Not one of the great MGM musicals. But if you like them at all, you'll probably want to see Small Town Girl.
It's about what goes on when a New York playboy (Farley Granger) speeds through upstate Duck Creek, gets arrested, and has to do jail time. He's a bit of a spoiled brat, with a girlfriend who's a lead dancer on Broadway (Ann Miller). The daughter (Jane Powell) of the local judge (Robert Keith) can't stand him - but you know that won't last. Also around is the local boy (Bobby Van), the son of a merchant (S. Z. "Cuddles" Sakall). The kid has dreams of a big Broadway career as a singer and dancer.
The plot finds our Jane helping Farley out of jail for the night. He wants to see his girlfriend but claims it's his sick mom's birthday. They (and we) get to see Nat King Cole in a nightclub, singing the sultry, Burn Low, My Flaming Heart. We're introduced to his high society mother (the delightful Billie Burke). Farley's escape causes a big hoo-hah but it all gets resolved nicely by the end, of course.
There are imaginatively staged Busby Berkeley musical numbers. A couple of them were good enough to be featured in the That's Entertainment films. There's a memorable number where Ann Miller dances among disembodied human limbs that seem to be playing various musical instruments. There's also a cool bouncing dance performed by Bobby Van all over the small-town set. He just hops all over, like a kangaroo - that's the choreography. (Van said he was sick for a year after doing this number - it's not surprising). Bobby also does a socko number in his father's small town store; the lyrics go something like, "Hey, Mister Taxi Driver, take me to Broadway, to wonderful Broadway, that razzle dazzle heart of New York." The kid really knocks himself out.
The cast includes Fay Wray as Jane's mom and Chill Wills as the jailor.
Jane Powell is lovely, charming, and a beautiful singer.
It's a nice little show you will probably enjoy.
It's about what goes on when a New York playboy (Farley Granger) speeds through upstate Duck Creek, gets arrested, and has to do jail time. He's a bit of a spoiled brat, with a girlfriend who's a lead dancer on Broadway (Ann Miller). The daughter (Jane Powell) of the local judge (Robert Keith) can't stand him - but you know that won't last. Also around is the local boy (Bobby Van), the son of a merchant (S. Z. "Cuddles" Sakall). The kid has dreams of a big Broadway career as a singer and dancer.
The plot finds our Jane helping Farley out of jail for the night. He wants to see his girlfriend but claims it's his sick mom's birthday. They (and we) get to see Nat King Cole in a nightclub, singing the sultry, Burn Low, My Flaming Heart. We're introduced to his high society mother (the delightful Billie Burke). Farley's escape causes a big hoo-hah but it all gets resolved nicely by the end, of course.
There are imaginatively staged Busby Berkeley musical numbers. A couple of them were good enough to be featured in the That's Entertainment films. There's a memorable number where Ann Miller dances among disembodied human limbs that seem to be playing various musical instruments. There's also a cool bouncing dance performed by Bobby Van all over the small-town set. He just hops all over, like a kangaroo - that's the choreography. (Van said he was sick for a year after doing this number - it's not surprising). Bobby also does a socko number in his father's small town store; the lyrics go something like, "Hey, Mister Taxi Driver, take me to Broadway, to wonderful Broadway, that razzle dazzle heart of New York." The kid really knocks himself out.
The cast includes Fay Wray as Jane's mom and Chill Wills as the jailor.
Jane Powell is lovely, charming, and a beautiful singer.
It's a nice little show you will probably enjoy.