What a Way to Go! (1964)

People who cherish the post-Terms of Endearment, post-reincarnation phase of Shirley MacLaine's career might be surprised to discover just how sexy and kooky she was in a past life--that is, the first few years of her movie career. After the triumphs of Some Came Running and The Apartment, MacLaine had a run of starring roles, including this elaborate comedy vehicle. What a Way to Go! cast MacLaine as an unlucky bride whose husbands meet early deaths, leaving her wealthy but unhappy. Gimmick casting of the hubbies adds a bit of dash: Dick Van Dyke as a simple country storekeeper, Gene Kelly as a two-bit entertainer, bearded Paul Newman as a Brandoesque, bohemian painter in Paris. In the movie's best turn, Robert Mitchum gets to play a Howard Hughes character, and Dean Martin and Robert Cummings are around for the ride.

A flabbergasting parade of Edith Head outfits keeps MacLaine hopping, and each segment has a Hollywood fantasy based on MacLaine's vision of her passing marriages (silent comedy, sexed-up foreign flick, splashy musical). Typical of a certain kind of super-production of the era, the film is impressive rather than entertaining, busy rather than funny. Perhaps hiring J. Lee Thompson, who directed The Guns of Navarone, was not the best idea for this Comden-Green script. It snuck in as one of the top ten box-office grossers of 1964, and it has one great surrealist sequence where Gene Kelly orders his house and grounds to be painted entirely pink. --Robert Horton Amazon.com

great for visuals, not an awesome plot

I really did enjoy this movie! I had no idea Shirley McLaine could dance so well. The plot is inventive, but not terribly strong - nor do I think it was meant to be. The writing is horrendous. This movie is not for the art-house or avant-garde snobbery - but it is a great watch for anyone interested in color, spectacle and character. I loved it! September 30, 2008

Just as good as I remember

I remember watching this movie when I was a kid. I probaly haven't seen it in over 20 years. I purchased it so that I could share it with my daughter who is 14 years old. It was just as good as I remember. Shirley MacLaine's costumes are fabulous. I am still deciding which one of her husbands I'd pick as my favorite. By the way, my daughter liked it too! You can't go wrong. September 12, 2008

Great to see again!

I saw this movie when it was first shown in theaters. Shirley is fabulous, as usual. The costumes are beautiful. My favorite part of the movie is when she dances with Gene Kelly. August 28, 2008

Shirley MacLaine is so DANG cute!

This was another movie purchased for Paul Newman Night. What a wonderful treat! The nod to several different movie genre was PERFECT!
Since my focus for the movies I'm reviewing is Paul Newman I will start there. Mr. Newman plays Larry Flint (how weird is that?), an American in Paris (I am smiling as I write that because that is another all time favorites of mine) He is a struggling artist. But aren't we all?
The French movies from the 50s and 60s with the bohemian lifestyle is the theme here and Shirley MacLaine is big-haired and turtle necked when she has clothes on. Paul Newman is bearded and scruffy. They roll in the sheets and bathe together in a funny scene. I am surprised that one of them doesn't pass out. They are kissing the whole time. I won't tell about the whole movie since its been covered pretty well here.
Paul Newman is funny and full of himself and his art.
I wish he was my neighbor.
July 21, 2008

What A Way To Spend An Evening

Corny, kooky, silly, over-the-top, and just plain old fun, What A Way To Go showcases an early in her career Shirley MacLaine as a young woman who becomes a multi-millionairess as a result of the early demises of her many wealthy husbands. Of note are the wonderfully outrageous costumes designed by Edith Head, and the fantasy numbers imagined by MacLaine. Best are the old Hollywood musical number with Gene Kelly, in which we are reminded that MacLaine was quite the hoofer in her day, and with Robert Mitchum, in which MacLaine parades an amazing line of gowns. With as many wigs. A great way to spend of couple of hours. July 8, 2008

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