Not to be confused with the previous Gene Autry-starring film of the same name, also a tune fest, although in a quite different context. At least, Fox didn't 'steal' Autry's title song, of which there is none in this entertaining star-studed sophisticated musical romantic comedy, shot in excellent Technicolor. Once again, we are supposedly taken to some exotic romantic destination(actually, just a studio set, with a huge photo of the Canadian Rockies sometimes in the background, and a few on location background shots).
This was the only film pairing of superstars Betty Grable and Carmen Miranda, in which both had a significant part in the story. Carmen had previously done several of her trademark samba numbers, with accompanying hypnotic 'mumbo jumbo', in Betty's first Fox musical: "Down Argentine Way", but she played no part in the story, since she was still obligated for NYC performances in her previous job. Here, she again does several of her trademark samba routines. She also does an exotic version of "Chattanooga Choo Choo", in Portuguese. Otherwise, she flirts with gay blades John Payne and Cesar Romero, and well-healed middle-aged E.E. Horton.
We also have veteran stage and screen actress Charlotte Greenwood, as Betty's older friend. She played a similar role in various Fox musicals throughout the '40s, sometimes exhibiting her trademark sideways high kick, seen here. My favorite of her roles is in "Down Argentine Way", where she has a very joyous song and dance, in an informal setting.
We have a frequent male lead of this era in John Payne. As often, he's characterized as something of a heel, in some way important to the leading lady's stage career, who spends most of the film fighting with her or pining for her, sometimes acquiring an alternative girlfriend. but, we know that somehow they will get back together at the end. His early on song and dance with Betty to "Run, Little Raindrop, Run", just after a spat, is one of the highlights.
We also have two first rate supporting male actors in Cesar Romero and E.E. Horton. Cesar reprises his role in "A Weekend in Havana", as the alternative love interest of the leading lady. However, instead of his comical two-timing association with Carmen and Alice Faye, here he otherwise serves as Betty's charismatic ballroom dance partner in several scenes. Despite his classical handsome looks, charm, dancing and comedic talent , and sometimes 'nice guy' demeanor, Cesar never ended up with the leading lady in musicals of this era, presumably because of his clear Latino heritage. In any case, this was mirrored in his private life, as he never married, rumored to be gay or bisexual.
Horton was a veteran character actor, with many silent and talky film credits. Like Romero, he never married, despite a long life. Here, he becomes the seemingly unlikely object of Carmen's aggressive gold-digging romantic overtures: a role he would reprise in "The Gang's All Here", the following year: quite an amusing association. He also serves as Payne's not entirely wanted valet, unknowingly hired, along with Carmen, when Payne was supposedly drunk, on his way to try to patch things up with Betty in her new local in the Canadian Rockies.(Yes , a very contrived association!), He summarizes Payne's new pursuit of Betty(Vickie) as 'Veni, vidi, vici' (I came, saw and conquered).
The final major element is Harry James. although lacking acting talent and charisma apart from his trumpet playing, Betty apparently found him likable enough to marry subsequent to this film. Several of his best known performances were featured, including "I Had the Craziest Dream", sung by his standard vocalist of the time, Helen Forest, strangely made up as a Native American princess. Betty was reportedly miffed that she didn't get this singing role, this song serving as the de facto theme song of the film. The band is frequently heard in the background throughout the film, as well as in the featured numbers. Other notable films that featured the James orchestra or trumpet include : "Private Buckaroo", "Bathing Beauty", "I'll Get By" and the dubbing of Kick Douglas, in "Young Man with a Horn".
The productive team of Harry Warren and Mack Gordon composed most of the featured and background songs, having composed the music for several of Fox's previous musicals, including the two featuring the Glenn Miller orchestra. Warren would soon leave for MGM, but Gordon remained for another decade to write lyrics for Fox musicals.
On the whole, quite an entertaining musical and drama experience. Lots of snappy dialogue, to boot. The first half contains the bulk of the better musical numbers, while the second half is more devoted to the complicated personal relations between the principals, which you may consider excessively tedious and corny at times. However, the lengthy Latin-themed finale musical extravaganza is not to be missed. Future TV and film star Jackie Gleason has a small role, with none of his future charisma evident.
