Here's another musical biopic hampered by a trite and uninteresting story-line. In the early stages of the film it's hard to tell the two sisters apart, but it soon becomes clear which one Betty Grable is portraying. We are glad that Alice Faye was not induced to come out of retirement and allow herself to be upstaged by Grable. Neither of the sisters as portrayed here display much of the bounce and vitality that made them a yesterfore household word. They are written and played as rather bland, colorless, penny-pinching, naive, selfish, not over-bright go-getters who can sing and shimmy adequately and can display an attractive limb or two.
As the romantic lead, Mr. Payne is even more painful and perfunctory than usual, though he does have one or two lively moments (I guess he can't be blamed too much, not even Larry Olivier could make that railway station scene seem convincing); and would you believe it, he sings TWO reprises of his songs.
As usual in films of this type, aside from the gorgeously colored photography, the most interesting thing about the film is the musical numbers - and that is certainly the case here. Interesting is right, but not altogether likeable, two of the numbers are extraordinarily grotesque, providing an unexpected feast for students of the really bizarre. Otherwise the direction is as humdrum and routine as the plot.
The usual fine gallery of support players liven the proceedings, led by the delightful Trudy Marshall as Payne's girlfriend, and Frank Latimore who brings a welcome touch of asperity to an otherwise routine role. Despite his prominence in the billing, Sakall's part is small, but enough to satisfy his admirers.
And at least this movie was expansively produced.
As the romantic lead, Mr. Payne is even more painful and perfunctory than usual, though he does have one or two lively moments (I guess he can't be blamed too much, not even Larry Olivier could make that railway station scene seem convincing); and would you believe it, he sings TWO reprises of his songs.
As usual in films of this type, aside from the gorgeously colored photography, the most interesting thing about the film is the musical numbers - and that is certainly the case here. Interesting is right, but not altogether likeable, two of the numbers are extraordinarily grotesque, providing an unexpected feast for students of the really bizarre. Otherwise the direction is as humdrum and routine as the plot.
The usual fine gallery of support players liven the proceedings, led by the delightful Trudy Marshall as Payne's girlfriend, and Frank Latimore who brings a welcome touch of asperity to an otherwise routine role. Despite his prominence in the billing, Sakall's part is small, but enough to satisfy his admirers.
And at least this movie was expansively produced.