One of the most attractive features of the three TE movies is that their very format, clips isolated by top-and-tail commentary, make it that much easier for buffs to select their particular favorites, ignore the others and burn a brand-new movie for their own delectation. This could then be supplemented with clips of Fred and Ginger at RKO, Fred with anyone from anywhere, Sinatra, Garland and/or individual faves. But we're here to talk about TE3 and whether or not it works and/or if and/or why/why not/how it measures up to the other two. First off, it DOES work because it adds to the mix by throwing in outtakes, rehearsals etc the highlight of which is, no contest, Fred's brilliant 'Dancin' Man sequence from Belle Of New York in which he soft shoes to a just-right Johnny Mercer lyric. This isn't to say the rest is chopped liver but there is only one Fred. If some of the other outfits, Fox, Paramount, Warners, RKO, Columbia for openers, would offer something similar - a mixture of genres rather than just musicals - then all vintage movie buffs could die happy.
Review of That's Entertainment! III
