane and a female chorus, in a park setting. In the song, they say they feel fine, optimistic, as small towners. This isn't bad either!. Hollywood sure missed the boat when it failed to groom Van as a big musical star. He will likely remind you of a mix of Don O'Conner and Ray Bolger in looks and dancing style.
Ann Miller plays her typical role as the sensuous 'other woman', sole dancer talent. Ann has 2 dance productions. The unique "I've Got to Hear that Beat", with musicians(supposedly) under the floor or behind the wall, and only hands and instruments showing above. Ann dances up a storm between and around the instruments. Lots of above shots, with Ann often in a spotlight, and an oversized shadow of a drummer often in the background. Later, in a more conventionally staged number, she dances to "My Gaucho", as a flamingo dancer, with a bevy of gaucho dancers. Shorter, and no overhead shots, but not bad either!
Earlier, while visiting snobbish big city Rick(Stuart Granger), in jail for arrogantly speeding through Duck Creek at 85 mph, Jane sings "Small Towns are Smile Towns", extolling an idyllic picture of slow-paced, friendly, small town life, in contrast to the supposed superficial bustle of big city life. Later, she sings "The Fellow I'd Follow", in Rick's opulent family mansion. This functions to suggest her incongruous warming up to Rick. Very formulistic! Meanwhile, Rick, who is engaged to Ann's character, is quickly warming up to Jane, setting the stage for a switcheroo. He's also OK to move to Duck Creek, having been won over by the character of the people there during his short stay. During his jail stay, Granger supposedly goes on a hunger strike, but is secretly supplies with goodies through his window by various hopeful female admirers, later including Jane.
The take home message is that some people are happiest in big cities, while others only feel comfortable in small towns. Where you grew up is not necessarily where you feel most comfortable as an adult. However, the bias is still clearly toward small towns. In addition to top musical talent, some wonderful character actors are included. Will Rogers-like Chill Wills serves as the town sheriff, while the inimical fuss body "Cuddles" Sakal serves as Van's department store-owning father, who wants Van to stay in Duck Creek. Billie Burke, who played the 'good witch' in "The Wizard of Oz", and was Florenz Ziegfeld's widow, is Rick's charming mother, who is won over by Jane's beauty, charming personality and singing. Robert Keith serves as Jane's father and the judge in Duck Creek: a town so informal that he sentences Rick to jail time while in his home, after a policemen brought Rick to his home. The film makes the point that church is important in promoting the sociability and morality of small town people, presumably more so than in big cities. We have a church scene near the beginning and in the finale, with Jane a lead singer in the choir. Seems everyone in this town goes to the same church!
Jane's MGM films from the late '40s and '50s nearly always included at least one other 'name' musical talent. Those that included some unusual dancing are generally the most popular in recent times. Ann Miller would return to do several specialty dances in Jane's last MGM musical "Hit the Deck", but without BB to direct them.