You'll Never Get Rich

I have to differ with the viewer who feels that though Rita Hayworth was a marvelous dancer she did not measure up to Ginger Rogers as the partner of Fred Astaire. Rita's dancing was so graceful that she was the perfect match for the stupendous Astaire. Her beauty in this movie is a thing to behold. Now after all these years we can only wish that they included a bunch of other dances instead of all the silliness. How can it be that such a lovely as Rita would have such a difficult life? I wonder if the talented Hayworth ever realized that it would be her early dancing that would really be her lasting legacy and if she did would she have given us more to appreciate for the years. Watching her dance as a young woman is a joy that will be repeated for generations.

Impresario Martin Cortland has a big crush on the showgirl Sheila Winthrop.Her wife may not like that.Mrs. Susan Cortland happens to find a diamond bracelet with Sheila's name on it.He tells a lie that choreographer Robert Curtis bought that to her.They all go out together, which suits Sheila just fine, since she has a crush on Robert.But she starts loathing him after she finds out the game they were playing.Robert notices he has feelings for Sheila.Then Uncle Sam wants him and he is drafted into the army, where he gets in and out of prison.But they'll meet again.Sidney Lanfield's You'll Never Get Rich (1941) is a wonderful wartime picture.It has the brilliant score by Cole Porter.This was the first movie that teamed Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth.What a great pair they make! Fred even made Rita his favorite dancing partner, before Ginger Rogers.He even knew her father before she was born, as they were dancers on the New York City vaudeville circuit.The movies she made with Fred were Rita's own personal favorites.Robert Benchley does a great job as the womanizing impresario.Frieda Inescort is marvelous as his wife.Osa Massen is very good as his new girl Sonya.John Hubbard is terrific as Captain Tom Barton.Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams is terrific as Kewpie Blain.And so is Cliff Nazarro as Swivel Tongue 'Swiv'.Donald MacBride is magnificent as Top Sergeant.This romantic musical comedy is very entertaining, and often very funny.I had most fun watching that restaurant scene, where they're trying to convince Mrs. Cortland that Sheila is Robert's girl.Also the double-talk routine by Cliff Nazarro at the train station is funny.Or him trying to get some water to Robert as others are trying to sleep.Astaire in a captain's uniform is quite hilarious.And when he goes AWOL.And you could never get bored of watching Fred Astaire's tap dancing.

I think this film is a delightful comedy, with all players playing their respected roles beautifully. I especially love the dance steps and musical number done by Astaire and Hayworth during rehearsal at the beginning of the movie.

Ginger Rogers may have been Fred Astaire's ultimate dance partner, but Rita Hayworth makes a very worthwhile play for that title in 'You Were Never Lovelier'. This fun wartime comedy-musical has a very contrived plot that is as flimsy as tissue paper, but when the two stars Hayworth and Astaire are on screen together all faults are forgiven for the sheer brilliance they show together as dancing partners.

Hayowrth, early in her career, shows little sign of nervousness before the camera and handles her role as Sheila Winthrop very well, she imbues her with charm, grace and just a hint of sass. Astaire is equally likable as Robert Curtis, Rita's love interest from the beginning. As with all of Astaire's films with Rogers the lovestruck couple experience a series of misdemeanours that hinder their romance, until a romantic finale reunites the pair. Light moments of comedy work well to compliment the bursts of energetic dancing, and Hayworth's and Astaire's charisma shine through perfectly when they are needed to lift the action.

The army base setting is refreshing, yet also distracting. A little too much time is given to the rather unamusing antics of Astaire's servicemen buddies. The film isn't overly influenced with visual style, the sets look as if they have been used time and time again, yet Hayworth and Astaire are sublime whatever the situation. Rita looks very beautiful in this one, and she displays a natural acting talent. Astaire was never much of an actor but he lights up the screen like no other. Nice supporting work from Frieda Inescort is a highlight, as is the dancing finale for Hayworth and Astaire atop an army tank. Yes, the army sub-plot came in handy in the end.

Margarita Cansino was still undergoing the 'Rita Hayworth' transformation while this film was being made, so Rita still looks quite Latin in most scenes, with darker hair than we are normally accustomed to from the famous redhead. Fred often said that Rita was the best dancer he ever worked with, and at times he does seem in awe of her capabilities that definitely match his. Rita considered this one of the two jewels in her film career (the other being 'You Were Never Lovelier' with, you guessed it, Fred), and it is a gorgeous film.

A feel-good musical that isn't a mind-blowing film experience, yet is definitely an enjoyable one.

7/10.

"You'll Never Get Rich" is a 1941 film starring Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth, Robert Benchley, and a very large cast. Benchley plays Martin Cortland, a producer who chases around on his wife (Frieda Inescort) and sets his sights on Sheila (Hayworth), who is in his current show along with Robert Curtis (Astaire). When his wife suspects, Martin has Robert take Sheila out and present her with a diamond bracelet that Martin actually purchased for her but that his wife found in his pocket. Martin then pretends he bought it for Robert to give to Sheila. Sheila angrily refuses it, and when Robert goes to her place to explain, he comes face to face with her boyfriend, whom he thinks is her brother - whoever he is, he has a gun in his hand. Robert finds himself drafted and, desperate to get in and avoid Sheila's boyfriend, pads himself with the 5 extra pounds he needs to get into the service. He then spends just about the rest of the film in the guard house until the grand finale - and even then, he's returned to the guard house.

That's the story and admittedly, it's not much. There are some very good dance numbers, but the thing about the film that's special is the partnership of Astaire and Hayworth. They are marvelous together. Supposedly Rita was his favorite partner, and it's easy to see why. She doesn't dance; she floats, and she's so gloriously beautiful, you can't take your eyes off of her. Fred and Rita dance to the "Boogie Barcarole," "So Near Yet So Far," and "The Wedding Cake Walk," sung by Martha Tilton for Rita. Fred's solos include "Shootin' the Work for Uncle Sam," and "Since I Kissed My Baby Goodbye." It's hard to go wrong with stars like Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth, and while this isn't the best film of either one of them, it's still enjoyable.