Lovesusti The Worst Film Ever

Jeanskynebu the audience applauded

Acensbart Excellent but underrated film

Nayan Gough A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

mark.waltz As a musical comedy, "Small Town Girl" is not on par with MGM's top films in this genre. However, it is a basically pleasant movie, colorfully made and professionally performed. Jane Powell, the beautiful leading lady, lacks in decent material, relegated to unmemorable songs and a characterization that is pretty bland when comparred to supporting characters played by Bobby Van and Ann Miller. The small town innocence is there, although a production number with Van and Powell at a box social seems totally out of place. When Van breaks into a musical number in Papa S.Z. Sakall's store, pure joy erupts, and when he starts his delightful hopping number, the silliness doesn't matter. His elation becomes the audience's.] As for the story, I couldn't find myself believing wealthy New Yorker Farley Granger falling in love with Duck Falls resident Powell and planning to move there. I liked the fact, however, that his mama (Billie Burke) supported Judge Robert Keith's decision to arrest Granger and hold him for 30 days for speeding through town and contempt of court. However, that as a ruse in the screenplay to get Granger and Powell together in a romantic way just didn't ring true. Powell is charming and Granger is very handsome, but they shared no chemistry. As for Annie Miller, she gets some witty lines and a magnificent musical number (the lavish "I Gotta Hear That Beat!") staged by Busby Berkley that features huge drums and other instruments coming out of the stage with only the musician's hands appearing to play them. Pure genius on Berkley's part, and an equal visual treat as original as the "Our Love Affair" number in "Strike Up the Band!" where cakes and a fruit bowl become an entire orchestra.

ron-fernandez-pittsburgh SMALL TOWN GIRL is really a dated film. All the men are always in ties, even home at the dinner table. Girls were all made up and wore skirts and everything and everybody is squeaky clean. But wait, this is an MGM musical!! There are three musical numbers in this film that are worth catching. The two with Bobby Van (a Donald 0'Conner type) and one with Ann Miller. The plot is forgettable as it was meant to be, but somewhat fun while you're watching. This is one of Jane Powells lackluster performances and Farley Granger looks good. Look for Beverly Wills (Joan Davis daughter) in a brief but bright supporting role. One aspect doesn't make sense. Farley Granger receives a call from his butler saying the Jane Powell character is locked in his mothers fur closet and is told to come home to rescue her. He gets home and goes to the closet and simply opens it. Why couldn't the butler do it?????

mes5 Does anyone know any behind the scenes info about the dance number "Take Me to Broadway" as performed by Bobby Van in this movie? It is comprised of several minutes of hopping. For example, did he do it in one take? Did he have to have special shoes that had major cushioning inside? Whose idea was it to have him perform a dance that consisted only of hopping? As someone who has suffered from shin splints, I think this choreography would make him a prime candidate for that or some other kind of injury as a result of this dance. Did he do special warm-ups? This just struck me as I watching the film on May 21, TCM channel. Some people will think it odd to focus on this, when the major dance number is Ann Miller's, but I just got to thinking . . .

MicahG All in all, a less than impressive movie. Standard characters without any unique qualities and a story line that's been used in too many movies are what stand out in this bland romantic comedy. What saves the movie though are the dance numbers. Especially the famous Ann Miller scene where she's dancing amongst the musical instruments protruding from beneath the stage.