Just One More Time

MGM captures the essence of the MGM musical with this short subject which is really a tribute to their forthcoming release of THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT.

Stars of MGM musicals talk briefly about their participation in these extraordinary films--talents like Bing Crosby, James Stewart, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Peter Lawford, Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Donald O'Connor, Mickey Rooney, Debbie Reynolds, Eleanor Powell, Clark Gable, Esther Williams--all shown in various musical moments.

What really stands out as a surprise is Clark Gable doing "Putting on the Ritz" from "Idiot's Delight." He doesn't look too comfortable, especially when contrasted with all the real MGM dancing talent.

Clips from HIT THE DECK, SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, AN AMERICAIN Paris, SHOW BOAT, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS and BAND WAGON give the viewer a good idea of how elaborate and beautifully staged all these musicals were with some of the best talent before and behind the camera.

Just One More Time is the title of a promotional film that I'm guessing was meant to be filler on one of the three networks when any one of them had time to fill from running one of the theatrical movies that ran a little short in the alloted two-hour slot. What this short was promoting was the upcoming release of That's Entertainment! M-G-M's 50th anniversary compilation tribute to their great musicals of the studio's Golden Age. The clips from the vintage films and the surviving stars' hosting segments are virtually the same as what appeared in the feature but many of the host scenes are shown at different angles than what appeared in the final print. And those dilapidated sets they posed in front of are shown being torn down. You also see people in the editing room picking scenes from a movieola. Interesting to look at but not really necessary to watch if you've already seen the first TE.

This is a promotional film that was made for the release of "That's Entertainment" and is included on the bonus disc for this feature film. And, like any promotional film, it's meant to drum up excitement for the upcoming film--so there are no huge surprises. In addition to many contemporary clips of stars talking about MGM in 1974, there are lots of clips of classic MGM films--sort of like a mini version of "That's Entertainment"--a taste of what the feature film is like.

One thing surprised me about this featurette is the quality of the print. It was highly degraded and scratchy--but fortunately the film on disc 1 was restored and much more watchable. I also thought it was ironic how MGM talked about their great past and how they were celebrating it--and only a few years later sold off all their props and costumes for next to nothing! A but hypocritical, huh?

By the way, one thing they said repeatedly during this film is that 'MGM created the musical'. Well, they didn't. In the early days of talkies, Warner Brothers was at least as active in making musicals and made some of the very best ones in the late 20s and early 30s (along with MGM). The difference is that soon Warner lost interest in this genre and MGM was the premier musical studio of the late 30s on in regard to musicals. Just wanted to set the record straight.