That's Entertainment
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Movie Reviews of That's Entertainment
Movie Review: MGM Nostalgia
Summary: 5 Stars
This was the compilation which launched a renewed interest in the great MGM musicals. Admittedly, the great days of the movie musical had long ended in 1974, when this tribute first appeared. However, some of us had never seen the original films and it was wonderful to see and hear tantalizing excerpts from MGM's vast library.
Jack Haley, Jr. produced and edited "That's Entertainment" and utilized a number of major stars who had worked at MGM. The studio was about to undergo a major change with the demolition of its backlot and the eventual sale of numerous costumes and props. MGM was sadly declining in 1974. This film at least reminded us of how much MGM had contributed to the American cinema.
The overture, which was played at the original showing and is included on the video, was actually arranged and conducted by Henry Mancini, who began his career scoring horror films at Universal before going to to write sophisticated, memorable scores at various studios.
Frank Sinatra begins the tribute with four versions of "Singing in the Rain," first the rather quaint and primitive 1929 version of Cliff Edwards in "Hollywood Review," followed by renditions by Jimmy Durante, Judy Garland, and finally Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, and Debbie Reynolds. He is then seen walking out of MGM's Thalberg Building, the rather imposing executive offices where so many stars were introduced to studio boss Louis B. Mayer.
Mayer created the Freed Unit, which specialized in musicals and operettas, and he gave producer Arthur Freed remarkable freedom to make family-suitable movies, utilizing virtually every star on the lot except Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, and Lon Chaney. At the end of her career Garbo actually did dance in an MGM musical, while Chaney died prematurely after making his talkie debut in a remake of "The Unholy Three."
Most of the first musicals weren't very good, as is acknowledged in this compilation. The scenes from some of the early musicals demonstrate the limited technical capabilities and perhaps MGM's own uncertainty on how to best produce musicals. In time, as sound recording and cinemaphotography improved, MGM was able to utilize real singers and dancers, after brief attempts to use Joan Crawford, Robert Montgomery, and James Stewart in musicals. Yet, as Elizabeth Taylor recalls, even she was put in a musical and asked to sing, despite a rather limited singing voice. These examples are perhaps just curiosity pieces.
The real highlights are the many, many wonderful excerpts from the great musicals with the likes of Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Eleanor Powell, Ginger Rogers, Judy Garland, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Durante, etc. These examples led to a revival in the full films through showings on various television stations and eventually on Turner Classic Movies, as well as periodic showings in actual movie theaters.
Debbie Reynolds introduces a memorable excerpt from the black and white film of MGM's 25th anniversary luncheon, in which most of the contract players were assembled in a huge soundstage. This 1949 film gives a good idea of the famous statement that MGM had "more stars than there are in the heavens."
Little actual restoration of the films was done in 1974, so some of the examples have faded or uneven color and the sound quality varies considerably. Nevertheless, this film presents a wonderful overview of the best of MGM's great movies and it was so successful that it paved the way for two more "That's Entertainment" films, which are also available on DVD.
Movie Review: Enjoy the most memorable moments from the classic M-G-M musicals.
Summary: 5 Stars
The roster of performers who appear in M-G-M's spectacular 1974 retrospective "That's Entertainment" reads like a "who's who" of the motion picture business up to that point in time. Originally conceived as a television special, M-G-M executives decided to create a full-length motion picture when they discovered a veritable treasure trove of footage in their vaults. M-G-M was in dire financial straits at the time and "That's Entertainment" was definitely a huge roll of the dice by the studio. Since it had never been tried before no one had any idea how movie buffs would react to a compilation film. As it turned out it was an overnight sensation and audiences flocked to theaters to relive the best moments of the most beloved M-G-M musicals. It is easy to see why.
Although the overwhelming majority of these films were made before I was born I must tell you that I thoroughly enjoyed "That's Entertainment" . Interspersed with some of the most memorable scenes from the great M-G-M musicals are recollections and commentary from some of M-G-M's biggest and brightest stars including Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Stewart, Donald O'Connor, Elizabeth Taylor, Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. There are so many captivating scenes in this movie that you could not possibly list them all. Among my favorites routines are Fred Astaire and Eleanor Powell dancing up a storm from the film "Broadway Melody of 1940". Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly teamed up for a series of films for M-G-M in the 1940's. There is a terrific scene from "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" included here. Two of the most incredible bits you will ever see on film are from a motion picture called "Royal Wedding". In the first scene Fred Astaire dances with a hat rack! Fred pulls it off with all of the grace you might expect from one of the great dancers of all-time. In the second scene, Fred appears to be dancing on the walls and ceiling of a room. Films buffs continue to debate how in the world this was filmed. Then there is Donald O'Connor doing "Make 'Em Laugh" and Gene Kelly's unforgettable performance of "Singin' In The Rain". And the list goes on and on and
"That's Entertainment" offers more than two hours of classic entertainment from Hollywood's Golden Age. You will see clips featuring 125 stars culled from nearly 100 films. Younger people will come to understand why M-G-M musicals were so wildly popular back in the day. M-G-M found that it had so much great material in its vaults that a very fine sequel was made a couple of years later and a third and final film was released shortly after that. Much to my surprise I have discovered that "That's Entertainment" is a film tha I can enjoy again and again. It is that good! Very highly recommended!
