Easter Parade

Directed by: Charles Walters

Starring:

Produced by: Arthur Freed, Roger Edens (Associate)

Written by: Sidney Sheldon, Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Guy Bolton

Choreographed by: Robert Alton

Cinematography: Harry Stradling, Sr.

Words and Music by: Irving Berlin

Production Company: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Premiere: New York, June 30, 1948

Synopsis (from VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever 2001): A big musical star (Astaire) splits with his partner (Miller) claiming that he could mold any girl to replace her in the act. He tries and finally succeeds after much difficulty. Astaire and Garland in peak form, aided by a classic Irving Berlin score. (3½ out of 4)

P.J. Says:

Considering the huge favourable reputation that movie already has, there isn’t much more I need to say about it. Just like everyone else, I love it! Definitely one of Fred’s best. Fred and Judy are a terrific team in this movie, and while Fred can’t dance with Judy the way he dances with Ginger or Rita, he more than makes up for it choreographically. In fact, the whole issue is a major plot point, and he takes advantage of it, poking fun at himself and at Ginger and their movies together. Have we ever seen the vaudevillian Fred before, with this physical style of comic dancing? Apart from his turns with Bing, no. Definitely never with a girl. So Fred not only reinvents his dancing, he reinvents himself.

Terrific dancing, terrific singing, convincing acting, great humour, cogent plot. Fred Astaire, the hero. Judy Garland, the lovelorn heroine. Ann Miller as the scheming Ingenue. Peter Lawford caught in the middle and doing the best he can to stay out of all the talent’s way. Classic double love triangle in a classic MGM musical. Who could ask for anything more?

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