Post by mikef6 on Dec 19, 2019 6:51:34 GMT
It is my privilege to be the Scrooge on this thread. The opening title proclaims, “Paramount proudly presents the first picture in VistaVision.” Not that it did me any good, because the video I watched was full screen. No loss, though, because this is a slow moving, somewhat dreary musical featuring some third tier Irving Berlin songs. Not much here to recommend. It is one of those movies from the past that ask us to accept middle aged actors as young lovers who have not had previous marriages or relationships. The 51 year old Bing Crosby is given lines like, “I’m still waiting for the right girl to come along.” His partner, 41 year old Danny Kaye, is not ready to settle down either. They are paired up with Rosemary Clooney (26 – an OK age for the part she is playing) and Vera-Ellen (33 years old and sometimes looking more than that, but playing Clooney’s younger, more naïve sister). How in gods’ name did Michael Curtiz end up directing this? The plot: Crosby and Kaye are a couple of hoofers who have to put together a show to save a ski lodge in Vermont. ‘Nuff said.