DVD Review: On the Town

On the Town
(DVD On)

 

This 1949 film, starring Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra, is an absolute classic of the American movie musical genre. It is based off of the 1944 Broadway show of the same name, which itself is based of a Jerome Robbins ballet, entitled “Fancy Free”, which was also first performed in 1944. The Broadway show featured music by Leonard Bernstein, with book and lyrics by Broadway legends Betty Comden and Adolph Green. The studio heads who bought the film rights to On the Town ended up bringing in composer Roger Edens to create an almost completely new soundtrack for the feature film, keeping only 4 of the 20+ Bernstein tracks and adding six new ones.

 

Kelly and Sintra, with Jules Munshin, play three sailors on leave for 24 hours in New York City from their naval vessel, starting at 6:00 AM. They want to experience everything the city has to offer before they must return to their ship by 6:00 AM the next day. For some, Sinatra’s Chip, this means all the cultural attractions, but for the rest it means girls and nightclubs. Kelly’s Gabey becomes obsessesd with finding the beautiful girl on subway posters as the current “Miss Turnstiles” (“Ivy Smith” played by Vera Ellen), while Chip is pursued by an amorous female cab driver (“Hildy”, played by Betty Garrett’s in the film’s funniest role), and Ozzie (Munshin) hooks up with a rich gal studying at the history museum (“Claire Huddesen” played by Ann Miller). The film follows their crazy antics around town, and the colorful supporting characters they keep encountering, including Hildy’s roommate Lucy Shmeeler (played by Alice Pearce, the only cast member to carry over from the Broadway production).

 

The music is marvelous, particularly “New York, New York”, and the dancing, especially Ann Miller’s tap number, is thrilling.

 

Overall, superb performances, superb location footage throughout New York City, and an unforgettable motion picture experience for anyone who appreciates classic film musicals.

 

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try any other classic movie musical from the late 1940s to the late 1960s.] [Script and printed music to this are available in The New York Musicals of Comden & Green.]

 

[ Internet Movie Database entry for this film ]

 

Recommended by Scott C.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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