Fun MGM musical, directed by the Busby Berkeley and starring three screen legends. The story centers around two turn-of-the-century baseball players (Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra), who also happen to be vaudevillians during the off-season, and their relationship with their team's beautiful new owner (Esther Williams). There's more music than baseball to this one. So if you're not typically into sports movies, don't worry. Some of the great numbers include "O'Brien to Ryan to Goldberg," "Strictly U.S.A.," and, of course, the title song. Frank and Gene are both in good form, despite Frank being somewhat miscast for the role of a guy who's awkward and girl shy. Esther is lovely as ever and holds her own with the boys. She doesn't have any aquatic numbers in this one, although she does manage to get into a bathing suit once. The romance between Esther and Gene is off. I've read that the two did not get along during filming, which probably contributes to their weak chemistry here. The real scene stealer of the picture is Betty Garrett as a man-crazy baseball fan. She's a real hoot in this. It's an enjoyable musical, for sure, but not one of my favorites from the period. The songs are good, the production is top notch, and the Technicolor is gorgeous. But there's just something missing that keeps it from being one of the best efforts from Berkeley or any of the stars.
Review of Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
(1949)
"It's going to cost you fifty bucks...baby doll."
18 December 2015