The Pirate (1948)

The Pirate (1948)

MGM

June 11, 1948

Historical Comedy, Musical

DVD
C-

Garland and Kelly try, but this needed a serious rewrite, even if Joseph L. Mankiewicz was an uncredited contributor.  Garland's then husband directed.

On the Town

On the Town

MGM

December 30, 1949

Musical, Comedy, Romance

DVD
B-

Released at the very end of the '40s, this is chockful of still gettable topical references, like about Dr. Kinsey and Dinah Shore.  (Well, if you're over 50 and/or know the twentieth century.)  At its best, it is joyous and infectious, with an eager, charismatic cast, including a cast-against-type Sinatra.  Unfortunately, there are parts that don't click, like one of those "modern ballet" sequences that would also mar co-directors Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly's Singin' in the Rain a couple years later.  I've seen this movie once before, maybe a decade ago, and I was looking forward to watching it again.  I think if I had fast-forwarded, I'd rank the movie higher.  Still, I know I'll watch it again someday.

Du Barry Was a Lady

Du Barry Was a Lady

MGM

August 13, 1943

Musical, Comedy, Fantasy, Romance

DVD
B

An uneven but often delightful movie, with topical references to the War, pinball machines, Kay Kyser, etc.  The costumes are stunning and some of the musical numbers are a hoot.  Don't try to make sense of the plot, just have fun with it.  Roy Del Ruth directed, a couple years after Topper Returns.

(This is on a "Great Cinema Legends" collection, focusing on Lucille Ball.  Oddly enough, it includes Room Service, which is more of a Marx Brothers movie, but I own it anyway.)