I caught this film on one of those new retro TV channels that are popping up right and left, and was immediately drawn in by the look of the film. There's something about the film stock of the 1940s to 1960s that is just gorgeous. The film was pretty obviously shot on a lot for NYC, but that helps make the lighting perfect.
The film is bit scattered about what it wants to be, although it is clearly a musical about two sisters, one gorgeous ingénue, another a much older spinster-to-be.
It's Singing in the Rain meets Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, except without anywhere near the amount of greatness of those two films.
The trajectory of the romances is oh-so-predictable, and about half the musical numbers are maudlin and unwanted. The conga-line number is fun towards the end, so yeah, if you are on the fence about musicals, I guarantee you will turn this one off.
Janet Leigh is strong, but pedestrian as the hot sister. Betty Garrett is incessantly a downer, and it's a real stretch to think that Jack Lemmon would fall for her, especially when he's seen escorting assorted gorgeous Manhattan models around earlier.
Yes, Jack Lemmon is in it, as is Dick York, as an uncharacteristic athletic protector, but he fits it well. Bob Fosse is even in here, unrecognizable as the super-straight love interest for Janet Leigh. Jack Lemmon perks interest, particularly looking young and sharp here, but his character isn't given much to do, which is a serious waste.
I blame whoever produced and wrote this film for its failure to be a lasting classic, because it isn't. However, it's not a bad film, but for the high Hollywood standards of the time, the plot and interest level of this picture somehow slipped past, and it's pretty much phoned in.
That said, its top-notch production values, occasionally impressive dance numbers (including Fosse) make it watchable (if you're kind of paying attention to something else.)
The film is bit scattered about what it wants to be, although it is clearly a musical about two sisters, one gorgeous ingénue, another a much older spinster-to-be.
It's Singing in the Rain meets Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, except without anywhere near the amount of greatness of those two films.
The trajectory of the romances is oh-so-predictable, and about half the musical numbers are maudlin and unwanted. The conga-line number is fun towards the end, so yeah, if you are on the fence about musicals, I guarantee you will turn this one off.
Janet Leigh is strong, but pedestrian as the hot sister. Betty Garrett is incessantly a downer, and it's a real stretch to think that Jack Lemmon would fall for her, especially when he's seen escorting assorted gorgeous Manhattan models around earlier.
Yes, Jack Lemmon is in it, as is Dick York, as an uncharacteristic athletic protector, but he fits it well. Bob Fosse is even in here, unrecognizable as the super-straight love interest for Janet Leigh. Jack Lemmon perks interest, particularly looking young and sharp here, but his character isn't given much to do, which is a serious waste.
I blame whoever produced and wrote this film for its failure to be a lasting classic, because it isn't. However, it's not a bad film, but for the high Hollywood standards of the time, the plot and interest level of this picture somehow slipped past, and it's pretty much phoned in.
That said, its top-notch production values, occasionally impressive dance numbers (including Fosse) make it watchable (if you're kind of paying attention to something else.)