Reviews

I've always thought this was a great musical and saw it in 3D over 30 years ago. In 2D it was great--in 3D it's a wonder. Now that it is available on DVD in 3D it is a must. I bought my 3D TV 5 years ago hoping they would release this film in 3D. It here and it's great-- probably the best movie ever made in 3D. The depth of 3D is amazing, the film frame just disappears in the 1:75 DVD release (there is no picture loss in widescreen), and the print that is used is flawless-- even better than the 2D version that accompanies it. Fabulous stereo sound that sounds like it was recorded yesterday. A brilliant musical with great performances in a adaptation that is even better than the stage show. Trivia--Kathryn Grayson's red wig in the Kate sequences looks exactly like the wig worn by Eleanor Parker in "Scaramouche" from earlier in 1953.

This is definitely a "B" movie churned out by RKO to fill its theaters. It is a very good B movie with lots of talented people who didn't get a lot of exposure. The most famous name is Betty Grable and a fading overage Buddy Rogers. The musical numbers are well staged (by Hermes Pan) and lively, are very witty, and due to Johnny Mercer, who is one of the stars, has some very good lyrics. The plot is nonsense and doesn't get in the way of the musical numbers. I only wish college had been like this. Did every college have an ice cream shop? The opening titles are very interestingly staged. Eric Blore is amusing and gets to explain the difference between male and female fleas. Erik Rhodes does his Italian thing, and George Barbier as Buddy's father seems to be enjoying himself. You will too.

This film is an interesting curio of the progress of early sound films and the musical glut that killed off the genre for several years. The original film (in Technicolor--no longer) is lavish and is very much an operetta with sung dialogue, connecting musical sequences, and musical underscoring. It's all way-overplayed and the morals on display are rather questionable. What is interesting is the continuity of music and scenes, outdoor recording and camera work, camera movement, and tracking shots which required pre-or post recording after the film had been finished. The whole picture is edited and recorded very professionally probably by the most advanced studio in these techniques at the time. The film is technically impressive and if you're into old movies its worth 63 minutes of your time.

Rosalind Russell was one of Hollywood's most talented actresses and this movie puts her through all the emotions. She has witty lines, ala Auntie Mame and heart-wrenching scenes as when a cast member commits suicide. A very good and different script by Leo Rosten helps make for a plausible and entertaining film. All of the cast is great, including Claire Trevor who, if she hadn't won for "Key Largo" the same year, should have been nominated for her small but very effective part. But, it's Russell's film and she gives another great dramatic performance. Enjoy this highly underrated film. Like "Repeat Performance" from the same year, you won't forget this film.

Interesting travelogue, sort of like Cinerama travelogues of the time, with a storyline. The recent showing on TCM was in wide-screen Technirama, probably the only film produced by RKO made in this process. Universal acquired the film for distribution after RKO closed. The titles indicate the film was shot entirely in Japan and for the first time at Japanese cultural and religious shrines which look great in wide-screen. The exteriors look similar to Sayonara (also 1957) during a period when Japan/American relationships were on the mend. Everyone is really nice to one another. Good, colorful family movie, good production values, some spectacular scenery and great print.

A strange film that is alternately stiff and fluid. Johnny MacBrown is no kid--more like 30. His acting is fairly amateurish but some lines have been well-rehearsed. Outdoor scenes are impressive but the indoor scenes are pure early-talkie confinement. Beery and the subsidiary actors seem to have the talkie thing down pat. Some of the action scenes were probably more impressive in 70mm and the outdoor recording is very good considering the sound limitations. Nasty revenge storyline where Billy justifies his many killings, but he's sure a nice guy about it. There are many killings and lots of mayhem. Some of the comedy lines between Mr. Butterworth and Mr. Hatfield are incredibly corny considering the circumstances. "The Big Trail" is a much better film from the same year and is still available in its impressive 70mm version. You have to really like westerns to appreciate "Billy The Kid", but there are lots of devoted followers.

This rarely seen musical gets a bad rap probably because its as silly as it gets. It's not what audiences expected or could accept from MGM in 1948 or now. It starts silly and ends silly, and has equal amounts of good and bad in-between. The writers had a basic idea of Sinatra being weak-willed (similar to parts in Anchors Aweigh and On The Town) so it's not totally different than his other early films. The story meanders all over the place with comedy and musical sequences, a bizarre whip dance with Sono Osato (whose character doesn't show up again) and a total dud of a song called "Siesta". Movie rules: never have a musical number where everyone falls asleep on-screen; the audience will follow. Everyone works hard, especially the excellent character actors, and its tough to create the silly atmosphere. What can't be faulted are the outstanding MGM production values, the excellent "Love is Where You Find It" sung by Grayson and the generally good songs. This movie sat on MGM's shelf from 1947 with an eventual release at the end of 1948 due to poor audience previews and attempts to salvage the film. MGM added the "Fiesta" dance with Cyd Charisse, Ricardo Montalban, and Ann Miller after production ended to spice things up and it's probably the best thing in the movie. It's exciting, the music is propulsive, and the dancing and costumes are beautiful. The movie is cute, deluxe and enjoyable and certainly better many musicals of the period.

