Easter Parade

( 5 )

Overview

Fred Astaire had announced his retirement before the cameras began to roll on Easter Parade, but he decided to accept the film's leading role when its original star Gene Kelly became incapacitated. The thinnish plot, which finds Astaire trying to turn chorus girl Judy Garland into a star in order to show up his former partner Ann Miller, is hardly what keeps the audience's eyes riveted to the screen. All that truly matters are the 17 musical numbers, all written by Irving Berlin ten were standards, while seven ...
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Overview

Fred Astaire had announced his retirement before the cameras began to roll on Easter Parade, but he decided to accept the film's leading role when its original star Gene Kelly became incapacitated. The thinnish plot, which finds Astaire trying to turn chorus girl Judy Garland into a star in order to show up his former partner Ann Miller, is hardly what keeps the audience's eyes riveted to the screen. All that truly matters are the 17 musical numbers, all written by Irving Berlin ten were standards, while seven were new to this film. Among the many highlights are Astaire's slow-motion version of "Steppin' Out," the Astaire/Garland duet "We're a Couple of Swells," the opening rendition of "Happy Easter," and the closing performance of the title number. So successful was Easter Parade that plans were immediately drawn to reteam Fred Astaire and Judy Garland in The Barkeleys of Broadway; this time, however, it was Garland who withdrew, to be replaced by Astaire's most famous vis-à-vis, Ginger Rogers.
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Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Richard Gilliam
Easter Parade crams seventeen songs into 103 minutes and, even at that, still struggles to find enough plot to fill out its length. Fortunately, the musical numbers are very good, and the wait between them is seldom long enough for the story to become tedious. Stars Judy Garland and Fred Astaire find a strong first-time chemistry, to Irving Berlin's music set to the Oscar-winning adaptation of Roger Edens and Johnny Green. Choreographer Charles Walters nominally performs in the director's chair. He's competent in getting the singing and dancing on film, but, as in much of his work, he shows little interest in the story that surrounds the music. The film maintains a fun, wholesome, upbeat tone and has the classy look common in MGM films of this era.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 5/2/2000
  • UPC: 012569514232
  • Original Release: 1948

    • Rating:

  • Source: WARNER HOME VIDEO
  • Format: VHS

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Judy Garland Hannah Brown
Fred Astaire Don Hewes
Peter Lawford Jonathan Harrow III
Ann Miller Nadine Hale
Jules Munshin Francois, Headwaiter
Clinton Sundberg Mike the Bartender
Jeni Le Gon Essie
Richard Beavers Singer
Lola Albright Hat Model Showgirl
Shirley Ballard Showgirl
Jimmy Bates Boy in "Drum Crazy" Number
Margaret Bert Florist
Peter Chong Sam, valet
Jimmy Dodd Cabby
Fern Eggen Salesgirl
Harry Fox Desk Clerk
Sig Frohlich Callboy
Ruth Hall Showgirl
Helene Heigh Hat Shop Owner
Patricia Jackson Specialty Girl
Bob Jellison Drugstore Customer
Doris Kemper Mary
Joi Lansing Hat Model Showgirl
Nolan Leary Drug Store Clerk
Frank Mayo Headwaiter
Howard Mitchell Drugstore Patron
Robert E. O'Connor Policeman
Albert Pollet Waiter
Jeanne Romer "Delineator" Twin
Lynn Romer "Delineator" Twin
Ralph Sanford Hotel Detective
Dick Simmons Ziegfeld Aide
Dee Turnell Dancer
Benay Venuta Bar Patron
Patricia Walker Showgirl
Wilson Wood Marty, Rehearsal Pianist
Technical Credits
Charles Walters Director, Choreography
Albert Akst Editor
Robert Alton Choreography
Fred Astaire Choreography
Irving Berlin Songwriter
Guy Bolton Screenwriter
Jack Dawn Makeup
Roger Edens Associate Producer, Musical Direction/Supervision
Arthur Freed Producer
Cedric Gibbons Art Director
Frances Goodrich Original Story, Screenwriter
Johnny Green Musical Direction/Supervision
Roger Green Musical Direction/Supervision
Albert Hackett Original Story, Screenwriter
Arthur Krams Set Decoration/Design
Warren Newcombe Special Effects
Sidney Sheldon Screenwriter
Jack Martin Smith Art Director
Harry Stradling Cinematographer
Irene Valles Costumes/Costume Designer
Edwin B. Willis Set Decoration/Design
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 5 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(2)

4 Star

(2)

3 Star

(1)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

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Sort by: Showing all of 5 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Not Just During Easter

    This movie is perhaps the best display of a love triange/square. Fred Astire one of the best hoofers of his generation came out of retiremen to add to the masterpiece of this film. Ann Miller is completely under appreicated for her performance. Her tap danceing skills in the Follies is some of the best I've ever seen. Judy Garland not only shines as a singer and dancing but her acting skills are way above par. This may be her best acted movie of her career. It is a fun film for the whole family. A good movie for any time of the year (don't just during Easter).

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 28, 2004

    a good time feeling movie

    why arent the movies of possibly the greatest performers in cinematic history not on dvd and dont forget anne miller at her usual perfection its a great movie

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    if you want happy

    it has wonderful music, great costumes, and great dance numbers.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 29, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 13, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 5 Customer Reviews