You Were Never Lovelier
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Movie Reviews of You Were Never Lovelier
Movie Review: Astaire & Hayworth - Oh, what beautiful chemistry
Summary: 5 Stars
Throughout the forties, Rita Hayworth proved she could play sultry temptresses (Blood and Sand, Gilda, The Loves of Carmen), yet be equally adept and endearing in musical comedies. Not many actresses could pull off both extremes convincingly, but Rita's authenticity permeated either role .
No wonder the major studios in Hollywood were vying for her services. They knew the young star had a special quality that lit up the screen. With a simple gesture, casual hair toss or even the subtlest dance move, Hayworth could generate enormous power, leaving other actresses in the dust.
Imagine how excited fans were in 1942, especially America's servicemen, - having one of their favorite pin-ups dance and emote with Fred for the second time in "You Were Never Lovelier".
Astaire had many famous partners in his long career, but no one registered the sheer thrill of dancing with him like Rita did. It was clear Rita adored Fred, and the feeling was mutual. Combining major star power, talent and truckloads of "it" factor, Fred and Rita radiated a genuine sense of joy, transforming already great routines into something timeless.
The two standout numbers are the romantic and elegant "I'm Old Fashioned", and the delightfully informal, yet intricate "Shorty George", featuring a casually clad Rita looking knockout gorgeous in her tennis outfit.
I've watched these routines over 100 times, and they never get tired. There's so much going on and lots to take in.
Astaire is a marvel. His crack timing and level of professionalism are astounding. Charismatic and surefooted, Fred never cheated and always maintained full control, displaying his rare ability to make complex routines seem casual and fun.
Then there's Hayworth. When it comes to pure screen charisma, Rita is unrivaled. Even today, nobody could touch her. A ravishing beauty with a rare, feline grace, Rita was captivating. Even her loose flowing hair seemed to be dancing; whipping and snapping back against her head after a quick turn, or slowly cascading down, finding a temporary home on a raised shoulder, framing her smiling, beaming face in exciting ways.
Hayworth's charm was extremely potent. Mysterious and thrilling all at once, and at times, startling, Rita creates a cinematic nirvana that acts like a drug; you're thrust into a world that is unreal, ecstatic and wonderful. We are only humbled by it.
Entranced, we attempt to analyze her appeal - but it's like trying to contemplate the universe. Hayworth's allure is undefinable, inexplicable, propelling her to another dimension - a dream-like, limbo that exists only in the sub-conscious, for only there can we gaze upon her beauty without losing our sanity.
Movie Review: Dearly Beloved
Summary: 5 Stars
This sparkling 1942 film, the second and last teaming of Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth, is a jewel in the crown of Columbia musicals. Although Astaire regretted that his films with Hayworth were never shot in color due to the studio's wartime budget, it's glorious in its black and white presentation. Rita's wardrobe will arouse envy and admiration in female viewers, as I'm sure it did upon its original release.
Dancer Robert Davis (Astaire) wishes to work for crusty Buenos Aires business man Eduardo Acuna (Adolpe Menjou), but Davis puts his foot in his mouth far too often at the wedding of Eduardo's eldest daughter Julia. The next daughter Maria (Hayworth), is to marry next, but she has no prospects at the moment and is in no hurry. That is not the case with her two younger sisters (Leslie Brooks and Adele Mara), who want to marry their "tennis playing Romeos" (one of whom, is Larry Parks, uncredited, who went on to costar with Hayworth in "Down To Earth" in 1947). But Papa decrees that Maria must wed first, but her disinterest in the young men around her does nothing to hasten matrimony. So he comes up with an inspired idea - creating a secret admirer, who writes Maria romantic notes and sends her orchids. He then decides to hire a fellow to impersonate his creation, hoping that his daughter will fall for him. When Robert inadvertently ends up delivering the next order of orchids to the Acuna house, Maria spies him from above and thinks that he is her secret admirer. Eduardo grudgingly allows Maria to believe Davis is her suitor, and the hoofer finds himself falling for her and discovering that there is an old-fashioned gal underneath her ice princess exterior. The truth ultimately is exposed but true love conquers all in a wonderful, exhilarating romantic finale.
The dance numbers are sensational - "The Shorty George" is my favorite. "Dearly Beloved" and "I'm Old Fashioned" are wistfully enchanting, and there is tremendous comic relief throughout - Gus Schilling as Eduardo's nervous secretary Fernando nearly steals the scene from Astaire and Menjou. Jerome Kern's score and Xavier Cugat and his orchestra is a perfect accompaniment to "You Were Never Lovelier".
Astaire and Hayworth were every bit as accomplished a team as Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Both of their performances seem so effortless and it's clear that they worked well and had tremendous respect for each other. Hayworth is as always, breathtakingly beautiful.
