El millonario y la corista

I was having just about the worst day of my life. Then I stumbled on this cute film, watched it, and now I'm ready to go out & kiss a streetlamp.

I have to admit, I only watched it for 2 reasons: VERA-ELLEN'S LEGS. But it's really so much more. The plot is actually quite clever and creatively woven. It's almost like a Shakespearean comedy with all of its delightful misunderstandings. And of course there's also... VERA-ELLEN'S LEGS.

The only unfortunate aspect of this film is that the version I purchased (the "100 Family Classics" collection by Mill Creek Entertainment) doesn't have the best video quality, and I've heard the same about the Alpha release. The brightness and contrast are a bit too high, so a lot of the scenes seem bleached out especially when Vera is dancing in a white dress. But I suppose you can fiddle with the controls of your TV set to compensate. I can only imagine how it looked on the big screen back in '51. The stage sets, costumes & colours are otherwise dazzling & delightfully creepy--sort of in a "Cabinet of Dr. Caligari" vein.

As far as the romance goes, this is just perfect. Not sappy, not contrived, not melodramatic. Just 100% ahhhhhh. Too bad, you poor schmucks, your miserable lives will never be as charming as this. Har har har. Wait, what am I laughing at? My life sucks just as bad as yours. Oh hell. Time to watch this movie again.

David Niven et al are charming in this tale involving the confused identity of Niven's character. The love story and humor were more interesting to me than the musical aspects which seemed rather weak except for Vera-Ellen's dancing talent. Depending on your interest, you can fast-forward these scenes. The confused identity situations seemed more natural and less contrived than most movies and certainly were better than today's TV situation comedies.

David Niven is especially good at being David Niven! Ceasar Romero does well, if a little extreme, in his role.

For my money Vera-Ellen was the best all-round female dancer from Hollywood's golden era. There were better tap-dancers such as Eleanor Powell or Ann Miller, but Vera-Ellen was extremely good at all types of dance including balletic movement. She also had just about the most beautiful pair of legs I have ever seen & they are wonderfully show-cased in this movie. Rooprect in his review says there are two reasons for watching this movie, "VERA-ELLEN'S LEGS". For the ladies there are two handsome, suave & sophisticated men, David Niven & Cesar Romero, but Vera-Ellen's legs are reason enough for me! In his review of "Happy Go Lovely", jacob chiong says the plot is "simple & easily digestible, the humour is light & clean". That very succinctly sums it all up, really!.

Happy Go Lovely is an appealing British-American co-production starring David Niven, Vera-Ellen, and Cesar Romero, directed by American Bruce Humberstone.

The story is a light-as-air romantic comedy about a young American dancer, Janet Jones (Vera-Ellen), who is made the star of a 2nd-rate musical show because her producer-boss (Cesar Romero) mistakenly believes that she has become the mistress/fiancée of Scotland's wealthiest man, greeting-card-mogul B.G. Bruno (David Niven), despite the reality that Janet and B.G. have never actually met. The ensuing story allows David Niven to shine in one of his few truly ingratiating romantic leads, ably abetted by the delightful Vera-Ellen.

I love this film. I love Bruce Humberstone comedies. Many of his contemporaries (including movie star Maureen O'Hara) claimed that Humberstone didn't know much about movie making, dubbing him "Lucky Stumblebum" because he kept accidentally making hit movie after hit movie. Humberstone must have had incredible instincts; while none of his films are truly great, none of them are truly terrible, either. And many of them are quite memorable! Humberstone clearly had natural talent.

Humberstone films lack an auteur's vision, originality and inspiration, yes. BUT -- and this is a big BUT -- Humberstone had great instincts for creampuff comedy. His taste level was questionable, but I think that's part of his charm. Humberstone's comedies are always fun to watch, enlivened by musical numbers which mystify* as well as entertain.

* Mystify because... while they are very smoothly integrated into any given show in terms of pacing, Humberstone musical numbers are also shockingly haphazard, the product of random ideas generated by the talent surrounding each production. This gives the numbers an enlivening spark of kitsch and unexpectedness which amuses intellectuals like me. The numbers vary wildly in quality, but that's part of their pleasure. And the music is produced by some very capable professionals who were also responsible for music of many of the greatest British films of this period.

I don't know quite WHY this film is one of my favorite movies of all time. The story is preposterous, but nothing about the film is realistic so that doesn't matter. The film is never boring, but it's not riveting either. Yet, Happy Go Lovely IS a very soothing film to watch... maybe that's why I watch it so much. There is very little tension. Nothing mean or truly unhappy ever happens. The characters have issues and problems, but they're all basically decent human beings. The dark side of life is only hinted at, never exposed. And who doesn't like a good Cinderella story? Especially with David Niven smiling like that, while Vera-Ellen dances up a storm...

After a hard day's work, with all of life's stresses and miseries, there is something so life-affirming and refreshing in taking a dip into a kind, happy bubble-bath of musical romance and loveliness, played by movie stars who simply exude charm. Escapism!

Charming, little British musical much superior to those glossy MGM musicals of the same period. Although David Niven is top billed, this is Vera-Ellens film all the way. She is dazzling in several dance numbers that range from ballet, tap & modern dance - a very versatile dancer!! DVD quality is good - crystal print, lush & brilliant color, and nice sets - check out that gorgeous stain glass door!! Sound is a bit scratchy. This is my favorite Vera Ellen film - she was never lovelier.