Easter Parade (1948)
Easter Parade (1948)Directed by: Charles Walters
Cast Includes:
Judy Garland .... Hannah Brown
Fred Astaire .... Don Hewes
Peter Lawford .... Jonathan Harrow III
Ann Miller .... Nadine Hale
Easter Parade was one of those wonderful MGM musicals that came out during the 1940s. I forgot about easter until i saw this movie on TV .. (about that ... why did CBC cut into commercials during a dance sequence?? granted it was *almost* over but still!) So why is this film a classic? Well ..this was the only movie that Garland and Astaire made together and it was truly a treat to watch. Astaire wasn't suppose to star in this one, as Gene Kelly was scheduled to play Don but he broke his ankle before production .. and hence providing us with this rare but wonderful pairing! Already, the first dance sequence with Astaire and the drums started the show with a bang. Afterwards, there was Garland and her wonderful voice singing "I Want to Go Back to Michigan". Lawford also made contributions with "A Fella with an Umbrella" and Ann Miller with "Shakin' the Blues Away". Ann Miller was an extraordinary dancer, her dance sequence to shakin the blues away was really memorable. Still, the movie belonged to Judy Garland. It showcased her singing talents as well as her tap dancing abilities. The sequence of "A Couple of Swells" was great and frankly, not a lot of female leads back then would attempt to make themselves ugly for laughs but Garland did and it really worked too as i think it fitted her personality. FYI - the plot: Don (Astaire) and Nadine (Miller) were a dance team until Nadine decided to go solo. Don, who is in love with Nadine, found a new partner in Hannah (Garland). Hannah also meets Johnathan (Lawford) and Johnathan likes Hannah .. but Hannah likes Don but Don is still in love with Nadine (there's a love SQAURE for you!). Then of course there were the mishaps in their early partnership and the need to find 'gigs'. In the end, all is well and Garland gets her man (the song,"Easter Parade", is still stuck in my head)!
9/10 - definately one of the best easter movie (and one without relating to the bible or easter bunnies!) I felt bad for the Johnathan character .. but he appeared to be a sleeze anyways and shouldn't be too difficult for him to move on :P
posted by Dairy Fairy @ 4:00 p.m.
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