bear1955

I was very much absorbed into numerous views of a NY that is gone. Much physically gone, it is the zeitgeist one who knew it, can feel a longing for. Not a word I have used, and I hope this is good usage Notably, visually, it is at the beginning of the graffiti era I was young. I observe this as during this time filming, I commuted by subway from NorthEast Bx for 2 of my High School years to one on E57 St. Was always energized by brief stops in midtown before trip home (and really no money to spend).

I also know back then, one could go early into the streets of lower Manhattan, onto the old piers, and even other sections, without many people around. Perhaps those days would make you feel like dancing in the street. Amazing pop, Motown, rock. None for soundtrack of the film.

Translated onto screen is the energy, positivity and 'faith' in some kind of power to change society, by the spawn of the upper middle class had back then, is quite remarkable. Glad too, it is not another period Hollywood ode to tuning out turning on and to hell with old-fart middle-America.

What a great eyeful it is. Who is that slim and has that much energy nowadays? I gave in to the actors romping and hamming it up, mostly ...though sometimes I don't want to see theater on film.

Too bad i hardly can stand to watch through on the first showing on TCM I just 'ran into' now. I can't comment regarding the religious aspects (..not being Christian nor 'religious', only knowing some of the basics regarding that. I've turned away and back a few times. Being not quite so enthusiastic of the narrative, even much of the songs.

I think this is a must-see once, for fans of Fred, 'musicals' and of films the period. Or perhaps just see the most famous dancing scene in one of the 'That's Entertainment' films and skip this whole movie. I like 'slamming' this.

It is curious and distasteful (Astaire close to being sugar daddy-ish) to have FA and JP as a brother and sister act. Invoking romance seeking etc. WHAAAAT, as Oprah would say. Not there not a female to act as a real romantic interest opposite Fred Astaire to be found anymore?

The movie dances around what is or was supposed to be a huge historic moment. Being truly the big hole in the story. I think to have a 1951 film invoking the 1947 wedding of Phillip and Princess Elizabeth, was extremely poor form. 'They' were lucky it got out before Feb. 6 1952!

These films traded on old pre-war, vaudeville or earlier in the 20th cent, music and comedy. Making up false brother-sister, family comedy and musical teams. Subpar stuff from big names in acting the studios. 'B' or "C"? Musicals, rife with thrown-in old standards and fictionalized origins stories to please the new senior citizens (perhaps even my grandparents?) in this post WW2 era with a bit of comfort and safety as the unsettling sound of contemporary jazz and pre-rock crept forward.

My Mom and others of similar age (born mid '30s ) had to be told there were NO 'Barclay's of Broadway", for example. Because I looked it up! My grandparents have been gone so may years, never had chance to hear about what they watched which surely included silents and seen the old Yiddish theater and vaudeville in NYC.