Are You with It?

I wasn't born yet, but in November of 1947, my mother won "Queen for a Day". One of many prizes she won was an all expense paid trip to Hollywood, CA for her and my father. While in California, they got to spend some time on the set where Donald O'Connor was filming "Are You With It". (released in 1948). My father passed away in 1987, I had to fly from Sacramento, CA back to Philadelphia, PA. for the funeral. On the plane, sitting next to his lovely wife was unmistakeably Donald O'Connor! They were in first Class, I wasn't. We exchanged pleasantries for a brief moment, but before I could tell him about my mother, i.e., the "Queen for a Day" thing...the flight attendant jabbed and pushed me into the back of the plane as though I had some kind of communicable disease. Now, I have no doubt that Donald O'Connor had personally met millions of his fans, but even an actor on that level would have to had remembered a visit to his sound stage from the winner of "Queen for a Day". I never did get to see the movie, but one day I will. I rated it a 10 because while watching it, I'll be totally aware that while some of those scenes were being shot, just out of frame was my mother and father, like a couple of wide-eyed kids in their absolute glory, watching all of the magic of Hollywood.

I am a huge Donald O'Connor fan, and own about 33 of the 54 films he made. People tend to critize this film, however, in reality, this movie lived up to all it was supposed to be. This is one of the many 1940s B-musicals Donald did in his career, and I think that these films showcase some of Donald's best work. The story isn't much, and there are few song and dance numbers, but Donald O'Connor's talent and charm can make you forget all about that. Even in a character as different as this one is for him, he manages to still shine on screen. My favorite sequence, is the bar scene where Donald explains dancing using mathematics. It shows his incredible versitility as a dancer as he leaps and taps on every object imaginable. It shows the loveable hoofer doing what he did best. If you are looking for a big splashy MGM size musical this is not for you. However, if you love old musicals that are charming and fun, without big extravagent numbers, this is a great movie to see.

Actuary Donald O'Connor misplaces a decimal point and doesn't get the promotion at the insurance firm. He wanders the parks of Hartford. Lew Parker waylays him and impressed by his ability to predict when slot machines will pay off and how to dance -- all done by mathematics, of course -- he takes him back to Walter Catlett's carnival, where he becomes a hit.

Parker was in the Broadway show, but nothing else. They even used all-new musical numbers, despite some sprightly Harry Revel tunes. The loose and simple plot is an opportunity stage dance numbers choreographed by Louis Da Pron (who plays a dancing bartender in the first number). The movie version's songs aren't much to write home about, but O'Connor's confident hoofing, Parker's fast-talking patter, and the charms of Olga San Juan, Martha Stewart -- not that one! -- and Patricia Dane help to make this a very pleasant musical.

This is one of the few of Donald O'Connor's Universal movies I managed to watch on YouTube. Never mind the plot of this one since it's mainly his dances that I was most interested in seeing. He dances well with Lew Parker and Louis Da Pron in a bar sequence. Olga San Juan and Martha Stewart (no, not THAT one) also do well in their singing and dancing numbers. Many lines were pretty amusing but there wasn't anything I'd consider hilarious. The carnival atmosphere was nice to look at though I half-wondered why this wasn't shot in Technicolor especially when Donald also danced with a couple of fine-looking ladies in a number that may have been inspired by Arabian Nights. So on that note, Are You with It? is worth a look for any fan of Donald O'Connor.

I had never seen it before, until only a few days ago- and during that weeks' time, I have watched it I believe once on each day of the week. The story is simply delightful, the music the best. Donald O'Connor is always heaven to see, to hear, and he can act wonderfully.

The music is heavenly! Down at Baba's Alley, and What Do I Have To Do, and I'm Looking For a Prince of a Fella'- all delight to hear! I can never get enough of it- it's all the good words in all the good languages! Carefree and joyful, and a very wonderfully funny plot, to the very instant you hear Milton's matter-of-fact speech.

The characters all very bright and cheerful- I have nothing bad to say about it, only good sentiments!