Words and Music

I enjoyed the hell out of this picture. Mickey Rooney should have been nominated, one of the best things he ever did. He has enormous energy, presence, more talent than should be legal and is riveting on the screen.

Most all of the reviews of this picture conclude that they hate it. Why? It's not an accurate portrayal of Hart's life. SO WHAT! You want facts, read the biography.

It is a fully enjoyable musical with wonderful songs and dances by some of the most talented people of the last 100 years. They don't write songs like this anymore, they don't have talent like this anymore. Mickey Rooney was terrific, Gene Kelly was athelitic and wonderful, June Allyson was cute and adorable, this entire picture is just a fine example of the Musical Art I think many of those who dislike this picture need to lighten up and enjoy the Words and the Music! Life's to short for the petty objections related in most of the other reviews.

For years, I read again and again that this movie would disappoint me, that it was a waste of talent, that it was badly fictionalized, et cetera. What a load of hooey! The dialog is crisp and rings true, the musical numbers are full to the brim with pep and style, and the performances are nothing short of masterful! If you like music, Broadway, and old-fashioned musical brilliance, then this is the movie for you. I hate to sound like an advertisement, but you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll sing along, you'll dance in your seat! This is movie is not to be mistaken for a masterpiece, despite all of this. It is a very standard musical for the period and for the MGM style -- but that's the best!

This technicolor musical biopic from MGM and director Norman Taurog charts the lives of songwriter Richard Rodgers (Tom Drake) and lyricist Lorenz Hart (Mickey Rooney), from their early successes, to their mid-career successes, to their late career successes. We also see their various romances, bot the successes and the failures.

This movie can be looked at in two parts: a biopic, and a musical showcase. As far as biopics go, this was horrendous, as not only does it not shed any real light on who Rodgers and Hart were, or take a serious look at their process, it portrays character traits that are completely fictitious, while ignoring others that are integral to understanding who these men were, particularly Hart. On the musical front, as usual, if you're a fan of this type of music, and these particular songwriters, then you'll most likely love it, as there are some of Hollywood's best belting out the tunes. I enjoyed the "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" ballet sequence with Kelly and Vera-Ellen, even if the latter looked a bit like she was suffering from a hip disorder rather then as if she were dancing.

A sanitized account of the personal lives and professional partnership of Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart. Tom Drake is his usual bland self as Rogers and Mickey Rooney is characteristically over-the-top as the self-destructive, troubled Hart. (According to the film, Hart's problems stemmed from a failed romance with a singer, played here by Betty Garrett. In truth, Hart was gay but this was only part of what contributed to his complicated personality.) The film is notable only for its many musical numbers. Among the highlights: Lena Horne's masterful rendition of "Where or When" and "The Lady is a Tramp"; June Allyson and the Blackburn Twins' charming "Thou Swell"; and Judy Garland and Rooney's spirited "I Wish I Were In Love Again" as well as Garland's dynamic "Johnny One Note". The show-stopper, however, is the brilliant jazz ballet, "Slaughter On Tenth Avenue", choreographed by Gene Kelly and danced expertly by Kelly and the fabulous Vera-Ellen. It, alone, is worth the price of admission.

Among the leading cast of "Words and Music" are 5 fine talented performers who posed great problems for future casting. They're all ideally presented here to utilize their best assets.

The stars are Tom Drake, Betty Garrett, Marshall Thompson, Perry Como and Lena Horne. All super-gifted, providing they're given the right forum.

Drake was forever the "boy next door," and his charming, naive persona was seldom as well used as here and in "Meet Me in St. Louis." Garrett had a great personality and contralto voice, who was seldom allowed to show her full potential.

Thompson was the perfect supporting player but, like Tom Drake, limited to lightweight parts which came few and far between.

Como and Horne, while superstars as singers and entertainers, were likewise limited to "specialties" in films rather than leading roles. Como went on to star in his own tv show, which lasted for many seasons. But Horne represented a truly great talent who was wasted in terms of future acting roles and other musical offerings.

They're all presented in "Words and Music" in their element, and come across beautifully. Other stars are well featured in this fictionalized and Hollywoodized bio of two great songwriters, Rodgers and Hart.

What wonderful music this collaboration rendered musical theater, and this film preserves many of their best numbers.