Movie Review: This Is Entertainment
Summary: 5 Stars
It was the Fourth of July in 1974. My family decided to celebrate the holiday by touring the historic sights of Boston. The only problem? It was unbearably hot and there seemed to be no place to get a break from the sun. So what did my parents do? They decided that we'd head to Boston's Prudential Center and go to a movie and what did we see? THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT. Now at first glance THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT might not be the best choice for a family of young children, and when my brothers and sisters recall the afternoon, they don't have the excitement I have when I remember the same day. For me the film showed me that when the MGM lion roars, something great is bound to follow. It was certainly a moment that taught me how enjoyable a film can be and that great films have a timeless quality about them. I tried to watch every MGM movie I could, and since one of our local television stations had a Saturday night feature called the MGM movie
THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT is a documentary celebrating the 50th anniversary of what could arguably be the best studio of all time Metro Goldwyn Meyer. To celebrate a half century, this studio, which in 1974 was a shell of its former glory, decided to tell the story of it prized musicals by showing clips of the great musical numbers. Gene Kelley, Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, June Allison, Howard Keel, Mickey Rooney, Esther Williams, Frank Sinatra, and Jimmy Durante are just a few of the great performers whose highlights make this film so great. It is narrated by some of the greats who were still living at the time the documentary is made. For people who remembered these films when they were originally released, it's a nostalgic romp. For those who were not yet born, it's a great introduction.
This first installation of THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT is not a critical look at the making of the great MGM musicals. Rather it's a loving tribute to an age gone by. I recently heard someone say at the time the first THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT was made these films seemed old fashioned, terribly unrealistic, and at best frivolous romps, with the exception of perhaps SINGING IN THE RAIN, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, and of course THE WIZARD OF OZ, but THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT made people realize just how artistic, creative, and amazing these musicals could be. We see that MGM musicals were pure entertainment.
Movie Review: More stars that there are in heaven
Summary: 5 Stars
This is probably the most ambitious film of North American nostalgia. A journey to the core of one of the two greatest North American cinematographic achievements: The Western and the musicals.
The unforgettable screen highlights are a feast for your eyes. From the early twenties until the final homage to An American in Paris, the great parade of luminaries such as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Ginger Rogers, Eleanor Powell, Judy Garland told by Frank Sinatra, Elizabeth Taylor, Gene Kelly, Donald O' Connor, Bing Crosby and Debbie Reynolds as protagonists among the most conspicuous Ambassadors of an age that has paled, the studies of MGM in ruins leaves us with a taste of bittersweet, crumbling vestiges of vivid memories where the giants of the show are not longer with us. Even so, this superb nostalgic journey well deserves its acquisition, because you hardly will find another such compelling and overwhelming exhibition of so many stars and musical talents.
It's such the truth pronounced by Sinatra when affirms the musicals were an escape device that it came to my mind the constant fact that the awarded musicals generally have matched with bloody and disturbing historical events (think about for instance about films such as an American in Paris and Singing In the rain, and the Cold war, West side story and Charade (JFK affair), My fair lady and Oliver (Vietnam), Cabaret and Jesus Christ Superstar (Watergate), Chicago and Iraq.
Three minor complaints: There was a sensible forgetfulness about films as Top hat and Yankee, doodle dandy and the shortness of the wonderful choreographies of An American in Paris.
Watch it. It will reward you.
Movie Review: The best of the "Entertainment" series
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of those movies that I could watch every day for months and never become bored. I hope you'll feel the same if you're a "golden age of Hollywood" fan, especially of the MGM musicals. The introductions by the MGM stars (and yes, they are aging, it happens to everyone!) are somewhat pompous, phony and wooden -- the lone exception, in my opinion, is Liza Minelli. Other than that curious phenomenon, this first of a trilogy of "That's Entertainment" movies from MGM, is truly the best, with their greatest clips being in this movie. As Liza said, "thank God for film" because we can forever see for ourselves just why a movie star was, well, a star. Agreed, this first film of the series could use a little editing, but that doesn't detract from the rest of the scenes nor the message. The movie does serve dual purposes -- as a short documentary of the evolution of the grand musicals, as well as outstanding excerpts of the greatest MGM had to offer. I think my favorite scene, though, was the black and white footage of all the MGM stars having lunch together in a huge gathering. It will provoke quite the nostalgia! I know it's been said many times before, but those were truly the golden days of film making, and after watching this movie you'll understand why. It's a shame very few movies are now produced that are up to the same wholesome MGM standards.