Parole e musica

Even when you consider how these whitewashed Hollywood musical biopic extravaganzas usually play out, "Words and Music" is embarrassingly ill-conceived. MGM might have been wiser to borrow Abbott & Costello from Universal for the roles of Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers. But, the movie is beautifully produced at all times, by Arthur Freed and the studio. And, the musical numbers range from terrific to indispensable. For a song, listen to Mel Tormé doing "Blue Moon"; it's one of the most beautiful renditions of that standard, and became a Capitol hit for Mr. Tormé. For a dance, observe Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen doing "Slaughter on 10th Avenue"; it's a superbly performed and choreographed vignette, and belongs with the best of Mr. Kelly's work.

****** Words and Music (12/9/48) Norman Taurog ~ Mickey Rooney, Tom Drake, Gene Kelly

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.

If you have the patience to sit through one of Mickey Rooney's most frantic and hyperactive performances in which Larry Hart becomes a caricature, you'll be rewarded by some typically stylish MGM musical interludes with stars like Judy Garland, Lena Horne, June Allyson, Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen. Perry Como and Mel Torme both have a chance to warble a couple of Rodgers & Hart tunes too.

The musical numbers have the glossy MGM touch but the main storyline is diminished by allowing Rooney to chew so much scenery that he ends up resembling a frantic wind-up toy--and he's less than convincing when he attempts the heavier melodramatics of the final scenes. He throws the whole picture off gear and makes us yearn for the music to start so we can see cameo turns by MGM's roster of stars. His only good moment is a song routine with Judy Garland that he does in typical Rooneyesque manner.

By contrast, the restrained and natural performances of Tom Drake (as Richard Rodgers) and Janet Leigh (as the girl who becomes his wife Dorothy) are a welcome relief. Betty Garrett does well to in a supporting role as Rooney's highly fictional girlfriend.

The only musical number which failed to charm me was the routine given Ann Sothern for the Garrick Gaieties number. A weak song with even weaker choreography. All of the other numbers are done in high style, especially Judy Garland's solo on the "Johnny One-Note" song and June Allyson's delightful "Thou Swell". Lena Horne also gets a chance to strut her stuff with "The Lady Is A Tramp".

Fans of MGM musicals will love this one--with reservations, perhaps, about its inaccuracies and Rooney's sledgehammer acting. A more serious attempt to play Hart is sorely needed--preferably with another actor in the part.

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.

Words and Music is one of those films that is heavily flawed but is still a pleasure to watch. The failures are mainly to do with the biographical parts, with anachronistic and rather stilted dialogue, an underwritten and stodgily paced story that takes truth liberties to the extent that Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart just don't seem very interesting and the heavier dramatic elements seemed on the ham-fisted side. Unfortunately there are also casting issues too. Tom Drake is so restrained as Rodgers that he comes across as colourless, especially when compared to Mickey Rooney who chews the scenery to pieces with the subtlety of a sledgehammer that seems at odds with the rest of the film. Janet Leigh also has very little to do and her performance doesn't register as a result. The film has lovely sets and costumes though and the cinematography is very nicely done. The music is top drawer with witty lyrics and melodies that are both beautiful and catchy. The choreography brims with sharpness and nostalgia too, and several of the performers are great. Of the musical numbers, my personal highlight was Slaughter on 10th Avenue, utter class of the highest order and danced to perfection by Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen. Very close is Thou Swell, June Allyson performs it with such lively energy, and you have to love the Blackburn Twins' coyness. Blue Room benefits from Perry Como's sensitive singing and Cyd Charise is able to show her elegant dancing and long legs just as beautifully. Mel Torme's rendition of Blue Moon is incredibly touching, as is Judy Garland and Rooney's(his best moment in the film easily) reunion rendition of I Wish I Were in Love Again. Garland's Johnny One-Note charms too and Lena Horne's The Lady is a Tramp is a winner. All in all, the biographical elements don't really work but the musical numbers do and the best ones(Slaughter on 10th Avenue and Thou Swell) are outstanding. 6.5/10 Bethany Cox