G.I. Blues
Paramount, 1960, Color, 104 minutes, ***
Premiere release August, 1960
General release November, 1960
For his first movie after serving in the Army, Elvis found himself back in uniform, playing a singing soldier stationed in Germany who makes a bet with his buddies
that he can woo a nightclub singer (leggy Juliet Prowse), and winds up falling for her. Songs include "It's Not Good Enough for You," "Frankfurt Special" and the title tune.
Lights! Camera! Elvis! Collection DVD Box Set (shown right) includes this film and
Blue Hawaii,
Easy Come, Easy Go,
Fun in Acapulco,
Girls! Girls! Girls!,
King Creole,
Roustabout,
Paradise, Hawaiian Style.
Produced by: Hal B. Wallis
Associate Producer: Paul Nathan
Directed by: Norman Taurog
Written by: Edmund Beloin and Henry Garson
Technical Advisor: Col. Tom Parker
Military Technical Advisor: Captain David S. Parkhurst
Music Director: Joseph J. Lilley
Music Scored and Conducted by: Joseph J. Lilley
Vocla Accompaniment by: The Jordanaires
Musical Numbers Staged and Choreographed by: Charles O'Curran
Art Direction: Hal Pereira, Walter Tyler
Set Decoration: Sam Comer, Ray Moyer
Costumes: Edith Head
Makeup Supervision: Wally Westmore
Hair Style Supervision: Nellie Manley
Sound Recording: Harold Lewis, Charles Grenzbach
Director of Photography: Loyal Griggs
Special Photographic Effects: John P. Fulton
Color by Technicolor
Technicolor Color Consultant: Richard Mueller
Editorial Supervision: Warren Low
Cast:
Elvis Presley [Tulsa McLean],
Juliet Prowse [Lili],
Robert Ivers [Cookie],
James Douglas [Rick],
Leticia Roman [Tina],
Sigrid Maier [Marla],
Arch Johnson [Sergeant McGraw],
Mickey Knox [Jeeter],
John Hudson [Captain Hobart],
Ken Becker [Mac],
Jeremy Slate [Turk],
Beach Dickerson [Warren],
Trent Dolan [Mickey],
Carl Crow [Walt],
Fred Essler [Papa Mueller],
Ronald Starr [Harvey],
Erika Peters [Trudy],
Ludwig Stossel [Puppet Show Proprietor],
Additional Cast:
Robert Allison Baker III [Puppeteer],
F. Alton Wood [Puppeteer],
Torben Meyer [Head Waiter],
Bess Flowers [Patron of Cafe Europa],
Marilyn Gladstone [Blonde],
Joe Gray [Soldier],
Dick Winslow [Orchestra Leader],
The Jordanaires [backup vocals]
Musical Program:
[0:07] What's She Really Like (excerpt sung a cappella by Elvis Presley in shower);
[0:10] unidentified instrumental (played by Elvis Presley and The Jordanaires);
[0:11] G.I. Blues (sung by Elvis Presley accompanied by The Jordanaires, danced by patrons at rathskeller);
[0:15] Doin' the Best I Can (sung by Elvis Presley accompanied by The Jordanaires, danced by patrons at rathskeller);
[0:17] Blue Suede Shoes (sung by Elvis Presley on jukebox);
[0:25] Frankfurt Special (sung by Elvis and The Jordanaires on train);
[0:31] unidentified instrumental (danced by Juliet Prowse);
[0:36] Shoppin' Around (sung by Elvis Presley accompanied by The Jordanaires);
[0:43] Tonight Is So Right for Love (Based on "Barcarolle" from "The Tales of Hoffman," sung by Elvis Presley accompanied by The Jordanaires);
[1:02] Punch 'n' Judy Show (excerpt of "Wooden Heart" in German played on phonograph);
[1:05] Wooden Heart (cute number sung in English and German by Elvis Presley with puppet, accompanied in part by Children);
[1:08] Pocketful of Rainbows (sung by Elvis Presley accompanied by dubbing artist for Juliet Prowse.
