This is a simply great movie. What might appear to be a typical Sonja Henie ice musical is anything but typical. Ms. Henie is charming in her role as Karen, a Scandinavian refugee, who has been "adopted" by Ted (John Payne) and his band, who were expecting a little girl. Karen immediately falls in love with Ted, who already has a steady lady, the tempermental Vivian Dawn, who is the star vocalist for the band. Vivian is played by Lynn Bari, who had a long career playing arch high-society types and blowsy "other women". It's no contest who will end up together at the end, but there are so many things that elevate this movie above your average 40's musical. Perhaps the best thing is the presence of the Glenn Miller Orchestra (not Benny Goodman as another review states). Every song they deliver fits into the flow of the movie, and every song is a knockout. The classic "In the Mood", the gorgeous "I Know Why and So Do You" (THE most romantic song ever) and the stupendous "Chattanooga Choo Choo" (performed by Tex Beneke and the Modernaires, the number also features the supreme dancing and singing talents of the Nicholas Brothers and the lovely Dorothy Dandridge). Throw in the presences of Milton Berle and the wacky Joan Davis, the beautiful snow and ski sequences, and the marvelous "black ice" ballet at the end, and you've got one of the best Hollywood musicals from the 40's, indeed, from any decade!
Review of Sun Valley Serenade
