thoughts on "Easter Parade"

[dfwtheatreguy]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 11:54pm

i have never seen this movie before, don't know why, but it was a lot better than i thought it would be - a nice little "my fair lady"-esque dancing story bookended by easter.

some thoughts on the flick:

1) with "white christmas" - it seems that this would make a great stage production (great numbers "steppin out with my baby", "a couple of swells", "easter parade")

2) judy was great in this - gene kelly would have been good (he was originally cast) but astaire was okay

3) ann miller can dance the heck out this character, but she can't play bitchy at all - but she looked fabulous

4) peter lawford - HAWT!!!!!

5) clinton sundberg as mike the bartender and jules munshin as francois the waiter were great in their supporting roles - jules' "francois' salad" cracked me up

[dave1606]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 11:57pm

A friend came by today with that film, saying she watches it every Easter. I haven't seen it, but like that the dvd box declares it: "The Happiest Musical ever made!"

[dfwtheatreguy]

Posted: 3/23/08 at 11:59pm

very happy, very gay, overall a pleasurable 2 hours.

[jeniferrenepatricia]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 1:36am

Loved Judy in this movie, not crazy about Fred Astaire. Gene Kelly definitely would have better in this part. My favorite number is "Walk Down the Avenue." Too cute....
Ann Miller never looked better, but I agree that she can't play bitchy at all...

[maybethistime]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 1:39am

Shakin' The Blues Away is one of my favorite numbers ever. Ann Miller kills...

[brettystar]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 1:41am

I also watched this for the first time this Easter and was thinking exactly the same thing. I think it is great to see it around eEster but don't know if it would do good box office the rest of the year though.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 7:46am

It was developed into a stage production last spring by the Chanhassen in Minnesota.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 9:18am

It was one of the biggest hits ever for MGM when it was originally released! Gene Kelly broke his ankle right before filming, and they really had to pitch Fred Astaire, who was in retirement.

And originally Cyd Charisse was to have played the Ann Miller role, but she tore ligaments in her knee which sidelined her.

Vincente Minnelli was the first director linked to the project, but as his marriage to Garland was unravelling at the time, they felt Chuck Walters might be a better fit.

[MCfan2]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 9:26am

It is a cute movie. I love a lot of the numbers, especially "A Couple of Swells."

[GYPSY1527]

Posted: 3/24/08 at 9:59am

I kinda disagree about Ann Miller. I personally think she owns that role in every sense! She goes all out with the bitchiness and dances/sings the hell outta it. I adore the film so much!

[sparkleplenty]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 6:31pm

Let's not be too hard on helpful Fred. After all, he stepped into the role out of retirement since Gene Kelly broke his ankle after having a snit upon losing a tennis game at his home. Astaire was doing Judy and M-G-M a favor. I do realize this has nothing to do with the quality of his performance, but the part was not really created for Astaire.
Fred certainly acts the part he plays, dances beautifully, and while maybe he could be considered a tad old for the part - he certainly carries it off with aplomb. No telling how cheesy Gene Kelly might have made the part. (Or how great he might have been).
Personally, I love the movie - bright,colorful, happy, fun with loads of great numbers from the cast.

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 6:34pm

I immediately read this as an Easter-special version of "Parade" in London.

Wow. Talk about bad ideas.

[Weez]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 6:35pm

I'm always a little concerned by this film. Astaire's character was just so damn mean that I couldn't understand why any mentally healthy woman could possibly find him attractive, and that's coming from someone who's generally quite aroused by abusive fictional characters.

Other than that, I do enjoy it. :3

[Broadwayj1]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 6:54pm

I watch it every Easter as well. I think it would make a great stage show. They just need to work out some of the holes in the script.

[alterego]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 7:02pm

About ten years ago a stage version was workshopped, first in Australia and then in America. Tommy Tune and Sandy Duncan were attached to the project. At the end of the day it didn't get off the ground.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 7:27pm

One of the best of the MGM musicals.

[MCfan2]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 7:35pm

Fred had to play "mean" a lot, if you think about it (although as has been said, this particular role wasn't meant for him). It's kind of a shame. I liked seeing him play "nice" better, even though he was good at playing either.

It's surprising that no one thought of putting Fred and Judy together before. They were great together.

But Gene would have been wonderful, too!

[Tom148502]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 7:42pm

It's interesting that in real life Fred and his sister Adele performed often in London. So, in a way, the part was made for him.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 9:20pm

I swear, some people don't even read the thread.

A stage production was developed and produced last spring in Minnesota.

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/98763.html

And a behind the scenes vid with some clips from the show:
http://www.startribune.com/video/11833901.html

[Broadwayj1]

Posted: 3/25/08 at 9:41pm

That looked really bad! LOL!