As is typical of many musical scenes in Elvis movies, this scene was all too obviously recorded in a studio for a record. The acoustics are all wrong for the scene, and the lip-syncing is not convincing.);
[1:17] unidentified jazz number (danced by Juliet Prowse);
[1:30] Big Boots (sung by Elvis Presley accompanied by a music box);
[1:40] Didja' Ever (sung by Elvis Presley accompanied by The Jordanaires and Ensemble)
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The Gang's All Here
20th Century-Fox, 1943, Color, 103 minutes, ***
Released December, 1943
Andy Mason (James Ellison) manages to work magic on Eadie Allen (Alice Faye), and she falls in love with him on the first date, but he has to leave for the war the very next day. Just a thin
storyline to hold together a bunch of great musical numbers, including Carmen Miranda's legendary Tutti Frutti Hat number with all the big bananas, Faye's breathtaking "A Journey to a Star," and many more.
The Alice Faye Collection DVD Box Set (shown right) contains this film and
That Night in Rio,
Lillian Russell
and On the Avenue.
The box set is very nice. The films don't look restored, but rather look like pristine prints,
which I find refreshing. All too often the restoration process seems to ruin the authenticity
of the film, but these discs are beautiful!
The Carmen Miranda Collection DVD Box Set (shown right) includes this film and
If I'm Lucky,
Something for the Boys,
Greenwich Village
and Doll Face.
Produced by: William LeBaron
Directed by: Busby Berkeley
Screen Play by: Walter Bullock
Based on a Story by: Nancy Winter, George Root, Jr. and Tom Bridges
Musical Direction: Alfred Newman, Charles Henderson
Lyrics and Music by: Leo Robin and Harry Warren;
"Brazil" by Ary Barroso and S.K. Russell
Dances Created and Directed by: Busby Berkeley
Art Direction: James Basevi, Joseph C. Wright
Set Decorations: Thomas Little
Associate: Paul S. Fox
Costumes: Yvonne Wood
Makeup Artist: Guy Pearce
Sound: George Leverett, Roger Heman
Director of Photography: Edward Cronjager
Special Photographic Effects by: Fred Sersen
Photographed in Technicolor
Technical Director: Natalie Kalmus
Film Editor: Ray Curtiss
Awards: Academy Award nomination for Best Interior Decoration - Color
Cast:
Alice Faye [Eadie Allen],
Carmen Miranda [Dorita],
Phil Baker [Himself],
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra [Themselves],
Eugene Pallette [Mr. Mason, Sr.],
Charlotte Greenwood [Mrs. Peyton Potter],
Edward Everett Horton [Peyton Potter],
Tony De Marco [Himself],
James Ellison [Andy Mason],
Sheila Ryan [Vivian],
Dave Willock [Sergeant Casey],
Bando da Lua [Themselves],
Additional Cast:
June Haver [Maybelle, Hat Check Girl],
Jeanne Crain [Girl by the Pool],
Lillian Yarbo [Maid],
Frank Darien[Doorman],
Miriam Lavelle [Specialty Dancer],
Charles Saggau,
Deidre Gale [Jitterbug Dancers],
Frank Faylen [Marine],
Russell Hoyt [Sailor],
George Dobbs [Benson],
Leon Belasco [Waiter],
Virginia Sale [Secretary],
Leyland Hodgson [Butler],
Lee Bennett [Bit Man],
Al Murphy [Stage Manager],
Hallene Hill [Old Lady],
Gabriel Canzona [Organ Grinder],
Fred Walburn [Newsboy],
Virginia Wilson [Dancing Partner]
Musical Program:
[0:00] Overture: includes a short excerpt of Hail, Hail the Gang's All Here (sung by Chorus behind titles);
[0:01] Brazil (sung by Aloysio Oliveira, Carmen Miranda with Banda da Lua, and Chorus Girls);
[0:04] You Discover You're in New York (sung by Carmen Miranda with Banda da Lua and Girls Chorus - Alice Faye makes a surprise entrance as one of the chorus girls);
[0:07] unidentified instrumental number (danced by Tony DeMarco and Virginia Wilson, mostly in background);
[0:10] instrumental number introduced as "The Uncle Samba" (played by Orchestra, danced by nightclub patrons, including Gene Pallette with Alice Faye and E. E. Horton with Carmen Miranda);
[0:14] Minnie's in the Money (played by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, vocal by Benny Goodman, jitterbug danced by several unidentified dance couples);
