GOOD NEWS was a Broadway classic of the 1920s. But most of you haven't seen a really good production of the original musical. Even threadbare amateur attempts have been seen by very few modern viewers. So you can be excused for thinking that this 1947 movie is a faithful rendering of something that your grandparents raved about.
No such luck. This musical about college romance is chockful of stars who are about a dozen years too old for college. And very little remains of the original story or script. The famous songs, such as The Best Things in Life are Free, Button Up Your Overcoat, etc. have been shuffled around, and the great dance classic, The Varsity Drag, has been moved from the middle to the finale and changed from a Charleston to something that looks like goosestepping. A soundtrack recording preserves the songs nicely but the movie distorts what was once a memorable night at the musical theater.
No such luck. This musical about college romance is chockful of stars who are about a dozen years too old for college. And very little remains of the original story or script. The famous songs, such as The Best Things in Life are Free, Button Up Your Overcoat, etc. have been shuffled around, and the great dance classic, The Varsity Drag, has been moved from the middle to the finale and changed from a Charleston to something that looks like goosestepping. A soundtrack recording preserves the songs nicely but the movie distorts what was once a memorable night at the musical theater.