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Rating:  -
Some critic--I can't remember who--defined the musical parts of a musical as "explosions of joy." Which makes 1949's "On the Town" one of the most joyfully explosive movie musicals ever. Before the three sailors (Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Jules Munshin) get to leave their ship on 24-hour shore leave, they are "serenaded" by a heavy-equipment operator who stretches and musically moans "I feel like I'm not out of bed yet." A digital ticker-tape-type clock marks the exact time our boys can leave ship as they launch into the theme song, "New York, New York, a Wonderful Town," (which was bowdlerized from "a Helluva Town" on Broadway).
The plot is a nifty number where all three gobs pick up gals but one of them loses his--through neither of their fault--then spends the rest of the day looking for her. The satiric vein is mined along the day with references to museum snobs, overcrowded nightclubs, hillbilly music, taskmaster Russian ballet coaches and that Manhattan favorite--eavesdropping on the subway.
Just briefly, there are two paradoxical reasons why I think this film works so well. First, we have here a repertory cast whose areas of expertise hadn't quite jelled yet. So Frank Sinatra was allowed to play a shy kid instead of a heavy, Ann Miller was allowed to play light comedy instead of just tap-dance, and Betty Garrett was allowed to BE in the movie before her husband crossed the red-baiters of the Fifties (back then, the idea usually was to blacklist first and ask questions later). Gene Kelly seems to be at his relaxed and versatile best, and Vera-Ellen is a simply wonderful dancer.
The second reason this flick is so good is that it pioneered techniques that were new to movies at the time, particularly a mixture of location and studio shooting (try to figure out when the cast is on top of the REAL Empire State Building and when it's the MGM lot); musical numbers that advanced the plot instead of just providing entertainment (clearly, Hollywood had been looking at Broadway, in particular Rodgers and Hammer-stein's "South Pacific"); and the dream-ballet complete with symbolic decor and an ever-frustrated Gene Kelly symbolically looking for and losing love. (This particular device shows up in "An American in Paris," "Oklahoma," and in backstage form in many other flicks, not necessarily musicals.)
There are people who don't like this movie. It's a little too street-wise or proleterian, call it what you will. But their numbers are in decline, possibly because the Manhattan this movie celebrates has ceased to exist and in the long view has become almost as synthetic and charming as a backstage movie lot. If you think you can handle real-life locations, go with this one; you won't be disappointed.
Rating:  -
I was pleased to find this film at a local store; I'd seen the "New York, New York It's a Wonderful Town" scene a dozen times. Now I know why: it's the only really good song and dance number in the whole movie. I love Hollywood musicals and have always been a huge Gene Kelly fan. "On The Town" is incredibly insipid when compared to other Kelly movies and a miserable waste of Ann Miller's wonderful talent. Go buy "Singing in the Rain" and "Kiss Me Kate" to find out what these two people can really do; save your money here.
Rating: -
I'll skip the diatribe about why musicals are great, blah blah blah because if you're reading this, then you must have some interest already. As far as On the Town goes, it IS great. One of the famous Kelly/Sinatra pairing (also see Anchors Aweigh and Take Me Out to the Ballgame), this is definitely the most exuberant. It's the first large MGM musical to be partially filmed on location, and the scenes from NYC back in the day make you wish you had a time machine to go back yourself. The songs are musical goodness at it's finest -- from hilarious romps like "Come Up To My Place," "Prehistoric Man," and "You Can Count on Me" to the obligatory fantasy dance number. Sure it's predictable, sure it's dated, there's no high-tech effects, and smooching's all you get on the romance front, but it's still a gem. Sure Frank Sinatra is the predictable shy young thing (as always), Gene Kelly is the predictable wolf (as always), and the fabulous Ann Miller, whose legs go up to the moon, is man-crazy (as always), but there's a car chase! On the Town features great dancing and good times, songs that you'll be humming on your way to work tomorrow, and the feel-good flavor that MGM musicals are renowned for.
Rating: -
And watch "On the Town" on DVD. Okay, we all know the movie is fab but the new DVD makes it a whole new experience. This transfer is so sharp and crisp, and the colour so rich, that the film looks like it came out in 1999 not 1949. Plus there is a timeless story and great music- all combining to make a swell DVD experience. That's all there is folks so goodnight to you, I hope you like my little On the Town review...
Rating: -
with great preformances from Kelly, Sinatra and Garrett coupled with an outstanding musical score by the Green/Comden team this is a terrific musical that will get you in the mood to go sight seeing around New York city and maybe even take a dance lesson or two. However if your looking for a first rate plot with great dramatic pull;this is not the place to look. On the Town is a good time with lots of good laughs and I recomend it to the highest degree. MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS: 'my place' your awful' and (of course) 'new york new york'
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