Reviews

Most good TV shows need a few episodes before they come together. I'm really hoping this is one of them. The first episode had a lot of potential it just didn't quite reach - but I have hope that it improves quickly. In its favor - Bradley Whitford, characters that aren't stereotypes, some clearly good singers, and an overall positive message. As someone who has been in a number of choirs before, I'll be interested to see how realistic this turns out to be.

I gave up after 20 minutes - which was 19 minutes, 59 seconds too long. Unfunny, forced, stereotypical characters, painful scenarios - don't waste your time. Watching paint dry would be more entertaining than this.

Granted, Leslie Caron is NOT Cinderella, but I did like Michael Wilding (even though he seemed a bit old for the part), and Estelle Winwood was fantastic. I did like some of the twists, especially the use of subterfuge vs. magic (Ella "Borrows" a dress, rather than having her godmother "Create" one for her). But mostly, I agree with dinky-4, the song "Climbing Rose" is what I remember most about the movie. I'm hoping the score has been released on CD, but haven't found it so far.

By the way, if anyone knows where I can get the sheet music and/or CD for that song, please let me know! I've been looking for the music for what seems like forever!

Saw this recently on PBS, and LOVED it! I'd seen Garbo in a couple movies before, but none that really made it clear what a good actress she was. She IS Christina.

As for the movie itself, it's a MUST! One of the most erotic scenes I've ever seen in movies takes place in the inn, where Garbo and Gilbert are snowed in. No clothes are removed, only a couple kisses are exchanged, but they give off palpable heat -- forget sparks flying, these two could start fires without matches! (I wish modern movies could learn from this, that you don't need to see thrashing naked bodies to show passion. I got frissons watching this scene.)

As for the "lesbian" scene, it's open to interpretation. Personally, I saw only a friendship between a queen and her lady-in-waiting.

Not as snappy as the first two, but still a good flick. William Powell and Myrna Loy are again perfect as Nick and Nora, Asta again steals the movie, and new baby Nicky Jr. is a sweetie. By the way, watch for Shemp Howard making an uncredited appearance.

if only to see Julie Andrews sing again. Granted, it's only two or three notes (in a duet with Michael Crawford), and they show how much the voice has deteriorated, but it was a heroic effort and well worth the standing ovation Ms. Andrews received. What was sweet was seeing just how touched Mr. Crawford was by her ovation. He was teary eyed, and I suspect he was not the only one -- I know I sniffled a bit.

Overall, this is an interesting production showcasing love songs from Broadway's greatest shows. Some songs are better than others, some better performed than others, but a good chance to get an idea of why live shows are well worth the price of admission.

Doris Day was never my favorite (too cutesy), but she did well in this movie. Martha Raye and Jimmy Durante were under utilized but still managed to steal the movie. Stephen Boyd I barely remember, except he was handsome enough to serve as Ms. Day's latest love interest. My biggest quibble was the extra-extended finale. To me, the movie could have ended nearly 15 minutes sooner than it did. The entire "clown" sequence at the end was not only disappointing, it left a sour taste that has lingered ever since when I think of the movie. My suggestion would be to watch it until that scene, then fast forward to the very end.