2h | Biography, Comedy, Musical | 9 December 1948 | Color
Director: Norman Taurog
Stars: Mickey Rooney, Tom Drake, Perry Como, Ann Sothern, Cyd Charisse, Betty Garrett, Janet Leigh, Marshall Thompson, Jeanette Nolan, Richard Quine, and stars as themselves: June Allyson, Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly, Vera-Ellen.
Robert Alton ... choreographer
In the Tap! Appendix for June Allyson, Hal Bell, Blackburn Twins,Vera-Ellen, Gene Kelly, Ann Sothern.
Hal Bell is not in the IMDb credits; he has dance credits, and was a stunt double for Jerry Lewis in later films. Perhaps he's the shooter in the Slaughter on Fifth Avenue number? He's a bit big to double JL, but maybe he slimmed down by '60. I've seen his prior acting credits during this quest, but he's always billed just as "dancer." His final acting credit is Annie Get Your Gun ('50).
2nd of 9 films for Betty Garrett, 1st of 5 musicals.
Jeanette Nolan (b. '11) plays MR's (b. '20) mother; her 2nd of 38 films, plus 296 TV episodes.
Last of 4 films for Perry Como.
1st MGM film for VE; her 5th of 14 films; only 1 was not a music/al. Her 1st at MGM.
Songs performed (all by R&H; 29 chapters with menu):
- ch3. Manhattan, From the musical "The Garrick Gaieties" (1925), Performed by Mickey Rooney, Tom Drake (dubbed by Bill Lee) and Marshall Thompson
- ch5. There's a Small Hotel, From the musical "On Your Toes" (1936), Sung by Betty Garrett
- ch9. Where's That Rainbow?, From the musical "Peggy-Ann" (1926), Sung and Danced by Ann Sothern, with Ramon Blackburn and Royce Blackburn
- ch6. Mountain Greenery, From the musical "The Garrick Gaieties II" (1926), Sung by Perry Como
- ch8. Way Out West, portion Sung by Betty Garrett
- ch11. On Your Toes, From the musical "On Your Toes" (1936), Sung by Cyd Charisse (dubbed by Eileen Wilson) and Dee Turnell (dubbed)
- ch11. This Can't Be Love, From the musical "The Boys from Syracuse" (1938), Danced by Cyd Charisse and Dee Turnell with ballerinas
- ch13. Blue Room, From the musical "The Girl Friend" (1926), Sung by Perry Como, danced by Cyd Charisse
- ch15. Thou Swell, From the musical "A Connecticut Yankee" (1927), Performed by June Allyson, Ramon Blackburn and Royce Blackburn (dubbed by Pete Roberts and Eugene Cox)
- ch16. With a Song In My Heart, Performed by Tom Drake (dubbed by Bill Lee)
- ch17. Where or When, From the musical "Babes In Arms" (1937), Performed by Lena Horne
- ch18. The Lady Is a Tramp, From the musical "Babes in Arms" (1937), Performed by Lena Horne
- ch21. I Wish I Were in Love Again, From the musical "Babes In Arms" (1937), Performed by Judy Garland and Mickey Rooney
- ch22. Johnny One Note, From the musical "Babes In Arms" (1937), Performed by Judy Garland
- ch23. Blue Moon (did not appear in any Rogers & Hart shows), Sung by Mel Tormé
- ch26. Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, From the musical "On Your Toes" (1936), Danced by Gene Kelly, Vera-Ellen, and uncredited dancers, Performed by The MGM Symphony Orchestra conducted by Lennie Hayton
- ch28. With a Song in My Heart (Reprise), Sung by Perry Como
As a collection of R&H songs, this is ok. Certainly Lena Horne's songs, and the dance by GK & VE are treasures. 3 other production numbers have dancing that's fun to watch. But Pal Joey ('57) is my favorite collection of R&H songs (they used additional songs from other R&H shows.)
Rated 6 on 2015-03-30, it deserves a + for the highlights. I agree that it's not fun overall: Lorenz Hart is a tragic figure, and I don't like MR.
MGM, dir. Taurog; 6+
