Loses something over the years
Added 7/10/2009
Don Hews (Fred Astaire), a song and dance man gets a new contract, he finds out the he is being jilted by the girl he had an understanding with Nadine Hale (Ann Miller); she decides to go off on her own with a different contract and more than willing to also go with their mutual friend Johnny Harlow (Peter Lawford). In an effort to replace, his dance partner and save face, Don finds a quick replacement Hannah Brown (Judy Garland) from his local bar. Can she fill the bill and does Don really know what he wants?
Lots (17) of great Irving Berlin songs. Lots of tap dancing.
Can't tell you of all the years I enjoyed this and similar movies. As with many things, you cannot go home again. Now I see the mechanics and the mismatch of characters to story. Now the film takes effort to get through. They seem to be straining to stay in formula as the story was originally designed for Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse not much too old Fred Astaire and too young Judy Garland.
One redeeming thing about the Special edition DVD is that the voiceover commentary by Astaire's daughter gave the film meaning and made it easier to watch.
Brigadoon
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Among The Finest Hollywood Musicals
Added 5/2/2009
One of the Hollywood finest and most popular films,and wonderful to have on DVD.There was early gossip in the 1940's that the situations of a standard/formulaic central idea and the glowing stardust magic of Judy Garland at her greatest would result in a film in which Fred Astaire and Judy Garland would captivate while the audience would simply wait for them to come onscreen again. This never happened because the ENTIRE film is a JOY from start to finish. The story proceeds with marvelous comedy and holds you from start to finish. The supporting cast, including Ann Miller and Peter Lawford each at their finest, is so marvelous that they captivate the audience as totally as to Fred and Judy as we all would like to remember them. An example of Hollywood at its MOST GLORIOUS!
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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One Of The Better Musicals Of The Classic Era
Added 2/8/2009
When even the VHS looked very good, I knew this DVD of "Easter Parade" might really look spectacular.
It did.
I'm mainly talking about the Technicolor. Man, those Technicolor films in the 1940s were beautiful, as this certainly is.
For entertainment, you get Fred Astaire dancing, Judy Garland singing, Ann Miller dancing, and Peter Lawford singing. I didn't think Lawford could sing, but he's not bad here. The other great talents must have elevated his.
Astaire consistently amazed audiences with his innovative dance routines and smooth style. He does a number here in a toy store that is really something! Miller also gives us a good tap number and Garland's songs are all winners.
This movie is more vehicle for those above-mentioned stars than it is in telling some profound the story. The story is not much, but who cares? It's the dancing, singing, the incredible costumes, overall color, nice people and just plain feel-good musical atmosphere that makes this a popular film, even to this day.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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A great gift for someone with dementia at Easter or any other time
Added 3/16/2008
Easter Parade, the movie, is a classic that those with dementia will enjoy especially during the Easter season. Folks with dementia feel a special connection to the classic musicals. The songs are familiar to them. They often will sing along. The music uplifts them. The dancing and the drama are exciting. This movie will put a dementia person in the Easter spirit. Buy them a new Easter bonnet to complete the experience. Watch this movie with someone you love whether they have dementia or not for a terrific Easter day.
By Susan Berg author of Adorable Photographs of Our Baby: Meaningful, Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones, and Involved Professionals[...]
1 out of 7 people found this helpful.
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'It Only Happens When I Dance With You"
Added 2/27/2008
When Don Hewes dance partner Nadine Hale (Ann Miller) abandons their act, he sets out to find a new partner. He discovers Hannah Brown (Judy Garland, in one of her favorite roles). This movie was originally intended to star Gene Kelly as Don Hewes and Cyd Charisse as Nadine Hale. But Gene Kelly broke his ankle and Cyd tore a muscle so Fred and Ann stepped in. (I really like this movie, but I think it would have been better with Cyd and Gene.)
There is a little confusion as Don loves Nadine, Nadine loves Johnny (Peter Lawford as Don's best friend), Johnny loves Hannah, and Hannah loves Don. But in the end all works out well!
Judy sings some wonderful Irving Berling songs: Easter Parade, It Only Happens When I Dance With You, I Wish I Was In Michigan, Better Luck Next Time and I Love a Piano. This DVD also includes the deleted song "Mr. Monotony" in which she wears the tuxedo top she later wore for her famous "Get Happy" number in Summer Stock.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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Loses something over the years
Added 7/10/2009
Don Hews (Fred Astaire), a song and dance man gets a new contract, he finds out the he is being jilted by the girl he had an understanding with Nadine Hale (Ann Miller); she decides to go off on her own with a different contract and more than willing to also go with their mutual friend Johnny Harlow (Peter Lawford). In an effort to replace, his dance partner and save face, Don finds a quick replacement Hannah Brown (Judy Garland) from his local bar. Can she fill the bill and does Don really know what he wants?
Lots (17) of great Irving Berlin songs. Lots of tap dancing.
Can't tell you of all the years I enjoyed this and similar movies. As with many things, you cannot go home again. Now I see the mechanics and the mismatch of characters to story. Now the film takes effort to get through. They seem to be straining to stay in formula as the story was originally designed for Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse not much too old Fred Astaire and too young Judy Garland.
One redeeming thing about the Special edition DVD is that the voiceover commentary by Astaire's daughter gave the film meaning and made it easier to watch.
Brigadoon
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
Among The Finest Hollywood Musicals
Added 5/2/2009
One of the Hollywood finest and most popular films,and wonderful to have on DVD.There was early gossip in the 1940's that the situations of a standard/formulaic central idea and the glowing stardust magic of Judy Garland at her greatest would result in a film in which Fred Astaire and Judy Garland would captivate while the audience would simply wait for them to come onscreen again. This never happened because the ENTIRE film is a JOY from start to finish. The story proceeds with marvelous comedy and holds you from start to finish. The supporting cast, including Ann Miller and Peter Lawford each at their finest, is so marvelous that they captivate the audience as totally as to Fred and Judy as we all would like to remember them. An example of Hollywood at its MOST GLORIOUS!
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
|
One Of The Better Musicals Of The Classic Era
Added 2/8/2009
When even the VHS looked very good, I knew this DVD of "Easter Parade" might really look spectacular.
It did.
I'm mainly talking about the Technicolor. Man, those Technicolor films in the 1940s were beautiful, as this certainly is.
For entertainment, you get Fred Astaire dancing, Judy Garland singing, Ann Miller dancing, and Peter Lawford singing. I didn't think Lawford could sing, but he's not bad here. The other great talents must have elevated his.
Astaire consistently amazed audiences with his innovative dance routines and smooth style. He does a number here in a toy store that is really something! Miller also gives us a good tap number and Garland's songs are all winners.
This movie is more vehicle for those above-mentioned stars than it is in telling some profound the story. The story is not much, but who cares? It's the dancing, singing, the incredible costumes, overall color, nice people and just plain feel-good musical atmosphere that makes this a popular film, even to this day.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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