La Belle de l'Alaska

Set in the days of the great Canadian Gold Rush, this rousing musical stars Randolph Scott as a "reformed" con artist-turned-dance hall owner whose girlfriend, singer Gypsy Rose Lee, tries to keep him on the straight and narrow. I really like this type of film, as it reminds me of French movies where it's more about the characters and their environment. It also reminds me of some of those sombre Chinese films that were popular back in the 1990. From an artistic standpoint, it holds its own. From an artistic standpoint, there were some plot elements and character developments I didn't think were totally needed. They do however drive the story, which seemed to be their purpose. 7 outta 10.

Definitely it wasn't fit as a true western as supposed to be, a Musical maybe or a Comedy, certainly it was all them, mixing three genres at once, a colorful picture on the exact meaning of the word, set at Yukon on gold rush it's really enjoyable, not Randolph Scott's trademark who plays a honest Saloon's owner John Calhoun with big stage set to present dancing girls and fabulous brunette singer as Lettie Candless (Dinah Shore) when arrive his newest hired star Belle De Valle (Gypsy Rose Lee) an old acquaintance of Calhoun, the plot is bit silly, however works, there are several gorgeous girls, plenty humor in every single scene, although no action at all, but easy to see, the songs are outdated by now, nevertheless it doesn't hurt anyone, the power trio Charles Winninger as Pop, Guinn Williams as rough Sherriff and the newcomer Bob Burns as Sam Slade bringing together an outstanding performance and became the movie palatable for all tastes!!

Resume:

First watch: 2010 / How many: 2 / Source: DVD / Rating: 6.5

Although the plot of Belle of the Yukon is so tired that its not worth recounting (but isn't this true of most old musicals?), this gorgeously technicolored musical/western has some pleasing elements of interest for fans of 1940's nostalgia. The young, brunette Dinah Shore (with an eye-poppingly voluptuous figure) sings beautifully two lovely standards, "Like Someone in Love," and "Sleighride in July." What a warm, pleasing voice she had. One of the all-time great singers. Her blonde, blue-eyed love interest, William Marshall, is so ridiculously pretty that he looks like a vintage comic book hero come to life. Gypsy Rose Lee is relaxed and fun with her foot-high pompadours and Belle Epoque gowns by Don Loper, and a very handsome Randolph Scott is clearly enjoying himself.

Supposedly set in the old Klondike at the time of the gold rush; we get a jokey opening narration similar to the prologue three years earlier to 'Louisiana Purchase' (1941) advising us in advance that we will be getting glossy escapism, not gritty realism. We see little of the film's hinterland setting beyond a brief shot of what looks like a black & white photograph of a couple of mountains; and the story could just as easily have been set in a speakeasy during prohibition or a contemporary New York nightclub. However, 'Belle of Chicago' or 'Belle of Brooklyn' wouldn't have had quite the same ring - or accommodated Don Loper's colossal saloon set in which most of the action takes place; and which along with his costumes and choreography (dressed in Technicolor by veteran cameraman Ray Rennahan) look as if they consumed about half the film's budget. All those chorus girls in glossy red lipstick flinging their legs in the air would also have been more likely to have encountered problems with the Hays Office in a contemporary setting.

No one character ever seems to be the focus of the film; but being the tallest - as well as being Randolph Scott - a smiling Scott just about qualifies as the film's central hero. Although in the title role, Gypsy Rose Lee functions more as Dinah Shore's female buddy; and with their long faces, matching blood red lipstick, alarmingly corseted dresses and vertical hairstyles could pass for sisters. The 'action' tends to consist mainly of the two girls singing about their burgeoning romantic passions, until there is finally a conclusion appropriate to a western when Robert Armstrong (who alone appears to be acting in something more rugged) organises a bank robbery to end the film with something passing for action.

Some of the sets are sufficiently stylised to have possibly helped ten years later to inspire those for 'Red Garters'; or Vienna's saloon in 'Johnny Guitar'. The film's most eye-popping use of colour is saved for the final scene when the chorus are shot from below energetically dancing the Can-Can, although their pale green dresses flicking about their rose red petticoats manage to look remarkably like costumes from a two-colour rather than a three-strip Technicolor production.

I like this movie as it represents a different style & is refreshing. The costumes & scenery are outstanding & quite something to see especially in colour. I can watch this movie over & over again without being bored. The characters are well played & entertaining. I'm glad I came across it & thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a nice change to see Randolph Scott play a different type of role & I think he must have had 'fun' doing this movie. Gypsy Rose Lee is perfect in her role as the "Belle of the Yukon". Dinah Shore is well suited as the 'Nightingale of the North' with her singing. The comedic undertones add a lift to the movie & keeps it rolling. All in all this is a light & entertaining type of movie.