Fans waiting for the ultimate film version of Broadway's greatest 1930's musical comedy will have to pray for a miracle or recall the 1987 Lincoln Center Production (with Patti LuPone) or the 2010 revival with Sutton Foster. There has not yet been the definitive movie or TV production of that tap-happy show, this production truncating the score down to four songs, the classic title song (seen on the Tony Awards for both revivals) heard only over the credits, albeit briefly. Ethel Merman repeats her Broadway role of Reno Sweeney, and shines with the material she is given, somewhat overshadowed by Bing Crosby in screen time, but every inch the leading lady as she would only do one more time with her screen version of "Call Me Madam". Crosby, as Billy Crocker, is an above average choice for the role, and adds a lot more zest than he did with most of his laid-back acting during this time. Cast mostly in forgettable formula musicals, he shows off a skill as a comic that would have to wait until he started on the "Road" with Bob Hope.
Crosby and Merman shine with the altered lyrics for "You're the Top", but it is Merman's repeat of "I Get a Kick Out of You" that is the musical highlight here, not the newly written "Shanghai De-Ho" production number finale. Of the non-Cole Porter songs written for the film, only "Sailor Beware" holds any interest. Cutting out the phenomenal "Blow Gabriel Blow!" was a drastic mistake, as was Billy's ballad, "All Through the Night", and a lively chorus number, "Buddy Beware!", although "Bon Voyage!" is heard briefly as an orchestral interlude as the ship Crosby is on sails.
Broadway's lovable Victor Moore has been replaced here by the much different Charlie Ruggles as Moonface Martin, and as much as I would have liked to have seen the chubby Moore in the part, I truly adored Ruggles in it. Grace Bradley and Ida Lupino (much different than her 1940's drama queen) are the supporting females, the essence of loveliness, yet not standing out. An assorted group of familiar character actors play the passengers and crew, most recognizably Margaret Dumont as a wealthy philanthropist passenger whose Pomeranian aids Crosby in his search for a disguise, Jack Norton as (of course) a drunk, and Robert McWade as a Bishop who is mistaken for Moonface Martin after an amusing exchange with Ruggles that includes the gem of a gag about Indo-China.
Crosby and Merman shine with the altered lyrics for "You're the Top", but it is Merman's repeat of "I Get a Kick Out of You" that is the musical highlight here, not the newly written "Shanghai De-Ho" production number finale. Of the non-Cole Porter songs written for the film, only "Sailor Beware" holds any interest. Cutting out the phenomenal "Blow Gabriel Blow!" was a drastic mistake, as was Billy's ballad, "All Through the Night", and a lively chorus number, "Buddy Beware!", although "Bon Voyage!" is heard briefly as an orchestral interlude as the ship Crosby is on sails.
Broadway's lovable Victor Moore has been replaced here by the much different Charlie Ruggles as Moonface Martin, and as much as I would have liked to have seen the chubby Moore in the part, I truly adored Ruggles in it. Grace Bradley and Ida Lupino (much different than her 1940's drama queen) are the supporting females, the essence of loveliness, yet not standing out. An assorted group of familiar character actors play the passengers and crew, most recognizably Margaret Dumont as a wealthy philanthropist passenger whose Pomeranian aids Crosby in his search for a disguise, Jack Norton as (of course) a drunk, and Robert McWade as a Bishop who is mistaken for Moonface Martin after an amusing exchange with Ruggles that includes the gem of a gag about Indo-China.