Viva Las Vegas

Okay, so "Singing in the Rain" it's not, it's still better than... okay, I can't think of anything off the top of my head, but it's an enjoyable movie with lots of singing, dancing, pretty colors and fun cameos from a host of stars. AND it has the best version of "Frankie & Johnny" I've ever heard -- courtesy of Sammy Davis Jr.

Cyd Charisse is in the top ten of 'the-most-gorgeous-and-talented-women-to-ever-appear-in-movies'. She is displayed like a flawless multi-carat gemstone in "Meet Me in Las Vegas". In fact, there are so many gorgeous women in this movie my eyes bugged out. Wowie-wow-wOw!

If you don't like musicals, forget this one, it's just a cute diversion. If you DO like musicals, don't miss this one. It's a tad long, but it's still a winner.

No one can dance like Cyd Charise. Her grace is captivating. It's like watching a ballet. Her technique is purely her own style. She was ahead of her time with her routines. I recommend this movie for anyone who enjoys watching colorful costumes and playful, entertaining dancers.

MGM, as its glory days began to recede, threw every talent it could gets its hands on into this colorfully tasty little CinemaScope stew. Of course there's the delicious Cyd Charisse, especially leggy in the "Gal with the Yaller Shoes" production number; Cara Williams lending cleverly funny support (Whatever happened to her?); Dan Dailey, a little more engaging than usual; Agnes Moorehead, Jim Backus and Lili Darvas helping Cyd to look like she could act as well as dance; cameos by everyone MGM still had under contract and several others who had escaped or never had labored under that servitude; and a host of performers who help us to remember that one used to go to Las Vegas to see the big-name entertainment in the lounges and showrooms, rather than to gawk at the absurd splendor of the city's extravagantly stupendous hotel/resorts. I assume that the VHS version is (Phooey!) "letterboxed", but I'd add this one to my library if, perchance, they've issued it in a "Deluxe Widescreen Edition"...the ONLY way to fly!

MEET ME IN LAS VEGAS comes in toward the end of MGM's golden age. A fun story here about a gambler (Dan Dailey) who only has luck while holding the hand of ballerina Cyd Charisse. Cyd has several gorgeous dance numbers here, including a stunning "Frankie and Johnny" with vocal by Sammy Davis, Jr. The film is crammed to the gunwales with guest stars including Lena Horne, Jerry Colonna, Frankie Laine, and an adorable young Japanese singer named Mitsuko Sawamura. There are many fleeting cameos, too including Peter Lorre, Frank Sinatra and Debbie Reynolds. Special mention should be made of Cara Williams' smashing rendition of "I Refuse To Rock And Roll," where she sets the screen on fire. Agnes Moorehead is effective as Dailey's Mother. A sharp eye will notice Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou from THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW) in a tiny part. This film is a product of 1956, set in the US's gaudiest city, and the colorful decor is properly gaudy. Car lovers will swoon over the red 1956 Lincoln convertible Dan Dailey drives in the picture. This is done in Eastman Color, which is notorious for fading, but this print has gorgeous color that could easily be mistaken for Technicolor. The sound is clear and robust, and does justice to the many musical numbers. You could find many worse ways to spend two hours than by enjoying the many charms of MEET ME IN LAS VEGAS.

Cyd Charisse has always knocked us off balance with one of the greatest pair of legs in show business. In this film she shows us a human side which, from what I have seen, has always been lacking. She gets drunk as a skunk in a hilarious scene and gets up on the stage with the show girls and instantly outclasses them. She and Dan Dailey really work well together. It seems, in the movie, if they hold hands they will have unbeatable luck in Las Vegas. It creates a situation which everyone who has ever gambled (and there are a few of us) would love to be in. I will play the tape just to watch the tipsy scene but the rest of the picture is also very rewarding. I've always liked Dan Dailey as an actor and performer. Sammy Davis Jr.'s voice is used in a great sexy ballet number "Frankie and Johnny", in which Cyd really wows 'em. I can't imagine anyone doing a better vocal rendition of this particular number. It is a classic. Treat yourself to a better Cyd, a nifty Dan and Sammy's terrific, raucous rendition of "Frankie and Johnny." ... get the video. comment welcome ... babblingbooks@shaw.ca