I suppose the only fair way to review this movie is to watch it first without having already seen The Little Shop Around the Corner. I can't do that, however, and it leaves me comparing the two, which is never to Summertime's advantage.
On the one hand, I don't like some of the things that were added, like Van Johnson's strange relationship with the violinist.
On the other, when Summertime repeats Shop, sometimes with virtually the same dialogue, I'm disappointed that Van Johnson doesn't do the lines as well as James Stewart. And Sakall doesn't give the store owner the depth that Frank Morgan did in Shop.
Yes, there are musical numbers here, but they aren't very interesting, though Garland gives her all to bring them off.
In short, this is probably a pleasant movie for those who don't know Shop. For those who do, it's a series of disappointments.
On the one hand, I don't like some of the things that were added, like Van Johnson's strange relationship with the violinist.
On the other, when Summertime repeats Shop, sometimes with virtually the same dialogue, I'm disappointed that Van Johnson doesn't do the lines as well as James Stewart. And Sakall doesn't give the store owner the depth that Frank Morgan did in Shop.
Yes, there are musical numbers here, but they aren't very interesting, though Garland gives her all to bring them off.
In short, this is probably a pleasant movie for those who don't know Shop. For those who do, it's a series of disappointments.