[0:17] A Journey to a Star (instrumental arrangement played by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, danced by Alice Faye and James Ellison);
[0:23] The Lady in the Tutti Frutti Hat (production number sung by Carmen Miranda with Banda da Lua and Girls Chorus - perhaps Miranda's best-known number, includes segment with Chorus Girls and giant bananas);
[0:31] A Journey to a Star (excerpt sung by Alice Faye);
[0:39] The Jitters (instrumental played by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, danced by Charlotte Greenwood and Charles Saggau);
[0:49] No Love, No Nothin' (sung by Alice Faye with Benny Goodman and His Orchestra)
[1:00] No Love, No Nothin' (instrumental arrangement played by Benny Goodman and His Ochestra, danced by Tony DeMarco and Sheila Ryan, sung by vocal group offscreen);
[1:08] unidentified instrumental (played by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, gymnastics by Miriam LaVelle [?]);
[1:23] Paducah (played by Benny Goodman and His Orchestra, sung by Benny Goodman, sung by Carmen Miranda, played by Banda da Lua, danced by Carmen Miranda and Tony DeMarco);
[1:28] A Journey to a Star (sung by Alice Faye and Girls Chorus, danced by Tony DeMarco and Sheila Ryan);
[1:34] The Polka Dot Polka (sung by Alice Faye, Children and Chorus, danced by Children);
[1:37] The Polka Dot Ballet (production number sung and danced by Chorus with fluorescent lights and big discs);
[1:41] Finale: A Journey to a Star (sung by Cast and Chorus)
Lobby Card
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The Gay Divorcee
RKO, 1934, B/W, 107 minutes, ****
Released October, 1934
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Class Act
Must See!
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After supporting roles in Flying Down to Rio sent their movie
careers soaring, Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers starred for the first time in this delightful
escapade about marriage, divorce and all the romantic comedy complications in between.
The Gay Divorcee set the style, tone and behind-the-camera talents for Astaire /
Rogers classics to come and captured five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
Musical highlights here include the 17-minute marvel "The Continental" (the first Oscar
winner for Best Song) and Cole Porter's haunting "Night and Day." Indeed, "if Astaire and
Rogers had never danced a lick after 'Night and Day,' they still would have been screen
immortals" (The Movie Guide). [from back of DVD case]
It's love at first sight! Guy (Fred Astaire) falls madly in love with Mimi (Ginger Rogers) the
first time he sees her, and he pursues her relentlessly until she finally begins to soften.
But the problem is... she's married, though estranged, to a geologist (William Austin). So a
plan is hatched for her to be caught with a "co-respondent" (Eric Rhodes), and the fun begins.
In addition to the wonderful Astaire and Rogers musical numbers, E. E. Horton and Betty
Grable's "Let's Knock Knees" is a standout. And the antics of Horton, Erik Rhodes, Eric
Blore and Alice Brady are unforgettable. One of Fred and Ginger's best! [JJ]
The Astaire and Rogers Collection, Vol. 2 DVD Box Set (shown right) includes this film and
Flying Down to Rio,
Roberta,
Carefree
and The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle.
Produced by: Pandro S. Berman
Production Associate: Zion Myers
Directed by: Mark Sandrich
Screen Play by: George Marion, Jr.; Dorothy Yost and Edward Kaufman
From "The Gay Divorce," Book by Dwight Taylor, Musical Adaptation by Kenneth Webb and Samuel Hoffenstein
Musical Director: Max Steiner
Music and Lyrics: "Night and Day" (by) Cole Porter; "Don't Let It Bother You," "Let's Knock Knees" by Mack Gordon and Harry Revel; "A Needle in a Haystack," "The Continental" by Con Conrad and Herb Magidson
Music Recorded by: Murray Spivack and P. J. Faulkner, Jr.
Musical Score: Kenneth Webb and Samuel Hoffenstein
Dance Ensembles Staged by: Dave Gould
Art Directors: Van Nest Polglase and Carroll Clark
Costumes by: Walter Plunkett
Recorded by: Hugh McDowell, Jr.
