Rich, Young and Pretty

Jane Powell sparkles as Texas gal Elizabeth Rogers who travels to Europe with her single father and finds romance with a young man--and also meets the mother she never knew. MGM musical on a less-than-grand scale, yet underrated Powell really pours on the charm and her song numbers are fairly witty. The picture is a bit encumbered by the studio's restrictions--there are hardly any scenes set outdoors, and the shots of Paris are obviously fillers from MGM's stock--but the cast (including Una Merkel, Fernando Lamas and Wendell Corey) is colorful and the screenplay (worked on by Sidney Sheldon) is lively and fun. **1/2 from ****

There are a few good songs in this movie, but most are as forgettable as the characters. Wendell Corey is not convincing as a Texan and looks hungover during the movie. He also cannot sing and does a terrible version of 'Deep in the Heart of Texas'. The characters are all shallow and Jane barely cares that Danielle deserted her as a child.

I did like Hans Conried as a pushy waiter and the Four Freshmen have a nice musical number. Worth a look if you like any of the stars or you are a big fan of the genre.

Very late July, and it is my silly season for watching films. I love diversity, and I am drawn to what I call ' easy ' old films, from any country, and almost any genre. This musical is bearable because it has Danielle Darrieux in it, singing two of the most passable songs in the film. Jane Powell is always good to watch, but the Paris it is set in is beyond fake, bordering on the ridiculous. Wendell Corey and Vic Damone are awful, and the latter could not act at all. My main gripe is that it has every French stereotype in the cinematic book, some scenes cringe worthy and one example is when Corey sings a song ( badly ) called I think ' Deep in the Heart of Texas ' in a Paris restaurant. And forces other to sing along with him. No one went to Paris to make this mediocre film, and it seems to me it was a Joe Pasternak produced piece of froth firmly directed to middle America who could fantasise over Paris cliches. Darrieux holds the film together and no spoilers on the contrived plot. I have no idea why in 1951 she wanted to be in it, considering she was at her career peak with films like ' Occupe Toi D'Amelie '. A 5 for every scene that manages to bring this nonsense to life. She is superb.

Firstly, I had seen Miss Darieux in several movies. In this one, not even a trace of a French accent - amazing. Also, enjoyed Lamas, an Argentinian with a what-kind-of accent. By the way, whatever happened to his heart-throb son? Back to "Rich, Young and Pretty," I say pooh - double pooh - or poohpooh to the naysayers who dissected this movie and found fault with the performers and/or the script.

The songs were good, but certainly not MGM's best. The happiest surprise was "Deep In the Heart of Texas" - what a joy, and the song involving the great Four Freshmen.

The ballads were fairly decent - nothing more, nothing less. As for the fellow with the cane and cigar box who does not like Jane Powell - to quote Gen. McAuliffe when asked about surrendering to Germany - NUTS! I don't know if she was pretty or cute, so I settle for pretty cute. Her voice, not quite as strong as Kathryn Grayson, is still quite beautiful.

One of that era's best singers was Vic Damone who could sing powerfully, or pleasantly. I enjoyed him.

I loved the ending with its flying saucers - and knives, forks, spoons, and French cuisine.

Yes, I enjoyed the movie, and I'm proud to admit it. Onward and upward.

No need to recap the plot, which at the beginning resembles that of Giant (1956). Musicals generally live or die by the quality of the music. By that standard, this one is pretty much a snoozer following a string of forgettably bland numbers, which at least don't annoy.

The movie itself stands as a clear instance of lead performers outshining the material— mainly, the always sparkling Jane Powell and a fabulous Danielle Darrieux. Even the seemingly miscast Corey, so usually dour, manages an agreeable father. While in a tacked-on role, a hunky Fernando Lamas is clearly on his way up. One can sympathize, however, with boyish crooner Damone in his first film-- his self-consciousness almost flies off the screen.

I expect critics are right about the problems caused by Powell's pregnancy. The production has a less polished, more constrained look than the usual high MGM standard. This could well be due to a hurry-up schedule and Powell's growing girth. Whatever the reason, the movie's a chance to catch the ravishing French actress Darrieux in one of her few American roles. Otherwise, it's pretty forgettable.