MovieChat Forums > Easter Parade (1948) Discussion > i'm a bit disappointed

i'm a bit disappointed

posted 17 years ago by a_rarden
5 replies | jump to latest

I love Fred Astaire, but I have to admit that I'm a bit disappointed in Easter Parade.

I loved Fred in The Gay Divorcee and one of my very favorite movies is Holiday Inn. So when I heard that there was a small string of movies made that all started from the original Holiday Inn scores, I was really looking forward to seeing them...especially Easter Parade. I finally caught it on TCM tonight.

Fred did great in his acting, singing and dancing (of course), and I was pretty impressed with Ann Miller (this was the first movie I've seen her in), but the movie itself just didn't do it for me.

**okay people...get ready to shun, beause I know there will be plenty of you out there who will dislike what you're about to read**

I think part of what I didnt like about it was Judy Garland. I just don't think she did very good in it. I've seen two movies with her in it that I can enjoy: (1) Wizard of Oz (because she was young enough in her acting career to be excused for some of her childish acting), and (2) Meet Me In St. Louis (because the story, the music, and the actors surrounding her were so great that you could overlook her faults).

But, because of Fred Astaire and Ann Miller, I will consider giving the movie another few tries, and you never know...it may grow on me eventually

[–] axsmashcrushallthree 17 years ago

No shunning at all - everyone is entitled to her/his opinion. I'm one of these people who thinks that Judy Garland was the greatest talent ever to grace a stage or screen, but there's plenty of entertainment to go around...

If you want to explore Judy Garland's acting, you might check out "The Clock" and of course, the towering musical version of "A Star is Born" with James Mason - she's absolutely heartbreaking in both films. She's also very good in "A Child is Waiting" and "Judgment at Nuremberg".

[–] swing_gal2 17 years ago

I won't shun you, either, but I will disagree. I think Fred Astaire is phenomenal in this movie, but for me it was Judy Garland that made the film stand out. Her comedic timing is very impressive to me. Especially in the scene when she has her first rehearsal with Fred's character, Don. I don't think I have ever laughed out loud quite so hard as I did during that scene.

I believe she was only 25 during this movie, which blows me away. Have you ever seen her in Summer Stock with Gene Kelly? Give that movie a chance. It's a lot of fun, and you might enjoy it.

Perhaps if you watched a few more of her films you'd grow to like her. I don't know, but it's worth a try, isn't it?

[–] Mithol 17 years ago

I enjoyed it a lot. Judy Garland wasn't great. :S But I liked her in Walking Up The Avenue. :) Though the movie was slightly jolty because I watched it on the computer in 11 parts.

However, Fred Astaire made it totally worth it! I thought it was sooo cute. xD And I got the biggest shiver when Fred kissed her! It was so unexpected (that's the best) and cos he barely ever kissed Ginger, it was pretty awesome too.

I LOVE him!

~Formerly known as "eowynmaiar".

[–] conchord_phan 16 years ago

I didn't like how immature Garland's character was, after Astaire's character was all modest about knowing Miller's character. "Were you in love with her?" then, without an answer, Garland storms off.

Treat each day as if it were the last. Please be a child sponser for World Vision.

[–] gbennett5 14 years ago

I, too, feel Garland was the greatest film talent EVER to grace the screen.
I would give you some slack if you were just talking about this film, as
Garland IS somewhat edgy and nervous (the great British author David
Shipman once (accurately) noted, "from the late '40s onward, there is a
nervousness in her work"). But her work in "St. Louis" and "Oz" is
exceptional (especially the latter, where she gives such a well-rounded,
controlled performance). BUT...she wasn't everyone's cup of tea. I
consider myself blessed to appreciate such a profound artist who left
such a stunning body of work.