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(More customer reviews)The three "That's Entertainment" films highlighted the great musicals made by MGM from 1929 to 1958, but they did not include any of this marvelous late musical film (released in 1957), which was apparently Gene Kelly's final production for the Culver City studio. Released near the end of the great musical era at MGM, "Les Girls" was also the final film to have original songs (and lyrics) by Cole Porter. (Porter's final score was for the 1958 CBS special "Aladdin.")
It is well known how Gene Kelly set such high standards for his musicals, seeking new, innovative approaches to dance on film and how he rehearsed endlessly and demanded the same from his costars. Although this film was directed by George Cukor, there are times when Kelly so dominates the film that it seems almost autobiographical. The energetic, athletic approach to dance, which was acknowledged by friend and colleague Fred Astaire (particularly in the first "That's Entertainment film), is clearly present in this production. The motorcycle gang sequence is particularly imaginative and is a good example of Kelly's efforts to seek fresh approaches to dance on film.
Kelly is partnered with three singing dancers with very different backgrounds: an American, Mitzi Gaynor (who appeared in numerous movie musicals in the 1950s, mostly at 20th Century Fox); an Englishwoman, Kay Kendall (married to actor Rex Harrison and who tragically died from cancer only two years later); and a Frenchwoman, played by Finnish actress Taina Elg.
The film presents three different versions of the same story, in which it appears that Kelly has been romantically involved with one of his female partners. The "truth" emerges during a British libel trial, leading the viewer to wonder what exactly did happen.
Besides the delightful Cole Porter music, the film also has the lavish MGM look, with impressive sets, garish color photography, and elegant costumes. Sadly, the great MGM era was drawing to a close and the studio itself would go into a slow decline.
George Cukor was often said to be a "woman's director," but he was actually very gifted and imaginative. He had a special way with musicals, as demonstrated by his work on two legendary Warner Brothers films: the 1954 version of "A Star Is Born" with Judy Garland and James Mason, and the 1964 adaptation of "My Fair Lady" with Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn.
The Hollywood musical declined, of course, in the late 1950's due to the increasing popularity of rock music. Elvis Presley actually made a series of musicals for MGM, which were quite successful, because his movies included the music most young people wanted to hear. The more traditional musicals faded, even at MGM (which was so noted for its musical, produced mainly by Arthur Freed or Joe Pasternack), with most future productions focusing on adaptations of successful Broadway shows. MGM's final original musical was Lerner and Loewe's "Gigi," released in 1958.
Although this film wasn't showcased in any of the "That's Entertainment" tributes, it is still very entertaining and it gives us yet another opportunity to enjoy the dancing and singing of the Gene Kelly, this time with three very capable partners.
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No Description Available.Genre: MusicalsRating: NRRelease Date: 22-APR-2003Media Type: DVD
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