Photographed by: David Abel
Photographic Effects by: Vernon L. Walker
Edited by: William Hamilton
Awards:  Won Best Song Academy Award ("The Continental"); Academy Award nominations for Best Picture,
Best Score, Best Interior Decoration and Best Sound Recording
Cast:
Fred Astaire [Guy Holden],
Ginger Rogers [Mimi],
Alice Brady [Hortense],
Edward Everett Horton [Egbert],
Erik Rhodes [Tonetti],
Eric Blore [The Waiter],
William Austin [Cyril Glossop],
Charles Coleman [The Valet],
Lillian Miles,
Betty Grable [Guests],
Additional Cast:
Paul Porcasi [Nightclub Proprietor],
E.E. Clive [Customs Inspector],
George Davis,
Alphonse Martell [French Waiters],
Charles D. Hall [Call Boy at Dock]
Musical Program:
[0:00] Overture: (played by Orchestra behind titles);
[0:02] Don't Let It Bother You (sung by Chorus Girls with dancing finger-dolls);
[0:06] Don't Let It Bother You (instrumental arrangement danced by Fred Astaire);
[0:17] A Needle in a Haystack (sung and danced by Fred Astaire);
[0:35] Let's K-nock K-nees (sung and danced by Betty Grable and Edward Everett Horton with Chorus);
[0:51] Night and Day (sung by Fred Astaire, daned by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers);
[1:15] The Continental (sung by Ginger Rogers, danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers);
[1:20] The Continental (danced by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, production number danced by Chorus, segment sung and danced by Erik Rhodes, segment sung by Lillian Miles, ends with segment danced by Fred and Ginger with Chorus);
[1:43] The Continental (played by Orchestra, danced by Fred and Ginger)
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Gay Purr-ee
UPA / Warner Brothers, 1962, Color, 86 minutes, ***½
Released October, 1962
Charming animated feature about a country cat (Mewsette) who runs away from the farm to find romance, culture and excitement in the big city (Paris). Her boyfriend (Jaune Tom) and his buddy
(Robespierre) figure out where she's gone and chase after her. But before they can find her, she meets a villain cat (Meowrice) and his partner in crime (Mme. Rubens-Chatte) who want to glamorize her
and sell her to Mr. Phttt who lives in Pittsburg and who wants to buy a wife. They lead Mewsette to believe that they are going to teach her how to be sophisticated and glamorous. Jaune Tom and
Robespierre eventually arrive in Paris, but have no idea where to begin looking for Mewsette. Will Jaune Tom be able to rescue Mewsette before she's shipped to America?
Executive Producer: Henry G. Saperstein
Associate Producer: Lee Orgel
Production Manager: Earl Jonas
Directed by: Abe Levitow
Written by: Dorothy & Chuck Jones
Additional Dialogue: Ralph Wright
Music by: Harold Arlen
Lyrics by: E. Y. Harburg
Music Arranged and Conducted by: Mort Lindsey
Vocal Arranger: Joseph J. Lilley
Production Design: Robert Singer, Richard Ung, "Corny" Cole, Ray Aragon, Edward Levitt, Ernest Nordli
Art Director: Victor Harboush Animation: Ben Washam, Phil Duncan, Hal Ambro, Ray Patterson, Grant Simmons, Irv Spence, Don Lusk, Hank Smith, Harvey Toombs, Volus Jones, Ken Harris, Art
Davis, Fred Madison
Sequence Director: Steve Clark
Music Editors: George Probert, Wayne Hughes
Camera: Roy Hutchcroft, Dan Miller, Jack Stevens, Duane Keegan
Filmed in Technicolor
Editorial Supervision: Ted Baker
Editors: Sam Horta, Earl Bennett
Cast:
Judy Garland [singing and speaking voice of Mewsette],
Robert Goulet [singing and speaking voice of Jaune Tom],
Red Buttons [singing and speaking voice of Robespierre],
Paul Frees [voice of Meowrice], Hermione Gingold [voice of Mme. Rubens-Chatte],
