1h 29min | Comedy, Fantasy, Musical | 24 August 1948
Directors: Ernst Lubitsch, Otto Preminger (uncredited)
Stars: Betty Grable, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Cesar Romero.
Hermes Pan ... choreographer
Angela Blue ... assistant choreographer (uncredited)
bootleg, very blurry
4 songs in the Soundtracks; BG only waltzes with DF.
This is a bizarre entry in BG's filmography. She really doesn't show her legs, despite the poster. She doesn't tap. But it's actually a bit of a feminist film, because women save the day (BG and her ancestor 300 years earlier).
The Fantasy genre attaches from the ancestors (seemingly) coming to life, but they don't really interact with the present day world of the story. And it's all very muddy how much is whose dream.
One jaw-dropping aspect is the CR character. He and BG are just married as the film begins, and he is clearly nervous about the wedding night. When the enemy nears the castle, he manages to convince BG that he should flee. When he returns, he's dressed as a gypsy, earrings and all. What's so astonishing? CR was gay in real life, and while he frequently played debonair, he usually avoided such definite fear/avoidance of women on film. In real life he enjoyed social/ballroom dancing (did some onscreen too), which I think meant contact with women in those days.
DF is charming and, of course, handsome. I've seen worse performances from him.
DF is charming and, of course, handsome. I've seen worse performances from him.
Maybe this is not as interesting as I think, and I'm giving too much allowance for the blurry print. But I think it's near time to purchase the official release.
Fox, dir. Lubitsch, Preminger; 7-
