Donne... dadi... denaro!

All I remembered was a silly plot, with gambler Dan Dailey and ballerina Cyd Charisse winning at roulette every time they hold hands. It's unimposing stuff, and while screenwriter Isobel Lennart always gave her women characters more to act than most of her male counterparts, this is a pretty thin plot peg. But this wide-screen MGM musical from 1956 does have a lot to recommend it. Dailey, much more of an actor than most dancers, is at his most appealing here, in a glove-fitting role (you only wish he had more to dance), and Charisse, never the most nimble of actresses, loosens up more than usual, looks as sensational as ever, and dances like a dream. There's a fun supporting cast including Lili Darvas, Agnes Moorehead, Jim Backus, a scheming Paul Henreid, and Liliane Montevecchi (decades later, Charisse would replace her on Broadway in "Grand Hotel"), a slew of specialty acts, and, best of all, a Cinemascope look at what Vegas looked like in the '50s. What great cars, great clothes, great colors, how luxe and overstuffed it all is. Produced by Joe Pasternak, who never had as sure a touch as his Metro counterpart Arthur Freed, and directed anonymously by Roy Rowland, it's longer than it has to be and has few surprises. But there's plenty to look at, and we do buy the central romance and want these two to end up together.

MGM, as its glory days began to recede, threw every talent it could gets its hands on into this colorfully tasty little CinemaScope stew. Of course there's the delicious Cyd Charisse, especially leggy in the "Gal with the Yaller Shoes" production number; Cara Williams lending cleverly funny support (Whatever happened to her?); Dan Dailey, a little more engaging than usual; Agnes Moorehead, Jim Backus and Lili Darvas helping Cyd to look like she could act as well as dance; cameos by everyone MGM still had under contract and several others who had escaped or never had labored under that servitude; and a host of performers who help us to remember that one used to go to Las Vegas to see the big-name entertainment in the lounges and showrooms, rather than to gawk at the absurd splendor of the city's extravagantly stupendous hotel/resorts. I assume that the VHS version is (Phooey!) "letterboxed", but I'd add this one to my library if, perchance, they've issued it in a "Deluxe Widescreen Edition"...the ONLY way to fly!

Cyd Charisse has always knocked us off balance with one of the greatest pair of legs in show business. In this film she shows us a human side which, from what I have seen, has always been lacking. She gets drunk as a skunk in a hilarious scene and gets up on the stage with the show girls and instantly outclasses them. She and Dan Dailey really work well together. It seems, in the movie, if they hold hands they will have unbeatable luck in Las Vegas. It creates a situation which everyone who has ever gambled (and there are a few of us) would love to be in. I will play the tape just to watch the tipsy scene but the rest of the picture is also very rewarding. I've always liked Dan Dailey as an actor and performer. Sammy Davis Jr.'s voice is used in a great sexy ballet number "Frankie and Johnny", in which Cyd really wows 'em. I can't imagine anyone doing a better vocal rendition of this particular number. It is a classic. Treat yourself to a better Cyd, a nifty Dan and Sammy's terrific, raucous rendition of "Frankie and Johnny." ... get the video. comment welcome ... babblingbooks@shaw.ca

"Meet me in Las Vegas" was not one of MGM's most elaborate musicals. As directed by Roy Rowland, this film, seen today, is like a trip down memory lane as it gives the viewer an opportunity to see the way Las Vegas looked back in the days when the film was done. That little town is nowhere to be found in the new Las Vegas, a city that, at best, looks like a theme park today. Isobel Lennart is credited with the screen play.

The story centers around two opposites that are as different as day and night. If we believe that Maria Corvier, a first class ballerina has been asked to appear, in all places, one of the big rooms of a hotel, then everything is possible. That she will find love when she meets the down to earth rancher, Chuck Rodwell, that's stretching it a bit too much. But we are not in a real place, we are in movie land where everything is possible.

As a musical, there are a few good moments, especially the "Frankie and Johnny" ballet, in which Cyd Charisse does a marvelous job. The other fun thing in the film is the way some Hollywood stars are seen in cameo roles that come and go too quickly. Thus we see Frank Sinatra, Peter Lorre, Debbie Reynolds, Tony Martin, Vic Damone in fleeting moments throughout the film.

Dan Dailey plays Chuck with his usual ease. The best thing in the film though, is Cyd Charisse, a lovely dancer, and actress that never got her due in the movies. We also see some familiar faces in minor roles, Agnes Moorehead, Lili Darvas, Jim Backus, Cara Williams, and the fine singers Lena Horne and Frankie Laine.

"Meet me in Las Vegas" could have used some trimming, then, perhaps, it might have made a better trip to Vegas.

If you like musicals, you must see this one. There are a lot of very good songs in this one and enough comedy to make this a feel good type movie. Cyd Charisse is charming as always and she and Dan Dailey do very well together. Anges Moorhead naturally, is a great supporting actress. Since the days of light hearted musicals is over for good for all of us who grew up during that period and time, it's nice to be able to go back to the 40's and 50's to view these wonderful days of MGM musicals. I know this movie is out on VHS, but I am anxiously awaiting the day they decide to release it on DVD. If you have 112 min. to spare I suggest you sit back and enjoy this wonderful old movie..