Cabalgata de pasiones

This will touch nerves among those of us who ponder what-might-have-been. The title sounds like it's one of those ha-ha overbright 1950s musicals....but in reality, it's a bittersweet flashback tale of a half-century slice of one man's life as a small-town barber, where fate has permanently halted his dreams of success in the big city.

The film steers clear of the cardboard clichés that such films were fond of in the '50s; instead we get thoughtful vignettes (most beautifully photographed) of the progression of events, big and small, through one man's days and years. As such, it becomes at times a mirror that we look into. David Wayne's performance is stunning, and all the other players are ideally cast as well.

This could be the perfect movie.

There are a number of moments of screen magic, but I can't forget the quiet scene of final transition near the film's end as the camera pans away from the barbershop and we find ourselves in the present day.

You'll cheer for the barber, folks. And don't go through life without seeing "Wait 'Til The Sun Shines, Nellie". It's the kind of film greatness we no longer see.

This is the story of a martyr barber starting in the 1890's in a small town and spaning forty years. He suffers one disaster after another - and if you pay attention it was his own fault, such as lying to his wife right at the start. Nonetheless, David Wayne, a major Bdwy star who lost role after role to the movie versions, does a nice job, and Jean Peters is pulchritudinous - and Howard Hughes wife. Never on video - too bad. I'd like to see it again after twenty years or so when it appeared on late-night/early morning TV.

This is a movie that can grab at your heart while it offers a glimpse at fifty years in the life of a small town barber. It's not a well known movie. I first saw it by accident on a local TV station, back when they showed older movies. It's never been released on video but it has been on cable sometimes and I managed to tape it once but hadn't watched it for awhile. Just finished and it has a strong emotional impact, as previous reviewers have also said. Maybe it's a little corny by "modern standards," and to people used to modern movies its pacing may feel a little slow. But it feels true to the time period it covers. The characters and their situations are believable. David Wayne, who usually seemed to play supporting parts, is terrific in the lead. Jean Peters, whom I don't remember seeing in other movies, is gorgeous. If you have a chance, watch this movie. It's really a wonderful film.

I saw this movie when it first was released, and have never been able to forget it (I was only 12 or 13 at the time). I remember very well the story line and the actors. It made such an impression on me and I have looked for it often in the TV schedules, but have never seen it. Correction; I did see it again on TV in the 60s, but not since then. I wish sincerely that this would be made available on video. I would jump at the chance to buy it. A GREAT MOVIE.

I was 13 years old when I saw this movie. I was in an orphanage at the time. I also have never been able to forget it, tho I have trouble remembering the entire movie. I do however remember that it made an impact on me. I would recommend that it be available for all kids to see. Even tho they are more into violence I think they could get something out of it. As a child being affected by it, I still remember the ending and for some reason it has made an impact in the way I have lived my life. It has a moral to it, but you must have the ability to look at the movie in an objective way, unless you have had something happen in your life that is associated with the things in the movie. Since my family was a disaster already happened, I was able to subject myself into the characters plot.