Grable and Carmen fans wonder why this prominent film of the times was shunned in their DVD set releases! Recently, it finally became available as a no-frills print-on-demand DVD. I still have my VHS.
This was the only film pairing of superstars Betty Grable and Carmen Miranda, in which both had a significant part in the story. Carmen had previously done several of her trademark samba numbers, with accompanying hypnotic 'mumbo jumbo', in Betty's first Fox musical: "Down Argentine Way", but she played no part in the story, since she was still obligated for NYC performances in her previous job. Here, she again does several of her trademark samba routines. She also does an exotic version of "Chattanooga Choo Choo", in Portuguese. Otherwise, she flirts with gay blades John Payne and Cesar Romero, and well-healed middle-aged E.E. Horton.
We also have veteran stage and screen actress Charlotte Greenwood, as Betty's older friend. She played a similar role in various Fox musicals throughout the '40s, sometimes exhibiting her trademark sideways high kick, seen here. My favorite of her roles is in "Down Argentine Way", where she has a very joyous song and dance, in an informal setting.
We have a frequent male lead of this era in John Payne. As often, he's characterized as something of a heel, in some way important to the leading lady's stage career, who spends most of the film fighting with her or pining for her, sometimes acquiring an alternative girlfriend. but, we know that somehow they will get back together at the end. His early on song and dance with Betty to "Run, Little Raindrop, Run", just after a spat, is one of the highlights.
We also have two first rate supporting male actors in Cesar Romero and E.E. Horton. Cesar reprises his role in "A Weekend in Havana", as the alternative love interest of the leading lady. However, instead of his comical two-timing association with Carmen and Alice Faye, here he otherwise serves as Betty's charismatic ballroom dance partner in several scenes. Despite his classical handsome looks, charm, dancing and comedic talent , and sometimes 'nice guy' demeanor, Cesar never ended up with the leading lady in musicals of this era, presumably because of his clear Latino heritage. In any case, this was mirrored in his private life, as he never married, rumored to be gay or bisexual.
Horton was a veteran character actor, with many silent and talky film credits. Like Romero, he never married, despite a long life. Here, he becomes the seemingly unlikely object of Carmen's aggressive gold-digging romantic overtures: a role he would reprise in "The Gang's All Here", the following year: quite an amusing association. He also serves as Payne's not entirely wanted valet, unknowingly hired, along with Carmen, when Payne was supposedly drunk, on his way to try to patch things up with Betty in her new local in the Canadian Rockies.(Yes , a very contrived association!), He summarizes Payne's new pursuit of Betty(Vickie) as 'Veni, vidi, vici' (I came, saw and conquered).
The final major element is Harry James. although lacking acting talent and charisma apart from his trumpet playing, Betty apparently found him likable enough to marry subsequent to this film. Several of his best known performances were featured, including "I Had the Craziest Dream", sung by his standard vocalist of the time, Helen Forest, strangely made up as a Native American princess. Betty was reportedly miffed that she didn't get this singing role, this song serving as the de facto theme song of the film. The band is frequently heard in the background throughout the film, as well as in the featured numbers. Other notable films that featured the James orchestra or trumpet include : "Private Buckaroo", "Bathing Beauty", "I'll Get By" and the dubbing of Kick Douglas, in "Young Man with a Horn".
The productive team of Harry Warren and Mack Gordon composed most of the featured and background songs, having composed the music for several of Fox's previous musicals, including the two featuring the Glenn Miller orchestra. Warren would soon leave for MGM, but Gordon remained for another decade to write lyrics for Fox musicals.
On the whole, quite an entertaining musical and drama experience. Lots of snappy dialogue, to boot. The first half contains the bulk of the better musical numbers, while the second half is more devoted to the complicated personal relations between the principals, which you may consider excessively tedious and corny at times. However, the lengthy Latin-themed finale musical extravaganza is not to be missed. Future TV and film star Jackie Gleason has a small role, with none of his future charisma evident.
Grable and Carmen fans wonder why this prominent film of the times was shunned in their DVD set releases! Recently, it finally became available as a no-frills print-on-demand DVD. I still have my VHS.