It's Always Fair Weather (1955)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Directors:

Stanley Donen
Gene Kelly

Writers:

Betty Comden (story) and
Adolph Green (story)

Release Date:

2 September 1955 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy | Musical

Plot:

Three soldiers meet 10 years after their last meeting in New York again, and find out, that they have litte in common now.

Plot Keywords:

Bar | Friendship | Gangster | Taj Mahal | Veteran

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Gene Kelly	...	Ted Riley
Dan Dailey	...	Doug Hallerton
Cyd Charisse	...	Jackie Leighton
Dolores Gray	...	Madeline Bradville
Michael Kidd	...	Angie Valentine
David Burns	...	Tim
Jay C. Flippen	...	Charles Z. Culloran

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System) (35 mm optical prints) | 4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Sound System) (35 mm magnetic prints)

Certification:

Australia:G | USA:TV-G (TV rating) | Finland:S

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

Betty Comden and Adolph Green originally conceived this musical as a sequel to their smash, On the Town (1949), having the new film reunite Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra and Jules Munshin. The concept was changed somewhat because was Mr. Sinatra was unavailable to reprise his role.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When Ted runs out of Tim's Bar after reading the "Dear John" letter from his girlfriend, at least one of the cars on the street (a taxi) is an early 1950s model, although the scene is set in 1945.

Quotes:

Jackie Leighton: But, Ted, aren't you in terrible danger?
Ted Riley: Yeah. Yeah, I'm in terrible danger. I'm in danger of believing that look on your face.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Adventures of Superman: The Wedding of Superman (#4.8)" (1956)

Soundtrack:

Saturation-Wise

Wonderful MGM Technicolor musical, with a slightly sad tinge

Three Army buddies go their separate ways after they return home, but vow to meet at their local hangout in ten years to prove that they're still the best of buds. Doesn't turn out that way. They aren't the same people, they don't like each other much anymore, and they don't even really like themselves much. But the skeleton of the story sounds charming, and a TV exec (Cyd Charisse) plans to get them all on television in a surprise ambush. Gene Kelly steals the movie, mostly because he pretty much literally did so. Apparently he was a total diva during the production and post-production, cutting numbers and making sure he got all the best moments. His two Army buddies are far less interesting. But the film still works pretty damn well. All the musical numbers are fantastic, especially Kelly's roller skate number and Charisse's dance with the boxers (love the blue duds). Dolores Gray has a juicy supporting role as an arrogant TV hostess. Her musical number may be the best part of the film. All in all, a gem.