Golden Girl

THe role that made Mitzi Gaynor a star. As musical formulas go, this is as formulaic as it gets. But formula hath not make a bad picture. As with any musical, no matter how mundane or pedestrian the plot, good songs and singing can always save it. That is the case here, especially one song I can't get out of my head. You'll know it. It's played again and again as hollywood pro Lloyd Bacon uses it as a transitional device. All scenes are shot and edited well and all acting is good and Mitzi Gaynor delivers a star performance.

How could I have lived 61 years & not properly appreciated the talent & beauty of Mitzi Gaynor?

She was great...she has the rare ability to present innocence, freshness, and be quite sexy....what a lady.

The story of the Bella Union, or at least some of it was fascinating to me.

I only wish there had been something said of her visit to Tombstone Arizona, the Birdcage Theater, which also hosted Eddie Foy, shortly after Wyatt Earp & Doc Holliday spent evenings in the, then new, Birdcage.

Could anyone elaborate on the historical accuracy of her relationship with a Southern Officer? Since she never married, it leaves one wondering.

This movie, along with South Pacific will initiate many searches/viewings of Mitzi Gaynor movies.

Does anyone here have any further info on Mitzi Gaynor's present activities....still making appearances?....healthy?

Mitzi gets to strut her stuff in this almost wholly fictional biography of pioneering actress Lotta Crabtree. The actual story of Lotta's life, touring mining camps, forging what became early American theatre in the West and becoming a major philanthropist, was far more interesting than this surface collection of period inappropriate musical numbers tied tenaciously to a silly love story that never happened and makes Lotta seem foolish and naive.

Mitzi was a fantastic dancer and a pert personality and those two traits are much in evidence throughout the film so if you like her you'll like this. There is also the wonderful Una Merkel as Lotta's mother adding a bit of dash to the proceedings but she's the only member of the supporting cast that makes any impression.

A colorful movie but worthless as if you're interested in Miss Crabtree's story.

Although the plot plays fast and loose with history, the film is based on the early stage career of 19th century singer Lotta Crabtree, as played with gusto by Mitzi Gaynor, who shows herself to be one of the great dancers of 20th century cinema. Under the guidance of her stage mother, 16-year-old Crabtree began performing for sex-starved California miners and later wealthy city slickers across America, earning a fortune for her family. Set against the background of the Civil War, the melodrama centers on her romance with a South spy and her relationship with her brother-like partner, played by Dale Robertson and Dennis Day, respectively. The beauty of the film is its music, with Gaynor irresistibly innocent and vivacious, Day in his best tenor form, and Carmen D'Antonio as European stage entertainer Loa Montez, Crabtree's inspiration. Top among the cute songs is "Kiss Me Quick and Go." Curiously, "Oh Dem Golden Slippers," which repeats throughout the film, was not written until 1879, many years after the Civil War.

In common with a fellow reviewer I saw this movie as a teenager.I remember it vividly, probably THE FILM which made the deepest impression on my young mind. I would really love for my grown children to see it.Yes I have moved on to appreciate much more sophisticated movies,in fact have little time for the majority of films made today. GOLDEN GIRL is-was a really good feel movie that has stayed with me for fifty years. I may add that few persons have seen anything like the number of films I have devoured in my lifetime.To films every day, three-hundred and sixty days a year. Can anyone tell me if it is possible to order a DVD of this movie or if anyone would part with their copy? Lets form a Golden Girl fan club? Lyn Kristensen Oslo Norway