ghmoffatt-1

This movie had a lot of potential but didn't really work. They could have tightened the editing and and used steadier camera movement. Don't see if you can't handle a shaky camera!

All of the acting was good, but it was the action that didn't turn out as well.

Really though it was the direction that could have improved, by building more suspense. I felt like a lot of the plot was overly predictable.

I wasn't sure who the actual audience this was aimed for, I'm assuming teens?

There are some great actors in this, even if they are covered up with a lot of makeup. I haven't read the books so I have no idea how accurate the movie is. Overall I wouldn't see it again, at least not in the theater.

Meh.

Of course the plot is dreary and there's not enough singing and dancing. For me, there never is. As a movie, it rather sucks, but as a DVD it is just fine. Just go to the numbers with Doris, Gordon and the people you like to watch perform. The surprising highlight of the film is Janice Rule. She and Gene Nelson dance together in two numbers. This is the only time she got to dance in a movie. I knew she danced on Broadway in "The Happiest Girl In The World", but I didn't see it and THIS I can see. I'm glad that this is on DVD. I can watch Janice Rule dance anytime I want. She was wonderful.Patrice Wymore dances to and "sings" Gershwin's "Liza". Sounded like Bonnie Lou Willams. She seemed to be the voice double of every lovely non-singing lady at Warner Bros. when she wasn't recording with Gordon Jenkins. Virginia Mayo's number was quite good and I wish they would put "She's Working Her Way Through College" and "She's Back On Broadway" in a set with some other pictures that she did at that studio. Also, how about all three versions of "The Desert Song" and the three of "Showboat" ? I would buy all of these tomorrow. Hey, if you do, please include Ava's tracks.