Film Review
One of the most lively and enjoyable of the great MGM musicals,
On the Town can hardly fail to
please, particularly as it offers the dream pairing of Gene Kelly with
Frank Sinatra and a plethora of glitzy adrenalin-pumping song and dance
numbers. With music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Betty
Comden and Adolph Green, many of these numbers have become all-time
classics, and include the hit
New
York, New York, a song which has practically become the city's
anthem.
The film marks a significant break with musical tradition in that much
of the action, including some of the song and dance numbers, takes
place in real locations. Gene Kelly originally intended that the
entire film be shot on location but MGM boss Louis B. Mayer was adamant
that it would be a studio-only production. A compromise was
ultimately arrived at whereby one week would be given over to filming
at recognisable New York locations. The breakneck pace and sense
of urgency that infects the film is a probably a direct consequence
of the insane timescale for the location shoot.
On the Town was the first of
three classic musicals which were directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley
Donen. It was followed by
Singin' in the Rain (1952),
arguably the greatest of the MGM musicals, and the lesser known but
just as enthralling
It's Always Fair
Weather (1955). Whilst it has some superlative music and
great set-pieces - including a stunning ballet sequence summarising the
main narrative -
On the Town
is weak on plot and character and consequently feels aimless and
contrived, not that this matters much. With exuberant
contributions from the two iconic stars and their talented supporting
artistes (particularly Ann Miller, a tornado in human form), the film
is a rapturous breeze which perfectly evokes the raw energy and
relentless pace of life in the great American metropolis.
© James Travers 2009
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Film Synopsis
Once their ship has docked in New York Harbour, three sailors - Gabey,
Chip and Ozzie - head straight for the thundering heart of the city,
determined not to waste one second of their 24 hours' shore
leave. Whilst Chip is set on fulfilling a childhood dream to
visit all of New York's tourist attractions, his two friends have other
beauty spots on their mind, those of a distinctly feminine
variety. On a subway train, Gabey glimpses a poster of a young
woman who has just been christened Miss Turnstiles and is smitten by
her. By chance, he gets to meet her in the flesh a few minutes
later, although he does not yet realise that she is not a star but an
unknown hoofer named Ivy Smith. When the woman of his
dreams disappears into the rush-hour crowds, Gabey resolves to find
her, and his two friends reluctantly agree to help. Along the
way, Chip becomes the unwilling object of desire for an over-sexed
woman cab driver, Hildy Esterhazy, whilst Ozzie finds himself cast as
the perfect specimen of the primitive male for dedicated anthropologist
Claire Huddesen. With Chip and Ozzie busily occupied with their
ardent female admirers, Gabey ends up having to find his beloved Ivy by
himself, aware that time is fast running out...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.