You’ll Never Get Rich (1941) - film review

Bob Curtis is the choreographer and lead dancer of a Broadway show, produced by the womanising Martin Courtland.  One of the dancers, Sheila Winthrop, catches Martin’s attention and he offers her a diamond bracelet.  When his wife hears of this, Martin tries to persuade her that the bracelet was Bob’s gift to Sheila.  When the newspapers announce that Bob and Sheila intend to get married, Sheila’s fiancé, Tom Barton, an army captain, makes a hasty return and manages to scare Bob into joining the army...

The film that transformed Rita Hayworth from a minor contract player to a major Hollywood star sees her partnered with another screen legend, Fred Astaire.  Since splitting with Ginger Rogers, Astaire’s career was beginning to decline and he was reluctant to work with Hayworth, on account of her inexperience and height.  As it turned out, the sensual Hayworth and the debonnaire Astaire appeared to be made for one another, as their impeccable dance routines together testify.

Whilst not the best film for either star, You’ll Never Get Rich is great fun, buoyed up by some uplifting Cole Porter numbers and stunning dance routines.  The plot is admittedly something of a dog’s breakfast but at least there is plenty of decent comedy to compensate for that and, overall, the film is an enjoyable romp.  And if you are still wondering where the film gets its title from, recall the old army song: You’re in the Army now. You’re in the Army now.  You’ll never get rich, by diggin’ a ditch. You’re in the Army now.  Astaire and Hayworth would appear together in You Were Never Lovelier (1942).

© filmsdefrance.com 2009

Write a review for this film...

What do you think of this film?