I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now

Based on a true story, the movie traces the career of song-writer Joe Howard and his difficulties, especially in the romance department.

The first half almost sizzles with screen chemistry as Kate (Haver), Lulu (Stewart) and Joe (Stevens) bounce off one another backstage. And what a conniving little ingénue is Kate, always using her innocent wiles to get her way. Then there's toughie Lulu who would like to win Joe if only Kate would let her. Poor Joe's in the middle, but would rather write songs than anything else. Their simmering well-scripted set-to's amidst the stage show music had me thinking a real sleeper.

But then Joe joins another troupe and Lulu is replaced by Fritzie (Aubert) who unfortunately doesn't generate the same chemistry, causing the movie to settle into a more routine mode. Nonetheless, the production is lavish, the Technicolor beautiful, the signature songs memorable, along with a solid story better developed than most. But for me, it's a deceptively innocent Haver whose Kate shines most of all. Her presence not only lights up the stage, but amounts to one of the most unusual ingénues in musical history. And catch that great last scene that drives home the point.

All in all, the movie may not be the best musical on record, but that sizzling first half remains in the running.