1h 20min | Comedy, Musical, Romance | 31 December 1945
Director: Lewis Seiler
Stars: Vivian Blaine, Dennis O'Keefe, Perry Como, Carmen Miranda.
Kenny Williams ... choreographer
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0037650/
This feels like a major demotion for VB & CM to be in a black and white movie. Perhaps this is a post-war decision, that audiences didn't need color to boost morale anymore. Or maybe it's a lack of confidence in a Gypsy Rose Lee-penned play, or its subject matter. (Her prior and first writing credit, Lady of Burlesque was in '43. Her 3rd and final is Gypsy ('62), each produced by different studios.) CM has only 1 more Fox film, in '46, also VB & PC top-billed, also b/w; this is 15th of her 20 film credits. This is VB's 9th of 19 films, and she makes only 2 more for Fox. So the demotion theory holds water.
The Soundtracks lists 6 songs with 3 reprises: 1 without a performer, and only 1 by CM. She really dances here, and has a male partner shorter than she, while she is BAREFOOT. The dvd includes another number with her (She Was Always True to the Navy), and her turban has a lighthouse on top. The collar suggest a sailor uniform, so I'd guess the gown is (a very shiny) navy blue. Don't miss the rope-shaped bracelet.
Perry Como gets 2 duets and a solo that becomes a dance number for the chorus. He also acts in the backstage story. He's so young and pretty, but his quiet personality is better suited for TV, where he had a variety show '48-'67.
DO again does not dance at all. Former chorus boy for years, and not an ankle shaken.
Twice a burlesque woman (don't remember if VB was one, or if it was Martha Stewart both times) does a very bad job of swinging 1) a fur boa or 2) the stage curtain. Bad because it's not properly timed to the music. Barbara Stanwyck did a much better job of both in Lady of Burlesque.
This is pleasant, but the plot is not very interesting, or maybe it's just not well executed.
Fox, dir. Seiler; 6
