An uneven script plagues "Step Lively", which, despite the addition of songs, cannot even live up to the entertainment value of "Room Service", the Marx Brothers comedy that came first. But manic does not equal madcap. And frenzied does not equal funny. And George Murphy is no Groucho Marx.
The best parts of the film are the Sinatra stylings and some of the onstage performances within the film. But Frank is underused. He had not yet been recognized for his filmic appeal. And those elements of the onstage song and dance numbers that are visually arresting are undermined by more numerous examples of special effects and editing decisions that fail. It's all very hit or miss.
No doubt the teen bobby-soxers of 1945 appreciated Frank's cinematic charisma and his smooth crooning, and were able to ignore the rest of the film. But as we now view it within the context of his entire film career, it can only be viewed as anemic.
The best parts of the film are the Sinatra stylings and some of the onstage performances within the film. But Frank is underused. He had not yet been recognized for his filmic appeal. And those elements of the onstage song and dance numbers that are visually arresting are undermined by more numerous examples of special effects and editing decisions that fail. It's all very hit or miss.
No doubt the teen bobby-soxers of 1945 appreciated Frank's cinematic charisma and his smooth crooning, and were able to ignore the rest of the film. But as we now view it within the context of his entire film career, it can only be viewed as anemic.