Blue Skies

This film starts off with Fred Astaire addressing folks over the radio. Oddly, he begins to tell people about his life with his two friends and there is a long flashback scene--where Fred looks EXACTLY the same age as he does when the film begins. It's also odd, as his character seems almost like it was inserted into the film late in the production--as the main story concerns Bing Crosby and Joan Caulfield.

It seems that the three are Vaudeville friends. Fred is head-over-heels for Joan--and Joan is in love with Bing (who is reasonably indifferent for a while). Eventually, Bing and Joan marry--and you see VERY little of Fred through much of the rest of the film. It's a shame, as I really watched this movie for him more than anything else. Eventually, the new marriage goes on the rocks because Bing is too focused on success--much to the detriment of family life. Can these folks somehow make a go of it? Now considering it's a Hollywood film, I'd say the chances are pretty great they will--though if these were real people, you'd advise to Joan to get a divorce and be done with the louse! And what about poor Fred?! What will happen with this really swell guy? Well, what REALLY happens took me aback--as it appears as if she got BOTH of them by the end of the movie! "Blue Skies" is a film weighted very heavily towards singing and Crosby's talents. So, if you love his singing, the film will no doubt be more enjoyable--especially when he sings an abbreviated version of "White Christmas" (who could dislike that?!). However, I do think the film has one or two too many musical numbers and could have used from a bit more plot. As for me, seeing Fred get to play the #3 man and only dance a bit was sad--though his number "Putting on the Ritz" was terrific. One or two more of his numbers might have made the film a bit better. As for the story, it's pretty clichéd but enjoyable. A decent film but it could have been better--particularly if they'd made Bing's character more likable.

... but thankfully it was not. Having worked since he was a child, Astaire decided that he was tired and wanted to retire. He announced that Blue Skies was going to be his last hurrah. Fortunately for us, Gene Kelly had to bow out of Easter Parade and he managed to coax Astaire out of retirement to take over. Astaire's career was revitalized and he went on to perform into his 80s.

At any rate, here both male stars are in love with the same woman (Joan Caufield in this case). I like the pairing of Astaire and Crosby. Their respective talents play well off each other, especially in their "A Couple of Song and Dance Men" performance. There are so many songs that show up in Irving Berlin musicals that I didn't even realize were Irving Berlin songs. Crosby performs "(I'll See You in) C-U-B-A." I must say that I prefer Desi Arnaz' rendition. Crosby sang it too slow for my tastes. One of the supporting players, Billy deWolfe, was funny enough. However, I wasn't a fan of his shtick when he was performing sans Crosby or Astaire. He had one bit that went on for quite some time. He was portraying "Mrs. Murgatroyd." I was surprised that his routine was allowed to go on so long since it was just not that amusing. I did some research and found out that deWolfe was a popular comedian in the day and "Mrs. Murgatroyd" was one of his popular characters. Knowing that information, it put his performance into context and it helped make sense out of the attention his act is given in the film.

The showstopping number was Fred Astaire's "Puttin' on the Ritz" number. The rest of the film is average, but Astaire's number makes the entire film worth watching. It is fantastic and a complete joy to watch. The filming and special effects involved in this routine are excellent when considering the production date. There was also another rendition of "White Christmas" which is always enjoyable.

Oh, do notice that the lyrics to "Puttin on the Ritz", which was written for the 1930 film of the same name, have been changed to remove any perceived racial elements. The original lyrics talked about well dressed African American servants out on their night off. The version sung here mentions people who are "dressed up like a million dollar trouper trying hard to look like Gary Cooper". Not many people in 1930 would have known who Gary Cooper was. He was not a big star yet. At any rate, this film is where the change is first made.

I'd recommend it, but just don't expect "Holiday Inn".

Dancing from Fred Astaire. Singing from Bing Crosby. Songs by Irving Berlin. How could one go wrong? Luckily the three main attractions do not disappoint at all, but as an overall film Blue Skies could have been better.

Blue Skies does suffer from a rather tired and over corny story, and it also feels rather thin with a romance that felt like filler and not much else. Joan Caulfield is both incredibly bland and sometimes annoying in a very underwritten part, and the comedy was patchy. In fact, a lot of the comedy falls as flat as a lead balloon and this is not helped by the overplaying of Billy De Wolfe(though he has his moments). And as good as Bing Crosby is, he comes over as rather stiff and clumsy in his acting here, which is a shame as he has shown a lot of natural presence and likability before.

The film looks great however, with some very clever photography in the Puttin' On the Ritz scene and charming costumes and sets. Irving Berlin's songs are marvellous, the Oscar-nominated You Keep Coming Back Like a Song and the unforgettably energetic Puttin' On the Ritz being the standouts, Blue Skies is a beautiful song too. The score is lush and whimsical. Every bit as good as the songs is the characterful and graceful choreography, the truly outstanding number being Puttin' On the Ritz, the whole scene is spectacular and one of Astaire's most classic routines. Crosby sings absolutely beautifully and Olga San Juan brings fire and charm to a rather one-dimensional part with her particularly shining in the Latin rhythm duet I'll See You in Cuba with Crosby, but other than Puttin' On the Ritz, it's the divine dancing and performance of Fred Astaire that makes Blue Skies worth watching.

All in all, decent film but with the likes of Crosby, Astaire and Berlin involved you expect more than just decent. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Blue Skies was to be Fred's "swan song" as he had announced he would retire from dancing. He had been on the stage since being a child, and at age 46 thought he was danced out. The very last dance number filmed (as in all Astaire musicals) were his solos. The last number, he thought, ever to be filmed in his life was Puttin' On The Ritz. After the last take, he pulled off his mini-rug and stomped on it saying he was glad he didn't have to wear that thing ever again.

His retirement didn't last too long (he spent time with his race horses)as Gene Kelly called saying he had broken his foot playing football, and Fred came back to film work in Easter Parade.

There was to be a third paring of Crosby and Astaire in White Christmas, but Fred had other commitments, that's when Danny Kaye was brought in. Both Astaire and Crosby made their last recording together in the early 1970's called, "A Couple of Song and Dance Men". When they started to record the album, one of them remarked this was the first time they had worked together since Blue Skies. It was their last recording date as Crosby died shortly after, and Astaire never made other recordings.

I had wanted to see this film for years. Despite the talent involved: Astaire; Crosby; Berlin and the best production values that money could buy, I found it to be very disappointing. Part of the problem is, I believe, the lackluster performance of Joan Caulfield who becomes annoying with her vacillating romance between Astaire and Crosby. One wonders why one, much less two, guys would fall for her. Billy DeWolfe and Olga San Juan are very good in supporting roles and,of course, the Irving Berlin score is great, but somehow it all fails to jell.

I believe that this film shows the different "style" of the studios. Had this been made at M-G-M, if probably would have been great, at Paramount it falls flat. "Lady in the Dark" was another Paramount opus which had a similar fault.