Easter Parade (1948)

Fred and Judy - who could ask for anything more?

This film is a joy from start to finish and, as has been mentioned elsewhere, the colour and sound reproduction on the DVD are excellent. On this `special edition' there is also an interesting extra in the making of documentary - Easter Parade: On the Avenue - in which you get to learn interesting little snippets such as the fact that Anne Miller had to dance her numbers in a surgical corset due to the fact that, shortly prior to shooting the film, her husband had pushed her down the stairs and broken her back! Also, some might not have known that, but for a similar, though not quite so severe injury, Gene Kelly might have been playing the lead. The aspect ratio also means that you get the full screen image rather than it being cut down.

There is so much to enjoy: not least, of course, Where a Couple of Swells, in which Judy had to persuade Fred to `dust on' and go very much against the normally suave, sophisticated and elegant grain! It is in this number that she seems almost always to be teetering on the edge of going overboard but just, somehow manages the restraint necessary to achieve a superb piece of vaudevillian pastiche. And then there is Fred's `Steppin' Out With My Baby', in which he ends the number by dancing in slow motion against a backdrop chorus dancing in real time: sheer brilliance.

In an era in which we are often served up garbage and expected to accord it the status of entertainment; of reality TV and Hello magazine and, seemingly, commonplace `mega stars' it isn't often that we get to witness and appreciate true and sublime genius on show.
April 8, 2008

stroll the avenue with Fred and Judy!

EASTER PARADE represents the pinnacle of the M-G-M musical. Too wonderful to watch only at eastertime, the film is filled with sensational Irving Berlin standards, superbly-choreographed musical numbers; not to mention the once-in-a-lifetime pairing of Judy Garland and Fred Astaire.

Astaire plays famous vaudeville star Don Hewes, whose career as a pair-dancer is cut short when his partner Nadine (Ann Miller) quits the act to become a solo star. One night, whilst drowning his sorrows in a dingy bar, he happens across struggling singer Hannah Brown (Garland). Despite having no training, he decides to turn her into his most formidable dance partner. But their relationship - both on and off the stage - is tempered by Hannah's flirtation with a young collegiate bachelor (Peter Lawford), and the reappearance of beautiful Nadine.

The entire film (based around the pre-existing catalogue of Irving Berlin songs) is a complete joy. While the role of Don was originally meant for Gene Kelly, he suffered a broken leg only days before the filming was to begin. Astaire was brought out of retirement to assume the role, and turned in one of his greatest performances, ushering in a wave of new screen vehicles ("The Band Wagon", "Royal Wedding", etc). Judy Garland is pure perfection as Hannah, and obviously adored working with Astaire (their "Couple of Swells" routine is simply tour-de-force).

Ann Miller, in her first big role at the M-G-M studios, is an eyeful as the tap-happy Nadine. Her bravura rendition of "Shakin' the Blues Away", choreographed by Robert Alton, still counts as one of THE greatest musical numbers ever filmed. It's hard to believe, but Ann Miller was still nursing a broken back when she filmed that number. What a trouper! The role of Nadine was originally earmarked for Cyd Charisse, but once again, an injury kept her from the project and former RKO queen Miller started her series of screen successes for M-G-M, that would continue through "On the Town", "Small Town Girl" and "Hit the Deck". Peter Lawford (coming straight from the successful "Good News"), plays Hannah's would-be suitor very well; his mannered singing voice is quite acceptable.

This fabulous 2-disc Special Edition of EASTER PARADE comes with a wealth of bonus materials; including audio commentary with Judy Garland expert John Fricke, and Ava Astaire McKenzie (Fred's daughter). A new Making-Of documentary called "Easter Parade: On the Avenue", which recounts the various problems and difficulties that were encountered in bringing the film to life. Judy Garland's long-deleted performance of "Mr Monotony" which was cut from the final edit of the film (the costume was later recycled for the "Get Happy" number in Garland's last M-G-M film "Summer Stock"). Among the audio components is the Lux Radio Theatre broadcast, featuring the bulk of the film cast, in a fun little freeze-dried version of the story.

The real highlight is the award-winning American Masters documentary feature "Judy Garland: By Myself", which traces the life of Garland through remnants of audio interviews, film footage and pieces from Garland's attempted autobiography (with the voice of Isabel Keating as Garland). The doco features rare screen-test footage, pieces from "The Judy Garland Show" and lots of insight from those closest to Garland. February 29, 2008

Garland at full glorious tilt

Garland was a phenomenal artist - somehow this is even more evident in MGM's tightly corseted extravaganzas - as Judith Crist or somebody once said of her and Kelly (equally true, to me, of her and Astaire) she was the only partner whom, when they were dancing, you looked at instead of him. What is it about her? More than 'talent' or 'competence,' surely. 'midnight choo choo in alabam' - part of a thrilling montage of Astaire & Garland duets - all aimed, as ever, at getting them to 'The Palace' - is one of the most astonishingly 'right' set-pieces I've ever seen in film. Utterly alive & intense - and Garland's voice, vibrato, have such warmth and laser-sharp accuracy it takes your breath away. Nice special features on this video, too. Astaire's daughter Ava and Garland's biographer John Fricke's commentary does not seem superfluous (as George Sydney's does in "harvey girls"): they're fun, smart & illuminating.

Good stuff. December 21, 2007

Loses something over the years

Don Hews (Fred Astaire), a song and dance man gets a new contract, he finds out the he is being jilted by the girl he had an understanding with Nadine Hale (Ann Miller); she decides to go off on her own with a different contract and more than willing to also go with their mutual friend Johnny Harlow (Peter Lawford). In an effort to replace his dance partner and save face, Don finds a quick replacement Hannah Brown (Judy Garland) from his local bar. Can she fill the bill and does Don really know what he wants?

Lots (17) of great Irving Berlin songs. Lots of tap dancing.

Can't tell you of all the years I enjoyed this and similar movies. As with many things you can not go home again. Now I see the mechanics and the mismatch of characters to story. Now the film takes effort to get through. They seem to be straining to stay in formula as the story was originally designed for Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse not much too old Fred Astaire and too young Judy Garland.

One redeeming thing about the Special edition DVD is that the voiceover commentary by Astaire's daughter gave the film meaning and made it easer to watch.
July 24, 2007

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