Anyone up for a remake of Roberta? I like the original just fine, but since I love Kathryn Grayson and Howard Keel, I was pretty excited to see what they'd do with it. The story has a few changes, and unfortunately, not for the better. Instead of giving Aunt Roberta a sentimental character and a touching death scene, she's already passed on by the time the movie starts. Instead of taking over the clothing line, the male inheritor (Red Buttons) wants to gather up money to put on a show with his pals. It's a glorified "Let's put on a show" movie, but with songs from another musical thrown in. Kathryn Grayson gets to sing "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and Howard Keel gets to serenade her with "Lovely to Look At." The story itself, as well as the characters, aren't that fantastic, though.
Howard Keel plays a total jerk in this movie, so have another of his movies handy to watch afterwards and restore your high opinion of him. He's a smooth talker who soaks his friends for all they're worth. He's constantly borrowing money from Buttons, and he talks him into using his inheritance for his own Broadway dreams. Ann Miller is his sweetie pie, but when she's away, he quickly starts romancing Kathryn Grayson-even though Buttons saw and fell for her first. Red Buttons is his usual sympathetic, sweet self, so you'll be rooting for him time and again.
There are ups and downs to the movie, depending on how much you like the cast members. If you love Ann Miller, you'll enjoy seeing her tap dance to "I'll Be Hard to Handle." If you don't, you'll sigh your way through it. The same goes for Red Buttons' monologue about a drunk Irishman. My favorite part was Marge and Gower Champion's "I Won't Dance" number. It's even cuter than in the original, and that's quite a compliment! With Marge's confidence, and Gower's good looks, it's a wonder why they didn't make more movies.
Howard Keel plays a total jerk in this movie, so have another of his movies handy to watch afterwards and restore your high opinion of him. He's a smooth talker who soaks his friends for all they're worth. He's constantly borrowing money from Buttons, and he talks him into using his inheritance for his own Broadway dreams. Ann Miller is his sweetie pie, but when she's away, he quickly starts romancing Kathryn Grayson-even though Buttons saw and fell for her first. Red Buttons is his usual sympathetic, sweet self, so you'll be rooting for him time and again.
There are ups and downs to the movie, depending on how much you like the cast members. If you love Ann Miller, you'll enjoy seeing her tap dance to "I'll Be Hard to Handle." If you don't, you'll sigh your way through it. The same goes for Red Buttons' monologue about a drunk Irishman. My favorite part was Marge and Gower Champion's "I Won't Dance" number. It's even cuter than in the original, and that's quite a compliment! With Marge's confidence, and Gower's good looks, it's a wonder why they didn't make more movies.