Three Little Words (1950)The story of the successful Tin Pan Alley songwriting team of Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby is told loosely and lightheartedly. Director:Richard ThorpeWriter:George Wells (screenplay) |
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Three Little Words (1950)The story of the successful Tin Pan Alley songwriting team of Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby is told loosely and lightheartedly. Director:Richard ThorpeWriter:George Wells (screenplay) |
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| Complete credited cast: | |||
| Fred Astaire | ... |
Bert Kalmar
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| Red Skelton | ... | ||
| Vera-Ellen | ... |
Jessie Brown Kalmar
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| Arlene Dahl | ... |
Eileen Percy
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| Keenan Wynn | ... |
Charlie Kope
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Gale Robbins | ... |
Terry Lordel
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| Gloria DeHaven | ... |
Mrs. Carter De Haven
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Phil Regan | ... |
Himself
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Harry Shannon | ... |
Clanahan
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| Debbie Reynolds | ... |
Helen Kane
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Paul Harvey | ... |
Al Masters
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Carleton Carpenter | ... |
Dan Healy
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George Metkovich | ... |
Al Schacht
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Harry Mendoza | ... |
Himself
(as The Great Mendoza)
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Song-and-dance man Bert Kalmar can't continue his stage career after an injury for while, so he has to earn his money as a lyricst. Per chance he meets composer Harry Ruby and their first song is a hit. Ruby gets Kalmar to marry is former partner Jessie Brown, and Kalmar and Jessie prevent Ruby from getting married to the wrong girls. But due to the fact, that Ruby has caused a backer's withdrawal for a Kalmar play, they end their relation. Written by Stephan Eichenberg <eichenbe@fak-cbg.tu-muenchen.de>
After seeing all the overstuffed musical biographies which pay homage to Kern, Rodgers, Hart, Gershwin, and the like, this one is a breath of fresh air as it is much simpler and more basic in its construction. Its two main leads (Fred Astaire and Red Skelton) do not take the material over-the-top; instead they underplay, and in Skelton's case, he is so subdued that he reveals a wonderful, sensitive, acting talent. The musical numbers, of course ("Who's Sorry Now?" "Nevertheless," "Sunny Tennessee," "I Wanna Be Loved By You," "Three Little Words"), speak for themselves. And Astaire and Vera-Ellen are perfection on the dance floor- and no less than *three* times: in the tuxedoed duet "Where Did You Get That Girl?"; a tongue-in-cheek homage to dance domesticity- "Mr. & Mrs. Hoofer;" and the best moment- a tender, romantic adagio in an elaborate stateroom, "Thinking of You." There is also fine support from gorgeous redhead Arlene Dahl and spirited brunette Gloria DeHaven. And, of course, there is Debbie Reynolds (a full year before 'Singing In The Rain') performing as Helen Kane- with singing voice provided by Kane herself!!