I saw Oklahoma! in its original TODD-AO release at the Egyptian theater in Hollywood in early 1956. Since then I've seen it in all its versions, Cinemascope and Todd-AO, including the TODD-AO re-release at the Egyptian theater in 1985 where it was shown on the original curved TODD-AO screen built for that theater. Seeing the movie on a big screen is a truly amazing experience, almost like seeing a great film made even greater by the large screen. Seeing the film Pan/Scan and in widescreen on TV is nowhere near the large screen experience. It is now shown rarely, if ever on large screens, but the recent restored version (available on Blu-Ray) made from the very degraded 70MM negatives was first shown at the Chinese in Hollywood at the 2014 Turner Festival and in May 2015 at the Academy Awards theater in Beverly Hills. At that showing, the restorers were present and told the audience that the film was so rushed into its premier in New York that apparently no inter-negatives were made which is why restoring the film was so difficult. The restoration is truly great and the large format showings give you a greater appreciation of this excellent musical. As others reviewers have stated, the music,performances, photography, and production are unparalleled. The IMDb listing does not list the incredible 6 track stereo used in the TODD-AO version which sounds like it was recorded yesterday--the 4 track Cinemascope version pales by comparison. 60 years later, it is still the best and most impressive musical of them all. Ask your local theater to schedule at least one showing on a big screen. You'll see why all these reviewers appreciate this great musical.

This outstanding movie from 1938 is still relevant and can stand as excellent entertainment for today' audiences. Great for young and old there are thrills and sadness combined with comedy and great characters. Not a point is missed in Norman Taurog's direction--he was a specialist with children--and the timing is superb. The newly restored color is excellent as is James Wong Howe's camera-work and William Cameron Menzies set designs. The children's acting is totally convincing and Tommy Kelley as Tom Sawyer is great. The film has probably once of the best ending tag lines of all movies. Once you see this movie you'll never forget it.

A catastrophe! I like a lot of early sound films but this is to awful to describe. An incoherent mess that Warner's pulled before release and retitled "Adventures In Africa." This was an improvement on the original title. Having read a Barbara Stanwyck biography, I wanted to see Frank Fay's performance. You can see why his movie career failed. Some reviewers point to this movie as a transitional sound film and it might be better in it's original lost Technicolor print. Color would only point out the garish sets and costumes and Gong Show performances. Don't waste part of your life on this. If you want to see an entertaining musical from this period wait for TCM to show "Sally" or "Spring Is Here".

I've had a VHS copy of this for years from the early days of the Z channel. I had seen it even earlier than that and it was memorable. I've always found it fascinating, with an unusual plot line. Great Broadway background. I'm glad it's finally been restored. The old print badly restoration. I can't wait to see this released on DVD. Excellent performances all around. A real stunner for Joan Leslie who was never better. Hopefully she can provide a commentary track and how she got involved with this project. I'd heard about the restoration as there must be a lot of fans. See this one. Apparently I have to write ten lines so I hope this suffices.

A truly great film, unlike anything you've ever seen. Hilarious, complicated, delightful and a musical. So original that I've never seen anything this different. Great direction by Rene Clair. It's easy to see the Chaplin and/or Clair influences including chase sequences, fight sequences, opera spoofs. An early sound/silent blend that is masterfully done. Unique and entertaining with great performances. This movie contains all the elements of comedy, music, farce, and timing. A must see, you will not be disappointed! Charming and thoroughly enjoyable. Excellent restoration print. Easy to read subtitles that match the musical text.

This is a truly great production of a truly great musical. If you ever wondered why Showboat is so famous this production will show you why. If you're only experience is the splashy (but flat) 1951 film version, or even the much better 1936 version, get ready for a revelation. This show is moving and sincerely and beautifully performed. I just finished watching my 1989 tape of the broadcast, which unfortunately is grainy but in stereo which I transferred to a DVD. But the sincerity and exuberance of the performances shine right through. I wish someone would put this out on a professional DVD (along with Crazy For You) but there are probably copyright or ownership problems. PBS and the Paley TV museum probably have a copy. It is memorable and probably the best version of Show Boat you'll see and that this great show deserves.

I've seen this movie a number of times over the last 40 years (though it's rarely shown on TV). It can only be described as "Enchanting". Beautiful Technicolor photography by Charles Clarke with very unusual use of lighting and shadows. Some scenes are almost exclusively shot in silhouette. You won't see more beautiful color effects. The story is very light but truly enjoyable. Filled with music, it's almost a musical. The music very effectively highlights the story and sets the period (1920s). Excellent performances all around. Direction by the great Henry King is sensitive and touching. It's the overall effect that is so delightful. If I recall from an old AMC showing, the outdoor scenes were shot in Reno, Nevada (you can see the Sierra Nevada's in the background). Also, this was a short-lived TV show in the late 1950's--early 1960'S. This is one of my favorites movies and hopefully yours. Enjoy!