Nonureva
Really Surprised!
Inclubabu
Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.
BroadcastChic
Excellent, a Must See
bsmith5552
"Easter Parade" was another of those "rich and famous" musicals that MGM was known for. It was filmed in glorious Technicolor and the songs were written by the legendary Irving Berlin. Although he was given second billing, star Fred Astaire dominates the film. Judy Garland received top billing but takes a back seat to Astaire here.It's 1912 at the time of the Ziegfeld Follies with the story of Broadway dancer Don Hewes (Astaire), his split with his partner Nadine Hale (Ann Miller) and his discovery of unknown dancer Hannah Brown (Garland) to replace her. Into the mix comes Hewes' rich friend Jonathon Harrow III (Peter Lawford). You see Hewes is using the unsuspecting Hannah to make Nadine jealous and show her that he can team with any dancer. An eternal quadrangle develops between the four principles.Irving Berlin penned a number of classic tunes for this one including the title tune, I Love a Piano, Shaking' the Blues away, Steppin' Out With My Baby, Girl on a Magazine Cover among others.Fred Astaire gets two solo numbers, one in a toy store and a production number (Steppin' Out With My Baby) without Garland. She gets to sing a few forgettable numbers as well as the entertaining "Couple of Swells" in tramp costume with Astaire. Ann Miller, complete with those incomparable legs, has two spectacular numbers, "Shakin' the Blues Away" and "The Girl on the Magazine Cover".Judy Garland had by this time started her descent. No longer did she have Vincent Minnelli to make her look beautiful and she was having affairs with several prominent personalities. Fred Astaire literally carried her throughout this film. She would make only two more MGM films before being terminated by the studio.Also in the cast in his first film is Jules Munchin as Francois the waiter and Clinton Sundberg as Mike the barber. Also of note, is Richard Beavers the unbilled singer in the "Girl on the Magazine Cover" number. He had a great voice but never really made it in movies. And. it was a good thing that Peter Lawford didn't pursue a career as a singer as his "crooning" of "A Fella With An Umbrella" will attest.
JLRMovieReviews
Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, Peter Lawford and Ann Miller star in this grand movie musical about a dancing team (Fred and Ann) who break up when Ann Miller decides she has bigger aspirations and leaves the act. Fred then in turn in emotional haste states that she is replaceable and that he can teach anyone to dance as well as she does. Enter Judy Garland. I can't believe I haven't reviewed this film before now, and I don't know if I can contain myself enough to write one. This is absolutely one of my top five musicals of all time, OF ALL TIME! How could I possibly be unbiased! There is not one moment, scene, song or feeling that feels false or weak. Much has been said about the "A Couple of Swells" number in this movie, but every single musical number is great, with "Steppin' Out with My Baby" arguably being the highlight. But even the slow songs that Judy Garland sings are great. There are lots of great crooners and/or vocalists in American music history, but Judy Garland had her distinctive way of reaching her listeners and making you feel in in her place. See the "Better Luck Next Time" number. It goes without saying that Fred is excellent here, and Ann Miller has always been my favorite dancer, who held a record at one time with the most taps in one minute. See her "Shakin' the Blues Away." And, Peter Lawford sings! How can you not like this film! I say it every Easter that this film is too good to only watch once a year. See it right now! See it next month! Watch it for July 4th! See for yourself why this is a great example of MGM movie musicals at their best!!
khoury_alison
What a classic film. We have a tradition of watching Easter films over the long weekend in Australia and this is always a top pick! Fun, bubbly movie featuring two great talents. Enjoyable little musical, even if the musical numbers aren't the most memorable. The movie makes a huge mistake though; near the end it gives the (supposedly) 2nd string Ann Miller the better musical numbers, and give Garland and Astaire only one musical number together, "A couple of swells." A terrible number to portray Astaire and Garland's couple dance chemistry. And Garland's character falls totally in love with Astaire though their dancing. There's no questioning their individual talent, and together Garland and Astaire are a great all-time dance couple. Ann Miller surprisingly gets the best dance numbers, and the music is very memorable. Easter Parade is probably the best of the musicals I've watched; but I think I can watch anything with either Astaire or Garland in it. Their personalities are able to elevate the material that's given to them, in Easter Parade and also pretty much in every movie of theirs that I've seen.
Zoooma
Not a great Fred Astaire musical. He was perfection in every step. But Judy Garland, while good, looked wooden in her dancing alongside his genius. The best number was the drum dance which was right in the beginning. Almost all flat from there. Great to watch Astaire (as always) and Ann Miller is an exceptional dancer but overall the film lacks a certain joie de vivre. Maybe that it's set in 1912. I dunno. Or that there's more pizazz and not so much elegance. Second time I have seen this, first time in at least 10 years, not sure I'll ever seen it again... although because it's an Astaire film, I just might be tempted. As a man, watching men dance I can do without, but when it comes to a certain few, it's amazing to see such perfection and Fred Astaire is perhaps the best of the best!6.4 / 10 stars--Zoooma, a Kat Pirate Screener
