Supporting players Marjorie Main, Alice Pierce and Keenan Wynn do their best, but the script is no help to them. I've heard Vera-Ellen described as a wonderful dancer, but she seems frozen and mechanical here. It would be nice if she changed the expression on her face once or twice during a movie. Vera-Ellen angry, Vera-Ellen concerned, Vera-Ellen in love...same difference. There are too many songs (or is it that they're such lame, forgettable songs?). The only reason to see this film is near the end when Astaire, in a white suit with trousers slightly too short in order to show off colored socks, dances on a sandy stage to "A Dancin' Man." That's worth the rental of the DVD right there.
Also, the DVD I watched had a clip of a discarded version of "Dancin' Man." It was interesting to see this much inferior take.
Also, the DVD I watched had a clip of a discarded version of "Dancin' Man." It was interesting to see this much inferior take.