1h 29min | Comedy, Musical | May 1951 | Color
Director: Walter Lang
Stars: Danny Kaye, Gene Tierney, Corinne Calvet, Marcel Dalio, Gwen Verdon.
Jack Cole ... dances stager
Third musical version of The Red Cat: Folies Bergère de Paris (1935), That Night in Rio (1941), On the Riviera (1951). Cast comparisons (*first billed):
Maurice Chevalier*::Don Ameche::Danny Kaye
Merle Oberon::Alice Faye*::Gene Tierney
Ann Sothern::Carmen Miranda::Corinne Calvet
Songs performed (21 chapters with menu):
- ch1. On the Riviera, Performed by Danny Kaye
- ch4. Duran impression with dancing by GW, DK & chorus, leading to...
- ch5. Rhythm of a New Romance, Performed by Danny Kaye, GW & chorus
- ch7. Ballin' the Jack, Performed by Danny Kaye and band, GW & chorus
- ch14. Popo the Puppet, Performed by Danny Kaye, GW & chorus
- ch20. Happy Ending, Performed by Danny Kaye, GW & chorus
As a musical, this is significant as the first appearance of GW in this quest, and this is the ethnic-blended choreography that I identify with Jack Cole (who is the DD). And this dvd includes a featurette about him, so I could probably now identify him onscreen.
This is less a musical than a comedy of deception. It's a fun deception, and DK executes it well. He dances well too. Just wish there's been more of it.
Fox, dir. Lang; 7