If you are a fan of musicals, this is an essential.
Movie Review: Living Up To Its Title: Never More Lovelier Than On DVD
Summary: 5 Stars
After their resounding success in "You'll Never Get Rich" it was kismet that Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth would reunite for another glossy film musical. The project; "You Were Never Lovelier" is a valiant successor to the aforementioned and, in truth, excels beyond the expectations of that previous venture. Astaire plays a penniless hoofer from New York who, through a series of mishaps, comes to the attention of South American tycoon, Senior Acuna (Adolph Menjou) while on a vacation in Buenos Aires. Acuna has just married off his oldest daughter and, as his family tradition dictates, the rest of his daughters must get married in sequential order. The two youngest daughters are already fixed with a pair of tennis beaux, but the eldest unmarried daughter, Maria (Hayworth) is not only an ice princess of the highest order, but refuses to marry under any circumstance. That is, until she begins receiving orchids from an unknown admirer. The score by Jerome Kern is magnificent; the poignant `Dearly Beloved', the jazzy `Shorty George' and the classy `I'm Old Fashion'. The latter two songs are danced by Astaire and Hayworth with such polish and finesse that it's impossible not to marvel at their grace and style.
Columbia Tristar's transfer of "You Were Never Lovelier" is outstanding. While "You'll Never Get Rich" suffered from an overall dated appearance, "You Were Never Lovelier" appears to have been the benefactor of a digital restoration at some point. It's black and white picture is stunning and smooth. There are brief and minor occasions where fine details slightly shimmer, but these do not distract from your visual pleasure. Fine detail is fully realized. There is a resounding absence of age related artifacts. Digital anomalies are not an issue. The audio is mono but exceptionally well balanced - at times sounding very close to having a stereo spread.
EXTRAS: Sorry, none!
BOTTOM LINE: "You Were Never Lovelier" has certainly never looked more lovely than in its DVD incarnation. An absolute must have for your library!
Movie Review: OUTSTANDING TRANSFER OF A SPARKLING MUSICAL!
Summary: 5 Stars
After their resounding success in "You'll Never Get Rich" it remained kismet that Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth would reunite for another glossy film musical. The project; "You Were Never Lovelier" is a valiant successor to the aforementioned and, in truth, excels beyond the expectations of their previous venture. Astaire plays a penniless hoofer from New York who, through a series of mishaps, comes to the attention of Senior Acuna (Adolph Menjou) while on a vacation in Buenos Aires. Acuna has just married off his oldest daughter and, as his family tradition dictates, the rest of his daughters must get married in sequential order. The two youngest daughters are already fixed with a pair of tennis beaux, but the eldest unmarried daughter, Maria (Hayworth) is not only an ice princess of the highest order, but refuses to marry under any circumstance. That is, until she begins receiving orchids from an unknown admirer. The score by Jerome Kern is magnificent; the poignant `Dearly Beloved', the jazzy `Shorty George' and the classy `I'm Old Fashion'. The latter two songs are danced by Astaire and Hayworth with such polish and finesse that it's impossible not to marvel at their grace and style. THE TRANSFER: Outstanding. While "You'll Never Get Rich" suffered from an overall dated appearance, "You Were Never Lovelier" appears to have been the benefactor of a digital restoration at some point. It's black and white picture is stunning and smooth. There are brief and minor occasions where fine details slightly shimmer, but these do not distract from your visual pleasure. Fine detail is fully realized. There is a resounding absence of age related artifacts. Digital anomalies are not an issue. The audio is mono but exceptionally well balanced - at times sounding very close to having a stereo spread.
EXTRAS: Sorry, none!
BOTTOM LINE: "You Were Never Lovelier" has certainly never looked more lovely than in its DVD incarnation. An absolute must have for your library!
Movie Review: Just Charming
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a classic Hollywood musical that should be in everyone's dvd library. The dvd transfer is crisp and clean. And the film itself is just charming.
I remember seeing this film many years ago at a revival theater. When Rita unexpectantly walked onto the screen there was an audible gasp from the audience! There were more gasps during those incomparable Astaire-Hayworth dance numbers!! The "I'm Old Fashioned" and "The Shorty George" dances are among the best EVER filmed.
Certainly Rita was among Fred's best partners, if not THE BEST...together they fly through their dance numbers flawlessly...their tap routines in BOTH films they did together are the most complicated I've ever seen, yet they are excecuted with such grace, ease, and absolute joy!!! It's quite clear that Astaire & Hayworth liked each other very much.
The music by Jerome Kern and lyrics Johnny Mercer are sweet and lilting and beautifully underscore the modern day, yet tender fairy-tale romance between Astaire and Hayworth perfectly.
This dvd brought that all back to me again.....Three words for this film-SMOOTH-BEAUTIFUL-CHARMING!!