Lady Be Good

Pleasant musical comedy about a songwriting couple (Ann Sothern, Robert Young) who get a divorce because success goes to his head. But they're still in love so their friends conspire to get them back together. Lovely songs, including "The Last Time I Saw Paris." Ann Sothern, adorable as always, does her own singing here and she actually has a nice voice. Great cast includes (in addition to Sothern and Young) Eleanor Powell, Red Skelton, Reginald Owen, Lionel Barrymore, and Virginia O'Brien. Powell's dance number with her dog and "Fascinating Rhythm" finale are classics. Perhaps a little longer than it needed to be for such a simple story but it doesn't drag. It's good fun.

Everyone in this movie is terrific, and the story is one of the better ones among musicals of the period. The songs and dances are great, too, with two of the high points being beautiful Ann Sothern's "The Last Time I Saw Paris" and Eleanor Powell's dancing finale. But most amazing of all is Powell's duet with her dog. This number should be rated along with Fred Astaire's dance on the ceiling in "Royal Wedding" and Donald O'Connor's "Make 'Em Laugh" as one of the best of all time. If you're looking for social commentary, turn on NPR. If you want something deep, find a stable and pick up a shovel. This movie was meant to be fun and entertaining, and it succeeds perfectly on both counts.

I found this musical with not many (or any) big production numbers until the end rather dull, despite the involvement of the great Busby Berkeley. It was a little odd to see Eleanor Powell shuffled off to a second-banana, gal-pal role, though she does eventually get her big dance number. MGM could load on the "more stars than there are in Heaven", couldn't they? Lionel Barrymore and Red Skelton have relatively minor roles in this one. I had to roll my eyes when Ann Sothern and Powell have just gotten back to their place straight from divorce court, and Robert Young calls, and they're like giddy teenagers. I mean, you just got divorced ten minutes ago and you're already trying to figure out how to win him back? Only in the movies ...

Eleanor Powell must be the greatest female dancer of all time. The camera movement and stage settings are unbelievable. TCM movies own some wonderful gems and Turner is a genius.

The quality of the print seems perfect. I saw only the ending and per the other comment I was blessed with a great trigger. The dance was long and interesting from the beginning. When EP started it was very subtle but nonetheless fascinating. Little clicks and hand motions lead me to believe she was just window candy but she progressed into an amazing routine with such complexity that you forget how intricate it was by virtue of the simple start. A camera change revels a new perspective that plays perfectly into the remaining steps. It's ends beautifully.

Robert Young, Ann Sothern, Eleanor Parker, Red Skelton, and Lionel Barrymore star in "Lady Be Good," a 1941 film about two married and then unmarried songwriters.

He (Young) writes the music, she (Sothern) writes the words, but once Dixie and Eddie Crane become successes, Eddie becomes a little taken with the Park Avenue set and Dixie, bored by the whole thing, suggests that they divorce. They do, but they soon find themselves working together again, and Eddie wants to re-marry Dixie.

Sothern sings beautifully, and Young has a pleasant voice as they croon their way through various songs. Sothern sings "You'll Never Know," and "The Last Time I Saw Paris," and Young duets with her in "Your Words and My Music" and "Lady Be Good." The film's real energy comes from Eleanor Parker, who is beautiful and does two terrific numbers, "Lady Be Good" with Buttons the dog, and "Fascinatin' Rhythm," choreographed by Busby Berkeley. Had this movie been better, you'd be seeing both her numbers in movie musical documentaries and film compilations today. They're terrific. The Berry Brothers are outstanding, and in the same section, do a phenomenal number.

Sothern is lovely and delightful as always, and Young is an affable leading man. I wish there had been more of a script for all this talent.