1h 12min | Comedy, Musical | 14 August 1953 | b/w
Director: Don Weis
Stars: Debbie Reynolds, Bobby Van, Barbara Ruick, Bob Fosse.
Alex Romero ... choreographer
1st film acting credit for BF. 1st full choreography credit in a musical for Alex Romero (only uncredited assistants before), also in the cast (as "Announcer").
There's no character named Maynard G. Krebs in this film, the Bob Denver role in the '59-'63 TV show The Many Loves of DG.
Songs performed (30 chapters, no menu):
- ch11. All I Do Is Dream of You, Performed by Debbie Reynolds and Bobby Van
- ch13. You Can't Do Wrong Doin' Right, sung/danced by Barbara Ruick, Bob Fosse, Debbie Reynolds and Bobby Van
- ch16. All I Do Is Dream of You, Performed by Debbie Reynolds and Bobby Van
- ch20. I'm Thru with Love, Performed by Bobby Van
- ch28. Believe Me If All Those Endearing Young Charms, Performed by Debbie Reynolds and Barbara Ruick
- ch29. All I Do Is Dream of You (alternate lyrics, brief), Performed by Debbie Reynolds and Bobby Van, Fosse, Ruick
AFI also lists "You Wonderful You," words by Saul Chaplin and Jack Brooks, music by Harry Warren, additional words and music by Jeff Alexander; I didn't hear it.
This is a lot of drivel to sit through for the 1 Fosse number. However, it's a great number, especially to compare the Fosse whole-body dance style against the Bobby Van classic hoofing (who again reminds me of Ray Bolger without the legomania). I'm so taken by watching that, I don't really notice DR, who's off-screen or off to the side.
The story of DR's strict parents, BV's poor academic decisions, and BR's relentless use of BF is all really horrid. Maybe it's funny to a layman, but the freshmen cutting class and plagiarizing irritates me beyond belief.
MGM, dir. Weis; 6
