bstarr-99077

I skipped the second installment of the Danube series but figured the last might be the best. Well it wasn't. Who decided that a professional actor would be camera shy and shun publicity and need a publicist to make him friendly to his fans? The publicist is annoying throughout but yet she is the woman of his dreams! The actors are miscast, neither are believable as real people. The plot has been done so many times that it should be shelved. If not for the scenery this movie would sink to the bottom of the Danube where it belongs. Hallmark has to find some new stories please, and stop recycling scripts.

The MGM movie with Howard Keel and Katherine Greyson is superior in some ways. The principal movie actors are better suited in age , the singers are more musical and the dance numbers cannot be matched by the current version.

However, the story, the songs from Cole Porter remain timely with clever lyrics.

There is some updating with current sensibilities about male/female roles in today's world. Not having the opportunity to see the original Broadway stage version from the 1940's it is difficult to know how closely this version honors the past. This is a lively performance and if you have never seen the movie you will be well satisfied.