the audience applauded

Excellent adaptation.

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Captivating movie !

Typical Hollywood fanfare with rich playboy Farley Granger sentenced to 30 days for speeding in a tiny hick town. Engaged to Ann Miller, he protests his sentence to no avail, but gets the judge's daughter to get him out of the slammer for one night.Ann Miller does two nice dances but her talents are largely wasted here along with Billie Burke, who plays Granger's mother. Missing in the film is that usual high-pitched voice of hers. Instead, she plays the wealthy mother without much fanfare on her part either.Constant interruptions while saying grace come about due to the presence of the boyfriend of the judge's daughter, an aspiring dancer, who yearns for such a career on Broadway. Even his dad S.Z. Sakall is subdued here and only confuses the word pardon with something else.

Small town America (Duck Creek) battles big city New York in this generally entertaining musical. Big city boy Rick (Granger) discovers the virtues of small town living, especially when it includes winsome Cindy (Powell). While small town boy Ludwig (Van) yearns for career opportunities on the Broadway stage. Getting it all straightened out takes about 90-minutes.Nobody could idealize small town America like MGM. Here everyone in Duck Creek is neighborly, polite, and God-fearing— all in squeaky-clean candy-box Technicolor. Fortunately, the cast blends in nicely— a sparkly Powell, a dreamy Granger, and a perky Ann Miller tap-dancing her way as usual into everyone's heart. Also, mustn't overlook a gangly Bobby Van stealing the show with a 5-minute bunny hop through town-- I'm exhausted just thinking about that.Unfortunately, the vocals are pretty forgettable, with the exception of Handel's Messiah that closes the film. Too bad Nat King Cole didn't get to croon one of his signature tunes, like Mona Lisa. Nothing special here, just a lot of entertaining eye candy, courtesy that old dream machine, MGM.

I think this musical is highly underrated. Yes the plot is not particularly original, but how many are original. The plot and acting are not a strong point, but it's a musical. To me this is better than half the Astaire Rogers musicals which I do love. The singing by Nat King Cole and Jane Powell are superb. Plus there are so many wonderful character actors in this like SZ Sakal, Billie Burke and Chill Wills. Their comedy is really great. The dances are by Busby Berkeley and music by Andre Previn. How can you ask for more? It should be remastered and get higher reviews by the critics. I was overwhelmed by the Take me to Broadway number by Bobby Van. This is the best Ann Miller I have seen. She did at least two fabulous tap dancing numbers including a splashy flamenco dance near the end.

It's just too bad more people didn't appreciate Bobby Van when he was around. I've never seen him before, but I certainly will remember his energy and incredible footwork. Where are they now? 50 years seemed to have taken away the fun of making a entertaining musical. Watching rappers and boy bands has diminished our appreciation of what dance was all about. Donald OConnor, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Danny Kaye all had desire that is lacking in movies now. Perhaps the cycle will return and will get away from Gangsta rappers and back to a style of entertainment that celebrated life rather than threaten it. Great work Bobby... Too bad I missed you. ......Wayne