Hayden Kane
There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes
Juana
what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.
Marva
It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,
TheLittleSongbird
The involvement of a talented cast (Tyrone Power, Don Ameche, Alice Faye, Ethel Merman, Jack Haley) and director (the undervalued Henry King) and with songs penned by one of the greatest song-writers of all time Irving Berlin were reasons enough to see 'Alexander's Ragtime Band' in the first place.And on the most part it did not disappoint. Its only primary fault really is the thin-on-the-ground (merely an excuse to string along songs together) and old-hat (with a concept that has been done to death and much better) story, that is even further advantaged by that it's pure sappy hokum, that it's rather perfunctorily paced at the beginning and that the First World War stuff is dispatched rather too quickly, almost like a throwaway.It is constantly mentioned that one shouldn't see musicals for their stories, but it always depends on how well done everything else is, if other elements are not very well executed or if the story is the only element not so well executed that it sticks out like a sore thumb it is more noticeable and does sort of matter. The latter is the case here.However, the main reason to see 'Alexander's Ragtime Band' is the music. It is literally an Irving Berlin song-fest and what a glorious one it is too, not hard at all to see why the musical is considered his first big popular hit. Some of the songs are among his most well-known and best, especially "Blue Skies", "Easter Parade" and "Heat Wave".The title song, "This is the Life", "My Walking Stick" and "All Alone" are similarly wonderful, but really there isn't a bad song in the bunch. They are very nicely staged too, with the most note-worthy being "My Walking Stick", a lot of fun, and the Faye and Merman rendition of "Blue Skies", which admittedly made me tear up.'Alexander's Ragtime Band' looks good too, being handsomely shot and with elegant costume design. The sets, while not lavish or expansive, are still very easy on the eye. The script crackles, amuses and affects, and despite the perfunctory beginning once the film picks up and it does so very quickly the energy is non-stop. King directs with panache and class.Power's gorgeously handsome looks, immense likability and magnetic charisma film are so winning here that I was willing to forgive his reasonably limited singing ability and lack of rhythm, things usually not really that forgivable personally when watching musicals. Faye sings beautifully, especially in "Remember" and "All Alone" that are also sung with heartfelt emotion, the camera clearly loves her and she is impossible to resist or dislike.Ameche completes the love triangle charmingly in the most effortless of ways, and is every bit as likable as Power. Merman steals scenes with her boundless energy and big brassy voice that soars in songs like "My Walking Stick", "Everybody Step" and particularly "Pack Up Your Sins and Go to the Devil" while also softening in "Blue Skies" and "A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody". Haley, in a pre-Tin Man role, dances with energetic athleticism and has a very appealing presence on film.In summary, with the sole exception of the story a winner all round, with the biggest joy being the songs. Essentially a must watch for Berlin fanatics, because they will be in heaven.Power, Ameche, Faye and King also worked together in 'In Old Chicago', and while it had a riveting final twenty minutes, with terrific visuals for back then and now, and the cast acquit themselves very well it is nowhere near as good a film. 8/10 Bethany Cox
JLRMovieReviews
Tyrone Power, Alice Faye and Don Ameche star in this movie musical, which was nominated for six Oscars at the time, including Best Picture, winning one for Best Music Score. Tyrone has been studying and playing classical music, so when mother hears of him taking up this old ragtime music, she doesn't speak to him. But Tyrone as Roger has had an inner longing for this type of expression. He and his band, which includes Don Ameche, tries to find a job at a restaurant that has floor shows. Of course, Alice Faye is there, trying to get her music heard, played and sold. When they need something to play for an audition, her music is swiped by their bartender friend. They start to play and she fumes. "My music." So, she chimes in, with "Come on and hear, Come on and hear Alexander's ragtime band...." She is a sensation. Or are they? They get the job, but as a package deal, not separately. Neither Alice nor Ty are happy about it, as they fight like a rooster and hen. And, Don Ameche took to her right away. Get the picture! The movie itself is very well made and makes for entertaining melodramatic escapism. While this is certainly more than just a musical, with its three-dimensional characters, the songs are superlative. There were a lot of great songwriters in the early 20th century, like the Gershwins, Mercer, and others. And, they all had their own style. But no one could write 'em like Irving Berlin. "Alexander's Ragtime Band" is one example of how thrilling his songs were. If you've never seen this film, you must see it. It has gotten somewhat overshadowed by "Singin' in the Rain" and other more well-known major movie musicals, but this is an essential to musicals and is time well-spent with good actors.
blanche-2
The last time I saw this movie was probably the late '60s, when I watched it on television with a group of friends. I just saw it again on DVD, and it's as much fun as I remember it. In 108 minutes, I wouldn't be surprised if 90 minutes was music, and what music! One Irving Berlin song after another, sung by either Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Ethel Merman, or Jack Haley. A young Merman, with a sexy figure, really pops in this film with her exciting belt voice.A thinnish plot surrounds the songs. It's the story of a classical musician (Tyrone Power) who forms a swing band and, because of the song "Alexander's Ragtime Band" takes the name Alexander for himself and the Ragtime Band for his group. The movie takes us loving, losing, and playing music through World War I and into the swing era, though there's not a gray hair to be found among our heroes.Ameche and Power were friends before either one of them was signed by 20th Century Fox, and with Faye, they made "In Old Chicago" together plus this film - and both Faye/Ameche and Faye/Power made other films together as well. The three work very well as an ensemble. Faye is especially lovely in this. She sings in a commanding contralto, wears some great fashions, and is appropriately feisty, low-class, or classy as the part demands.As lovely as she was, though, she's no competition for the most gorgeous one in the movie, Tyrone Power. He's pretty darn breathtaking in that tuxedo of his. He could have conducted me anywhere.Monumentally entertaining music and plenty of eye candy - highly recommended.
Mike-764
Roger Grant, a classically trained violinist, is leading a small band in turn of the century San Francisco with little success. One fateful night, Stella Kirby, brings sheet music of Irving Berlin's new song, Alexander's Ragtime Band. Stella sings while Roger plays the song, and all three are a hit, despite the friction between Roger (who now is the Alexander from the song) and Stella. Obviously there is hints of romance between the two, but fellow band member Charlie Dwyer completes the love triangle, and is the one who captures Stella's hand in marriage. Roger/Alexander and his band tour the country and entertain the troops overseas in World War I, and returns to the US a sensation, while the marriage between Stella and Charlie falls apart because the two realize they are not the ones meant for each other. Stella tries to rekindle the romance with Roger, but singer Jerry Allen has fallen for the band leader, despite being somewhat indifferent towards her. Roger, Charlie, and the rest of the band perform a concert reuniting everyone, while Stella feels on the outside thinking she has no part in Roger's life. The film's story line is predictable, full of holes, and mushy and the performances are enjoyable at best, but the film carries such an energy thanks to Berlin's music, as well as the singing from both Faye and Merman (who does stand out in this early role). The musical numbers are quite different from the ones preceding it, which does keep the movie fresh. Rating, 7.