Mel Blanc [voice of Bulldog],
Morey Amsterdam [Narrator and Sleeping Cat at train station],
Joan Gardner,
Julie Bennett,
June Foray,
The Mellowmen [Vocals]
Musical Program:
[0:00] Overture: "Take My Hand, Paree" (excerpt sung by Judy Garland) / "Mewsette" (excerpt sung by Chorus) / "Little Drops of Rain" (sung by Judy Garland) / "Paris Is a Lonely Town" (sung by Judy Garland) / "Roses Red, Violets Blue (sung by Judy Garland and Chorus); [0:04] Mewsette (sung by Robert Goulet);
[0:10] Take My Hand, Paree (sung by Judy Garland);
[0:21] Roses Red, Violets Blue (sung by Judy Garland);
[0:30] The Money Cat (sung by Paul Frees and The Mellow Men);
[0:37] The Horse Won't Talk (sung by Paul Frees);
[0:46] Bubbles (sung by Robert Goulet, Red Buttons and The Mellow Men);
[0:51] Little Drops of Rain (sung by Judy Garland);
[0:53] Little Drops of Rain (sung by Robert Goulet);
[1:11] Paris Is a Lonely Town (sung by Judy Garland);
[1:23] Mewsette Finale (sung by Robert Goulet, Judy Garland and Chorus)
Sister Site
Featured Film
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The Gene Krupa Story
(aka Drum Crazy)
Columbia, 1959, B/W, 101 minutes, ***
Released December, 1959
Sal Mineo shines in this much-loved film bio as the premier jazz drummer of his day. His rise to fame, his descent into drug addiction and struggle back are strikingly recounted.
Krupa supplies the soundtrack; James Darren, Susan Kohner, Yvonne Craig co-star.
Produced by: Philip A. Waxman
Associate Producer: Orin Jannings
Directed bt: Don Weis
Assistant Director: Ray Gosnell
Written by: Orin Jannings
Music Adapted and Composed by: Leith Stevens
Art Director: Robert Peterson
Set Decorator: Frank A. Tuttle
Make-Up Supervisor: Ben Lane
Hair Styles by: Helen Hunt
Recording Supervisor: Charles J. Rice
Sound: Jack Solomon
Director of Photography: Charles Lawton, Jr.
Montage by: Donald W. Starling
Film Editors: Maurice Wright, Edwin Bryant
Cast:
Sal Mineo [Gene Krupa],
Susan Kohner [Ethel Maguire],
James Darren [Eddie Sirota],
Susan Oliver [Dorissa Dinell],
Yvonne Craig [Gloria Corregio],
Lawrence Dobkin [Speaker Willis],
Celia Lovsky [Mother],
Red Nichols [Himself],
Bobby Troup [Tommy Dorsey],
Anita O'Day [Herself],
Shelly Manne [Davey Tough],
Buddy Lester [Himself],
Additional Cast:
John Bleifer [Father],
Gavin Macleod [Ted Krupa],
Ruby Lane [Blues Singer]
Musical Program:
Sunny Side of the Street (excerpt sung by Anita O'Day);
Let There Be Love (sung by James Darren);
I Love My Baby (sung by Ruby Lane);
Memories of You (sung by Anita O'Day);
Royal Garden Blues (played by The Gene Krupa Orchestra);
Cherokee (played by The Gene Krupa Orchestra);
Indiana (played by Red Nichols and The Gene Krupa Orchestra);
Way Down Yonder In New Orleans (played by The Gene Krupa Orchestra);
Song of India (Rimsky-Korsakov);
Drum Crazy (played by Gene Krupa);
Memories of You;
I Love You, I Love You;
In the Mood;
Let There Be Love;
Exactly Like You;
Spiritual Jazz
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Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
Fox, 1953, Color, 91 minutes, ***½
Released July, 1953
Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell sizzle, sing and dance as a couple of
gold diggers out to land rich husbands.
This Technicolor film fable follows the exploits of two gorgeous women aboard a luxury ocean
liner. One (Marilyn) loves diamonds and the other (Russell) loves men. On the ship with them
are an elderly diamond mine owner (Charles Coburn), a team of handsome and muscular Olympic
athletes, a fascinating but very young millionaire (George Winslow) and a nasty private eye.
