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Editorial Review:
Amazon.com:
This 1954 dinosaur brings together two giants of Broadway, Ethel Merman and Irving Berlin, just as their moment was passing forever, to create one last hurrah: a celebration of the glories that were vaudeville. Still, it's hard to imagine that Broadway--or nightclub entertaining, for that matter--was ever quite this lavish and satisfying. The story centers on a married couple, the Donahues (Dan Dailey and Merman), who live on the road as vaudeville entertainers, and since they have children, begin incorporating the kids into the act. Eventually, the kids grow up to be Donald O'Connor, Mitzi Gaynor, and Johnny Ray, and they begin having interests of their own. Donald's is an ambitious showgirl (Marilyn Monroe), whose standoffish response to his romantic overtures drives him to drink. Best for its lavish, splashy production numbers built around some of the best of the Berlin songbook, including the title tune and 'A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody.' --Marshall Fine
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Fabulous
In this production, it is a feast to watch and listen! Music is playing and people are dancing from the very beginning and it does not stop until the movie does. The actors are phenominal, including the comical Donald O Connor, the robust Ethel Merman, and the seductive Marilyn Monroe, as charming as ever. If you enjoy musicals, this is a must. There is all different types of music, and an array of performers. Marilyn portrays her role fantastically and she offers a few chuckles, too. She sings some ... Read More
Rating: - Last Great Old Time Musical
Before 1955, what more did you need in a musical? A flimsy storyline...some great star power...and a ton of great tin pan alley songs were all you needed in the recipe for a great musical. THERE'S NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS had it all. Leading the cast and the loudness was Ethel Merman. She was never a great movie star, but what a powerhouse. A hundred chorus singers could be singing around here and all you would hear is Merman. Also in the cast was Dan Dailey as Merman's husband. Sadly, I think ... Read More
Rating:  - Pass on this one
Where do I begin? First of all the story line was weak. The movie seemed to drag on forever. I breathed a heavy sigh of relief when it was finally over. Seriously, how many different versions of Alexander's Ragtime Band can a person listen to in a single movie and not go insane?
Now for the good parts. The costumes were gorgeous. The dancers were very talented. They made complicated steps appear effortless.
Overall, the movie was over the top during the musical numbers ... Read More
Rating: - Must Be Seen To Be Believed
This is a mind-boggling "theater" movie, a sort of "Ozzie and Harriet" on steroids. The movie dives right into the life and times of "the Donahues" -- the show biz family to end all show biz families. It's unintentionally hysterical, shocking, wild, big, bizarre... for me it really ran straight down the list of adjectives from Capital "A!" to triple ZZZ! Everything big, bright, fizzy, funny, fine!
First: I never really appreciated Marilyn Monroe till I saw her in this movie. She was (perhaps ... Read More
Rating: - Showbusiness Review
Great show. It was just as good now as it was the first time I saw it.
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