Rodgers & Hammerstein team up with Alfred Newman to produce an overly long old fashioned musical in the early 1960's. In a way, this might be one of the reasons the musical declined in the 1960's though there would be many others from Bye Bye Birdie to Star later on. What happens here is that there had been so many Rodger's & Hammerstein musicals by now that the public had grown tired of them. Then, when you make this one as long as it is, it kind of reminds me of when we had a streak in the 1950's of too many films about ancient Rome & Greece. Enough is enough sometimes.
When I discovered this film on TCM, there are some good points. Robert Osborne points out that prior to the 1960's, this movie would not have been made with this cast due to Hollywoods studio system. Nancy Kwan would not have been allowed to be the star as Hollywood would have tried to put someone who was a really well known star in that place.
Kwan, coming off a major successful movie role with William Holden the year before deserves top billing here. Quite frankly it would have been sickening to see a Hollywood star actress in this role.
What really impressed me about this film are the number of beautiful women in the production numbers. This movie leads the way in what I'd call eye candy as all of them look fantastic. Just looking at them pull off this successful Broadway show is worth the viewing. The costumes are excellent in showing off their beauty too.
Women's Liberation caused this film to get shelved & the decline of the musical helped. Between the women & Jack Soo, there are plenty of good points about it that make it worth looking at. The opening artistic credits & then the San Francisco Bay Bridge at the end of them get it off to a good start.
When I discovered this film on TCM, there are some good points. Robert Osborne points out that prior to the 1960's, this movie would not have been made with this cast due to Hollywoods studio system. Nancy Kwan would not have been allowed to be the star as Hollywood would have tried to put someone who was a really well known star in that place.
Kwan, coming off a major successful movie role with William Holden the year before deserves top billing here. Quite frankly it would have been sickening to see a Hollywood star actress in this role.
What really impressed me about this film are the number of beautiful women in the production numbers. This movie leads the way in what I'd call eye candy as all of them look fantastic. Just looking at them pull off this successful Broadway show is worth the viewing. The costumes are excellent in showing off their beauty too.
Women's Liberation caused this film to get shelved & the decline of the musical helped. Between the women & Jack Soo, there are plenty of good points about it that make it worth looking at. The opening artistic credits & then the San Francisco Bay Bridge at the end of them get it off to a good start.