Wealthy horse ranchers in Buenos Aires have a long-standing no-trading policy with the Crawford's of Manhattan, but what happens when the mustachioed Latin son falls for a certain Crawford with bright eyes, blonde hair, and some perky moves on the dance floor? 20th Century-Fox musical has a glossy veneer yet seems tatty around the edges. It's very heavy on dancing over story--frenetic, gymnastics-like dancing. Betty Grable (an 11th hour replacement for Alice Faye) gives it a boost, even though she's paired with leaden Don Ameche (in tan makeup and slick hair). Also good: Charlotte Greenwood as Betty's pithy aunt. There's also a funny limousine driver who's constantly asleep on the job and Carmen Miranda playing herself (what else?). The stock shots of Argentina far outclass the action filmed on the Fox lot, and some of the supporting performances are quite awful. By the time of the big horserace finale, most viewers will have had enough. Three Oscar nominations: Leon Shamroy and Ray Rennahan for their color cinematography, Richard Day and Joseph C. Wright for their art direction, and for the title song composed by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon. *1/2 from ****
Review of Down Argentine Way
