Transatlântico de Luxo

If you are a fan of Jane Powell, this is a must-watch. She shows off all of her talents from her lovely soprano voice, gorgeous looks, charm and acting ability. George Brent is very solid as her honorable captain father. The writers play up a common theme in Powell's early pictures at MGM, showing her as a teenager who chases after or pursues/flirts with older men. It is almost as if they made her grow up quicker. She got married the next year at the age of 20. Depending on when they filmed this movie, she was either 18 or 19. Powell was very talented in the way she could show innocence but also the steely resolve of somebody who was the breadwinner for her Oregon family which came from humble roots. I think a 6.5 would be a fair rating for this movie if one appreciates the talents of Powell, who was really a sensational talent who didn't really get a chance to show everything she may have been capable of on screen due to limited role choices.

MGM's musicals are meant to be enjoyed and this one sure is. Simple plot of daughter of captain (JANE POWELL and GEORGE BRENT) stows away on his liner. Typical funny business and misunderstandings pursue and it all comes out just fine in the end. But of course!! Remember, LUXURY LINER is an MGM entertainment, not message film. JANE POWELL excel is her performance and the beautfiful FRANCES GIFFORD (whom I never head of) is one great leading lady. Wish she had made more films. Good music helps this unbelievable story line just fine. There seems to have been some footage left on the cutting room floor as a couple of scenes don't make sense, and where does JANE get all that wardrobe when she stows away with a shirt and pair of jeans?? Oh well, again, remember, it's an MGM musical. Doesn't have to make sense, just entertain, which it certainly does. A must see for fans of this ilk.

Jane Powell steps into a role that a decade earlier Deanna Durbin was playing over at Univeral Pictures and making great money at it. Little wholesome Miss Fixit who solves everyone's problems before the film is over and the audience gets a cadenza or two.

Luxury Liner has Jane an opera aspiring daughter of passenger liner captain George Brent. There's an opera festival in Rio and Jane just has to go and the captain says no. What to do, simply stow away, especially with the great tenor Lauritz Melchior on board.

In fact besides Jane and Melchior we also have the Pied Pipers late of the Tommy Dorsey orchestra and the ship's orchestra is that of Xavier Cugat which is perfect for a cruise south of the border. As you can see the musical guests run quite a gamut of musical taste.

Luxury Liner is a nice easy to take musical and quite frankly I miss the days when young teen stars had a great singing range like Deanna Durbin, Jane Powell, Susanna Foster, Gloria Jean. We haven't heard arias from teen mouths in decades.

The story may be schmaltzy, but this movie is so charming and refreshing I find it impossible not to like. It looks lovely, with evergreen cinematography, beautiful costumes and lovingly-rendered ship. And the music is like a treasure trove, just utterly amazing to listen to, The Peanut Vendor and Wintersturme are particularly wonderful. The movie runs 98 minutes or so, and for me it is a 98 minutes well spent, the film does move briskly and is full of charm, exuberance and freshness. The direction is able, as is the script. And yes I loved the performances, Jane Powell is just a gem in this film. She looks utterly gorgeous with a darling, beautiful face and she sings wonderfully. Her duets with Lauritz Melchoir are lovely, he may have the stronger voice but she blends pretty well with him. George Brent is more than a pretty face as well, he is funny and he is cute, and Lauritz Melchoir as Olaf Eriksen(aka. My Sinatra) is a sheer delight. Hardly surprising as here he has a homely and warm presence with a huge ringing voice, no wonder he was considered one of the greatest Wagnerian tenors of the twentieth century because his Wintersturme was really powerful. Overall, a real treasure with wonderful music and performances. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Polly Bradford (Jane Powell) is getting left behind as her father Jeremy Bradford (George Brent) captains his ship to Rio. She leaves school and sneaks onboard. He puts her to work in the galley. She befriends heartbroken passenger Laura Dene (Frances Gifford) and is obsessed with fellow passengers opera performers Olaf and Zita. Jane Powell is doing her flighty sassy teenager role. I can do without the opera. Otherwise, it's light fun and light romantic adventures. It's all very light like a Love Boat episode.