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gloandwar
Reviews
Stormy Weather (1943)
Absolutely a masterpiece of music and dance
With all the horror and violence out there what a great pleasure to revisit pure entertainment and first rate talent. It just doesn't miss a beat! Too bad we couldn't get another number from Fats Waller. Would love to know what scenes were cut with Eddie (Rochester)Anderson.
If ever a musical should be colorized (no comments now), this is the one. I watched it immediately a second time and the only discomfort I had was watching the Nicholas Brothers do those flying splits down the steps (ouch). If the story line appears thin, doesn't matter. Can you imagine the "Cakewalk" number in color? Diga Diga Doo in color? Tom Tom number and finale with Cab Calloway in color? Heck, I'm gonna watch it again right now in black and white!
Deep in My Heart (1954)
(Almost) completely forgotten Broadway musical genius !
If you doubt the summary comment, ask a few of your friends under the age of 55 if they've heard of Sigmund Romberg (Sigmund who)? Since I took piano lessons as a kid - I did - yet when I stumbled upon this film in my local library I thought "when did this come out" (I was in the service overseas at the time). I was totally blown away by the musical score and the performances. By the way, this is about the only musical film I've seen structured as a Broadway musical play - overture through finale. The last number of the first act, so the speak, was Jane Powell and Vic Damone singing "Will you Remember" from "Maytime". This show was such a success a second company opened across the street - only time in Broadway history!
See for yourself, then try to find "The Student Prince" and watch that - and listen. He composed about 600 or 700 songs for Broadway. By the way, did you know Gene Kelly had a song and dance man brother? You'll see them together the only time in "Deep in my Heart"
The Hairy Ape (1944)
forgotten masterpiece
I dare anyone who watches this film to take his or her eyes off William Bendix even for a moment. For anyone who remembers him as the bumbling sidekick in those old war movies and the miscast role as Babe Ruth and humorous radio's Life of Riley - will be amazed at this multifaceted role as the stevedore shoveling coal who ends up showing more character in his little finger than all the rest. Why he was not even nominated for Best Actor category must have been a disappointment. I read somewhere Eugene O'Neill disliked the movie (maybe because it had a happy ending!)
I caught this film on channel 13 wee hours on a Sunday morning.