Packed with 40 minutes of production numbers, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes includes the
legendary title song and "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend." [from back
of DVD case]
The Diamond Collection (Vol. 1) DVD Box Set (shown right) contains this film and
Bus Stop,
How to Marry a Millionaire,
There's No Business Like Show Business,
The Seven Year Itch,
The Final Days
Marilyn Monroe Special Anniversary Collection DVD Box Set (shown right) contains this film and
Seven Year Itch,
Niagara,
River of No Return,
Let's Make Love
and Marilyn: The Final Days.
Produced by: Sol C. Siegel
Directed by: Howard Hawks
Assistant Director: Paul Helsnick
Screen Play by: Charles Lederer
Based on the Musical Comedy by Joseph Fields and Anita Loos
Music and Lyrics by: Jule Styne and Leo Robin
Presented on the Stage by Herman Levin and Oliver Smith
Music and Lyrics: "When Love Goes Wrong" and "Anyone Here for Love" by Hoagy Carmichael and Harold Adamson
Choreography by: Jack Cole
Music Direction: Lionel Newman
Vocal Direction: Eliot Daniel
Orchestration: Herbert Spencer, Earl Hagen, Bernard Mayers
Art Direction: Lyle Wheeler, Joseph C. Wright
Set Decorations: Claude Carpenter
Wardrobe Direction: Charles Le Maire
Costumes Designed by: Travilla
Makeup Artist: Ben Nye
Sound: E. Clayton Ward, Roger Heman
Director of Photography: Harry J. Wild
Special Photographic Effects: Ray Kellogg
Color by Technicolor
Technicolor Color Consultant: Leonard Doss
Film Editor: Hugh S. Fowler
Cast:
Jane Russell [Dorothy],
Marilyn Monroe [Lorelei],
Charles Coburn [Sir Francis Beekman],
Elliott Reid [Malone],
Tommy Noonan [Gus Esmond],
George "Foghorn" Winslow [Henry Spofford III],
Marcel Dalio [Magistrate],
Taylor Holmes [Gus Esmond, Sr.],
Norma Varden [Lady Beekman],
Howard Wendell [Watson],
Steven Geray [Hotel Manager],
Henri Letondal [Grotier],
Leo Mostovoy [Phillipe],
Alex Frazer [Pritchard],
Harry Carey Jr. [Winslow],
George Davis [Cab Driver],
Alphonse Martell [Headwaiter],
James Moultrie,
Freddie Moultrie [Boy Dancers],
Jean De Briac,
George Dee,
Peter Camlin [Gendarmes],
Jean Del Val [Ship's Captain],
Ray Montgomery [Peters],
Alvy Moore [Anderson],
Robert Nichols [Evans],
Charles Tannen [Ed],
Jimmy Young [Stevens],
Charles de Ravenne [Purser],
John Close [Coach],
William Cabanne [Sims],
Philip Sylvestre [Steward],
Jack Chefe [Proprietor],
Alfred Paix [Pierre],
Max Willenz [Court Clerk],
Rolfe Sedan [Waiter],
Robert Foulk,
Ralph Peters [Passport Officials],
Harry Seymour [Captain of Waiters]
Musical Program:
[0:00] A Little Girl from Little Rock (opening sung and danced by Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell before titles);
[0:01] Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend (instrumental arrangement with short excerpt sung by Chorus behind titles);
[0:03] A Little Girl from Little Rock (continued by Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell after titles);
[0:13] Bye Bye Baby (sung by Jane Russell and Chorus, then sung by Marilyn Monroe to Tommy Noonan, joined by Chorus);
[0:21] Ain't There Anyone Here for Love (sung by Jane Russell, danced by Russell and gymnasts);
[1:03] When Love Goes Wrong (Nothin' Goes Right) (sung and danced by Jane Russell, Marilyn Monroe and Chorus);
[1:08] Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend (sung by Marilyn Monroe, danced by Monroe and Chorus);
[1:21] Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend (sung and danced by Jane Russell);
[1:30] A Little Girl from Little Rock (excerpt sung by Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell);
[1:31] Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend (sung by Chorus)
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