5/10
My Fair French Lady.
1 December 2015
Warning: Spoilers
How do you turn a sarong into a Paris original? It takes class, poise and a ton of conniving. This remake of the 1934 musical "Let's Fall in Love" puts Dorothy Lamour into carny clothes and after initially seen in a Carmen Miranda disguise, movie director Don Ameche plans to make her a genuine French movie star after his temperamental leading lady (Adele Jerhens) makes the scene to end all scenes. Lamour goes under strict training before making her public debut. Falling in love with Ameche, Lamour's honest slip of the tongue threatens to destroy both her future as a movie star as well as Ameche's directing career.

A decent post war musical was just one of many musical remakes of the post war era which strived to remain traditional in spite of changing tastes. Still gorgeous, Lamour makes an amusing comedian and displays both feistiness and sweetness with equal zest. Janis Carter adds some sparkle as Ameche's sister while Jergens goes all out as the initial choice for Ameche's film. Jeanne Manet adds both glamour and eccentric humor. Willard Parker takes on a Ralph Bellamy role of Ameche's rather dull rival for Lamour's affections. Still, in spite of all the talent, it's another case of a Cinderella rising out of the cinders and becoming the bell of the ball. The musical numbers indicate that this should have been made in color with one number looking like it was from the set of the Rita Hayworth musical "Down to Earth". In her big dramatic scene, Lamour seems to be trying to burlesque an Irish accent that would embarrass Maureen O'Hara. She does a nice job with " Let's Fall in Love " however, so a few overlooks of her acting weaknesses can be forgiven.
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