Champagne for Two

George Reeves runs a Spanish-themed night club starring his wife Lita Baron. One day scrubwoman Ida Moore comes in to report she overheard two men planning a robbery of the club.

It's a very good short for the specialty numbers, including comic dances, Miss Baron singing several numbers, and bright, bright Technicolor. The print I looked at had a strangely variable quality that seemed to depend on the lighting levels, or perhaps the printing was off; in any cases, it suddenly turned grainy when lavenders appeared.

The story attached to hold together the specialties is a nice one, too. With Griff Barnett, Billy Daniel, and Ray Teal.

Second Paramount's musical parade short featurette. Lita Baron was a Spanish singer that joined Xavier Cugat orchestra performing in several clubs until she was discovered by Hollywood and put in several films. 4'11'' Lita married 6'4''Rory Calhoun making a funny couple. They recorded the album "His and hers" together and both starred in the western High valley before filing for divorce in the late 60s. In this short Lita plays the wife of the club (George Reeves, later tv series' superman) and also the club singer, providing a fun entertainment, full of colour and rhythm. Nice to watch. Thanks to our Aussie friend.

When "Mrs. Cowdy" (Ida Moore) turns up at a swanky club ran by "Jerry" (George Reeves) she tells him of a conversation she overheard suggesting that as soon as he and wife "Lita" (Lita Baron) take off for their much anticipated holiday, a gang are going to rob the place. He immediately calls the cops and as they are convinced of the old girl's integrity, arrange a sting operation. The only way they can apprehend the conspirators, though, is if she is in the building so "Jerry" invites her and her husband to dine there and then point out the baddies. Fairly quickly, the penny drops and we cotton onto the real agenda here, but I'm not sure the story is really so important. This seems more designed as a showcase for Baron to perform some lively music and dance routines, and with the embryonic Technicolor enhancing her colourful costumes, the film sails easily towards a conclusion that seemed quite fitting. You'll never remember the film, but it might remind you about your wedding anniversary!

This is one of the best short films I've seen recently. It's so simple, yet so beautifully done and sentimental at the end without being too mawkish. All of the actors and actresses involved are perfect in their roles, especially George Reeves. Reeves is mainly known for playing Superman in the 1950's versions of the superhero (yes, darling, they had superhero movies back then too), but here he shows real depth and intelligence in this role, something he was never given credit for. Rock Hudson had a similar issue with his career. Both were genuinely good actors who were dismissed at pretty boys.

A wonderful short that was more moving and sweet than practically everything that's out at the cinema these days.