Words and Music
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Movie Reviews of Words and Music
Movie Review: Each One Needed The Other
Summary: 4 Stars
I have waited for a few years to have Words and Music available on DVD and the wait was worth it to me. True, the story is loose with the facts on the relationship between Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart. Mickey Rooney as Larry Hart is more Rooney than he is Hart in the character he plays. However, there is an all-star cast in this movie and it is worth watching. I do admit there were some songs that dragged along for me, but I have several favorites in the movie such as The Lady Is A Tramp, With A Song In My Heart, Blue Moon, Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, and my all-time favorite song entitled Manhattan. Larry Hart as a lyricist is first rate as his lyrics to Manhattan illustrate. In addition to the movie there is a commentary by historian Richard Barrios with others discussing the real relationship between Rogers and Hart. Hart's erratic behavior could make him a difficult partner to work with, and Rogers eventually partnered up with Oscar Hammerstein. Rogers and Hart formed a winning combination while it lasted and the songs they teamed up on are a lasting legacy. This is a very worthwhile DVD to add to your collection.Movie Review: MUSICAL NUMBERS a PLUS ; MICKEY ROONEY a MINUS
Summary: 4 Stars
Great songs and dances performed by MGM stars at their peak, but Mickey Rooney should have died in the first reel. His Larry Hart was miscasting at it's best. It was like watching Andy Hardy, smoking a cigar, trying to look grown up. I was hoping Lewis Stone would enter and have a man-to-man talk with him. Barely tolerable when he was happy in the movie, but TERRIBLE playing a depressed and later dying character. Even in his scene with Judy Garland you can see how she and her acting has matured, but he (Rooney) was still mugging for the camera and trying do get away with the Andy Hardy "schitck" which was cute 10 years earlier, but intolerable to watch in someone approaching 30 years old!Movie Review: One of the Best
Summary: 4 Stars
One of my favorite musicals because it showcases the songs of Rogers and Hart; two of the greatest American songwriters ever. The story may not be totally accurate and the acting is somewhat cheesy, but if you appreciate the music of Rogers and Hart, you'll play this over and over.Movie Review: A Musical Extravaganza
Summary: 3 Stars
Words and Music is the story of Richard Rodgers (Tom Drake) and Lorenz Hart (Mickey Rooney), the writing team behind many hit songs from the 20s and 30s. The film begins when they meet and includes their struggles and triumphs until Hart's early death. The story isn't terribly important because the film is mostly composed of musical numbers.
There are a few notable musical moments, like the wonderful "Manhattan," Mickey and Judy's last teaming in "I Wish I Were in Love Again" and the energetic "Where's That Rainbow?" However, there are as many flops. Take for example the inclusion of an interpretive dance by Gene Kelly and Vera Ellen. The film celebrates the team of Rodgers and Hart, not just one or the other, and yet "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue" has no lyrics. The staging for the classic "Blue Moon" is strange too.
Perhaps the most frustrating part about this movie is the way in which the credits are listed. The cameo appearances are listed with the stars of the film, and the credits are listed in alphabetical order. This is misleading to those who watch films for their favorite stars. The first billing goes to June Allyson who only has one fleeting moment on screen, "Thou Swell." Really, most of the stars listed only make small appearances like that. Only Rooney truly stars.
This DVD edition features a short featurette about the real Rodgers and Hart which explains what was true in the film and what was left out. There are two deleted songs to watch and a few cartoons and shorts.
Movie Review: Not as good as I remember
Summary: 3 Stars
This was one of my favourite films when I was a teenager, but the story is mainly Hollywood and not very accurate. There are some good numbers and some great dancing. My favourite was always June Allyson singing and dancing `Thou Swell` with the Blackburn Twins. Her husky voice and boundless energy made her a great favourite in the forties and fifties.
Now I realise that the real masterpiece to come out of this film was `Slaughter on Tenth Avenue` with Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen. The choreography for this number was the start of the many dances that Gene Kelly designed for the screen, and it was stunning. Some of the best work that he ever did and of course the music was inspiring. Vera-Ellen was also a wonderful dancer. It was a tragedy that her career was cut short by health and family problems. I wonder why this number was not in any of the MGM compilation films that were released in the `That`s Entertainment` films of the seventies.
A continuity mistake. Vera-Ellen, when shot, slides down the stairs and ends with her head on the bottom step. When Gene Kelly picks her up to carry her away, her head is on the floor.