Words and Music (1948)Fictionalized story of the songwriting partnership of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. Director:Norman Taurog |
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Words and Music (1948)Fictionalized story of the songwriting partnership of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. Director:Norman Taurog |
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| June Allyson | ... | ||
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Perry Como | ... |
Eddie Lorrison Anders /
Himself
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| Judy Garland | ... |
Herself
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| Lena Horne | ... |
Herself
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| Gene Kelly | ... |
Himself
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| Mickey Rooney | ... |
Lorenz Hart
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| Ann Sothern | ... |
Joyce Harmon
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Tom Drake | ... |
Richard Rodgers
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| Cyd Charisse | ... |
Margo Grant
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| Betty Garrett | ... |
Peggy Lorgan McNeil
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| Janet Leigh | ... | ||
| Marshall Thompson | ... |
Herbert Fields
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| Mel Tormé | ... |
Himself
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| Vera-Ellen | ... |
Herself
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| Jeanette Nolan | ... |
Mrs. Hart
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Encomium to Larry Hart (1895-1943), seen through the fictive eyes of his song-writing partner, Richard Rodgers (1902-1979): from their first meeting, through lean years and their breakthrough, to their successes on Broadway, London, and Hollywood. We see the fruits of Hart and Rodgers' collaboration - elaborately staged numbers from their plays, characters' visits to night clubs, and impromptu performances at parties. We also see Larry's scattered approach to life, his failed love with Peggy McNeil, his unhappiness, and Richard's successful wooing of Dorothy Feiner. Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>
During the 1940's, MGM produced a number of All-Star musicals. The most notable being The Ziegfeld Follies, Till the Clouds Roll By, and Words and Music. The Ziegfeld film is most remembered for its comedy routines: Fanny Brice, Red Skelton, Victor Moore, and Judy Garland's satirical "The Great Lady Gives an Interview". The other two films are idealized biographies of Jerome Kern ("Clouds") and Rodgers and Hart ("Words"), of which the latter is far and away the more entertaining. The Kern film followed closely on the death of the revered composer and is too respectful for its own good. "Words and Music", on the other hand, benefits greatly from the presence of Mickey Rooney (as Larry Hart) and the always delightful Betty Garrett. But, most of all, it's the wide variety of songs that Rodgers and Hart produced that make it such a joy to watch. From June Allyson's lively "Thou Swell" (a highlight in her career) to the dramatic "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" ballet with Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen (a forerunner of the sensual ballet's that Kelly performed in "An American in Paris" and "Singing in the Rain". And of course, there's the wonderful (and final) teaming of Rooney and Judy Garland (the amusing "I Wish I Were in Love Again").
From beginning to end, this is the best of MGM. Don't miss it.