MovieChat Forums > Words and Music (1948) Discussion > Why this is a good film

Why this is a good film

posted 13 years ago by dmnemaine
5 replies | jump to latest

The musical numbers are fantastic -- even better than the similar "Till The Clouds Roll By". Topping off the list is June Allyson's "Thou Swell", possibly worth watching the entire film just for that number alone. Garland's duet with Mickey Rooney, and her "Johnny One Note" are outstanding. "Slaughter On Tenth Avenue" is one of Gene Kelly's best film ballets, and Vera-Ellen never looked better. Ann Sothern's "Where's That Rainbow?" is great. Perry Como's "Mountain Greenery" and "Blue Room", with Cyd Charisse's beautiful dancing greatly enhancing the latter. Add to that Mel Tormé's touching rendition of "Blue Moon" and Betty Garrett's "There's A Small Hotel". The musical numbers more than make up for the what there is of a "story". This is one of those films where the point is the musical performances, not the framework they're hanging on. People went to see a film like this exactly for that reason, and didn't get hung up on the "story".

[–] Sheila_Beers 13 years ago

Sheila Beers
I agree this is an excellent film and a wonderful showcase of talent. I wish we had equally talented people in films and on stage today.

[–] dmnemaine 11 years ago

I think we do have the talent now, it's just not being used. One person in particular that I think would be a natural for musical films is Seth Macfarlane. I saw a video on YouTube of him singing "Ya Got Trouble" from "The Music Man" from a televised concert, and he nailed it perfectly.

[–] Piperson 8 years ago

This movie and "Till the Clouds Roll By" are just thoroughly excellent showcases for Jerome Kern's works and Rodgers and Hart.

The dramatic stories are incidental. I just skip right over them so I can enjoy the excellent casting, dancing, songs, sets, choreography, costumes.

I just watched "Till the Clouds Roll By" through twice. The musical numbers from "Show Boat" which open the film are as fresh and snappy as the day they were filmed 70 years ago.

I haven't see "Words and Music" as often so it hasn't grown on me as much. But now that I have it taped I hope to watch it over and over not forgetting to skip the phony and fake dramatic sequences. (Except for the romance between Rodgers and his wife. It is sweet.)

[–] babsbrodie 12 years ago

true remember there was no television, no dvds, no tcm, no cable, and movies ran all day long so often you just went in sat down and watched until you were sated. also the movies were air conditioned when our houses were'nt in the deep south so sometimes you just went to stay cool.

[–] heberald26 11 years ago

In absolute agreement with your comment.

I really enjoyed this film.