Sensations of 1945

On Oct. 4 2004, an interesting Comment by "John5th" contained a serious slip of the pen in the following sentence: "... we see a huge production number called Circus In The Sky featuring Sammy Kaye and his band and a host of circus acts all at the top of a skyscraper." Clearly, John5th intended to write "WOODY HERMAN" (who stars -- even sings! -- in several musical numbers in this film, and is prominently mentioned in the opening credits, along with Cab Calloway). And NOT Sammy Kaye (who doesn't appear at all, and isn't mentioned in the credits). If John5th is still reading this Commentary, I feel sure he'd make the correction himself. I tried 2 ways to contact John5th, but got no reply; he may have gone on to other interests. -- Prof Steven P Hill, Cinema Studies, University of Illinois.

I saw the film on VHS tape wondering what to expect as I knew that this was Eleanor Powell's final starring role. Well, I found the film to be quite different than Miss Powell's usual MGM offerings. I liked that fact the Eleanor played quite a different character than the ones she played at Metro. Her dance number with David Lichine also showed Eleanor in a completely different light...very jazzy. The movie at times has a very surrealistic quality especially the scenes depicting Times Square with the big bands playing on the rooftops. I thoroughly enjoyed the film with its very campy and surrealistic elements combined with Miss Powell's very creative numbers, especially when she dances inside a hug pinball machines. My only criticism is that a few of the numbers may have gone on a tad too long.

Despite contrary opinion this film is unchallenging fun, great entertainment and a wonderful showcase for the kind of show biz performance that is all but gone today. Eleanor Powell is very funny as a stunt crazy publicity agent who for starters fakes getting shot during her own show! She competes with partner Dennis O'Keefe (also very good as the son of the agency owner) to bring in bigger and better clients. In the process of lining up acts and artists we see a huge production number called Circus In The Sky featuring Sammy Kaye and his band and a host of circus acts all at the top of a skyscraper. Another hare-brained scheme results in a wonderful Cab Calloway number called Hepster's Dictionary that is projected on to the side of a building in Times Square, naturally resulting in the arrest of Ms. Powell. Other highlights include Powell dressed as a pinball(!) dancing in a giant pinball machine set, an odd dance with a horse as partner, 2 numbers by the the inimitable Sophie Tucker and the always funny W.C.Fields. For a glimpse at the last gasp of Vaudeville, an era when down-on-their-luck actors could trust their memoirs to a PR agent, enjoy the very unique Sensations of 1945.

You'd be hard pressed to find another film with the number and variety of acts that Sensations of 1945 has. Eleanor Powell is amazing as always. In addition to her more conventional numbers, she's a pinball and even dances with a horse! The circus acts are wonderful and fast paced. Pianist Dorothy Donegan steals the show with her performance during Cab Calloway's appearance. The storyline, as usual, takes second billing to all of the acts, however it does loosely ties things together. Definitely a must see for everyone.

Some wonderful ideas are in this film, which taking into consideration when it was filmed, are quite wonderful, inventive and enjoyable. Yes it gets a bit boring now and again, however stick with it! During these years when many movie theatres would not screen motion pictures with Black performers (they often deleted scenes for their audiences) this film highlights Cab Calloway and His Orchestra in two great numbers (well 2.5)!!!

The cast is delightful! In fact, they are perfect! And Sophie Tucker is always a pleasure to watch, as is Woody Herman and His Orchestra.

Sit back and enjoy a good fun musical with some great staging, fantastic big band music!