1h 40min | Comedy, Musical | 10 March 1950 | Color
Director: Robert Z. Leonard
Stars: Ann Sothern, Jane Powell, Barry Sullivan, Carmen Miranda, Louis Calhern.
Nick Castle ... choreographer
Remake of It's a Date (1940, Universal), sharing the source story. Cast comparison (in '50 order; DD got top billing in '40):
Kay Francis::Ann Sothern (b. 1909)
Deanna Durbin::Jane Powell (b. '29, playing 17)
Walter Pidgeon::Barry Sullivan (b. 1912)
Hawaii::Rio
I don't remember a pregnancy plot in '40. Is this a Dore Schary effect (he became head of production in '48)? Maybe it was in the source story, and Universal didn't want to saddle DD with it.
It's nice that both mother and daughter can sing, although we only get 1 number from AS, plus a duet with JP (&LC?) We also get numbers from CM, whose profession is unclear; aren't BS & CM in the coffee business? Then why does she do a big production number at a nightclub? (They weren't afraid of too many colors blurry with movement in that one.) Soundtracks is missing performers; maybe work on that next time.
JP dances in her finale; was she training for this, or did the studios just ignore that talent before? She's not terrific, but competent.
The special features (shorts) on this disc don't play; I see & feel a scratch on the disc.
The film is enjoyable for the musical performances, the color/costumes, and JP/AS/CM as personalities. The "romance" of mother/daughter with BS is tacky, especially since he seems to be group-dating them (with grandpa Louis Calhern and CM.) I complained about that on the '40 film too. Previously rated Netflix 3/5.
MGM, dir. Leonard; 6+
