Nancy Goes to Rio

This is a delightful early Jane Powell film. It reminds me a bit of Holiday in Mexico with the crush on the much older man not stopping spunky Jane! She's also as precious as she is in A Date with Judy. Young Jane couldn't help but light up the screen with her fun performances.

It's Ann Sothern month on TCM and I'm not sure I'd have had the chance to see how delightful she is otherwise and am so grateful they have honored her. This is one of my favorites I've seen. Jane and Ann look very much like mother and daughter and both have lovely singing voices. I have to confess I skipped through the Carmen Miranda numbers (I think you either love her or you don't as a singer, but I liked her acting role) but I loved all the others. I particularly loved the chemistry with the tall, dark and handsome Barry Sullivan as a rare lead and Louis Calhern as the witty and fun grandfather.

Lovely Technicolor and costuming, fine acting, good chemistry, the Brazilian influence on many of the musical numbers, and the precious romantic comedy script made a rainy afternoon just perfect!

Great production values highlight this musical comedy that revolves around a pair of misunderstandings that blossom to full effect.

With her Debbie Reynolds looks and her operatic voice, Jane Powell is wonderful as 17-year-old Nancy Barklay, a budding actress. Her mother, Frances--also an actress--is played by Ann Sothern. The two of them are wonderful together. In fact the entire cast fits together nicely in this light-hearted story that deals with music more than romance. Barry Sullivan plays Paul Berten, the man who sort of comes between them. Louis Calhern is Frances' father, an old song and dance man himself. Carmen Miranda goes full fruit basket with a couple of catchy tunes. Hans Conreid is underused as the family butler.

Technicolor brightens the screen and shows off some great sets, especially the family home in Rio. The wardrobe is striking.

Jane Powell gets to display her classical credentials with a solo from La Boheme.

"Nancy Goes to Rio" is an enjoyable excursion designed to put a smile on the face of viewers. And it does just that.

For practically the whole of Ann Southern's career she was predestined to be considered a competent, reasonably popular actress. In fact, she was considerably more than that and this film, until much later in her career, is the proof. The plot about an actress Mother (Southern) and her singing daughter (Powell) is two steps above hokey but the realization gives it status and sturdy performances in support carry the day. A subplot that has everything thinking the daughter might be with child was semi-shocking for the time but, today, might make one wonder what the fuss was about. The completely artificial looking sets-Rio as painted on a scrim-leave no doubt that this was filmed on the back lot.(And that illusion isn't helped by some included footage actually shot in Rio during Carnival.) But the singing and dancing are fun to watch, Jane Powell is in particularly good voice, and the thin plot just carries the day. But only just. Need I mention the happy ending? Did you think otherwise? So join Ann and the cast for a spurious adventure in Rio and remind yourself what good actors can do with very modest material.

Frances Elliott (Ann Sothern) is an established stage star and her daughter, Nancy (Jane Powell) is an aspiring actress. However, some potential hurt feelings might be in store for them, as Frances assumes that the lead in an upcoming play will be hers...but the producer and author see someone much younger....and want Nancy instead. Could this get any worse? Well, later it appears that they are vying for the same man (Barry Sullivan)!

Despite the plot sounding a bit scandalous, it really isn't. In fact, it's just a nice old fashioned musical and makes for decent viewing. Far from a must see but enjoyable. My only reservation is for someone who has a fear of clowns...they should NOT watch the picture as some mega-creepy clowns do a song and dance number with Carmen Miranda near the end...and it will most likely unnerve you.

A so-so musical comedy, chipper and competently shot on the studio back lot far, far away from Rio. If there's any reason to watch this corny confection, it would be for the show-stopping number by Carmen Miranda in the nightclub. The hues alone are incredible! Everything is dripping in rich, over-saturated color - the costumes, the set - it's like an explosion at the Technicolor factory. The production designer and director were surely using the process to "wow" the audience used to common, flatter black and white films for so long, similar to the 3D process that would come along later. Inside this gem of a scene is Miranda's dance performance, which is really energetic and quite imaginative. If you ever wanted to test your TV screen color and balance, this scene from this piece of 50s flash might be the one to do that with. The rest of the film? Meh... hokum, but quaint.