Night of 100 Stars II (1985) - Star of the month... Juliet Prowse

'Night of 100 Stars II' was a 1985 TV variety special which featured approx. 300 stars under the one theatre in a range of songs and sequences.

Many of my favourite stars featured in this special including Lucille Ball, Ginger Rogers, Olivia de Havilland, Lana Turner, Juliet Prowse, Van Johnson, Janet Leigh, Bernadette Peters, Raquel Welch, Lynda Carter, Leslie Uggams, Petula Clark, Ann-Margret, Anne Baxter, Marisa Berenson, Yul Brynner, Carol Burnett, Michael Caine, Marge Champion, Dyan Cannon, Carol Channing, Joan Collins, Lena Horne, Rock Hudson, James Earl Jones, James Stewart, Danny Kaye, Linda Lavin, Donald O'Connor, Laurence Olivier, Sidney Poitier, Jane Powell, Vincent Price, Esther Williams & the Muppets.

I wasn't able to find footage to the entire 3 hour TV special, but was able to find a lot of it on YouTube. Highlights I was able to find are outlined below, with each of the stars featured, as well as the number assigned to them in parenthesis.

Opening: New York medley
* "This is a Star" - The Rockettes (#2) with a young Drew Barrymore (#3)
* "New York, New York (Instrumental)" - Leonard Bernstein (#4)
* "Arthur's Theme" - Peter Allen (#5)
* "Manhattan" - Ashford & Simpson (#6)
* "Every Street's a Boulevard (In Old New York)" - Placido Domingo (#8) (with Marisa Berenson (#9), Maureen Stapleton (#7), Deborah Raffin (#10))
* "This is my Home Town" - Robert Klein (#11)
* "New York, New York" - Lucie Arnaz (#12)
* "42nd Street" - Jerry Orbach (#13)
* "Take the 'A' Train" - Leslie Uggams (#14)
* "42nd Street (Reprise" - Robert Klein, Lucie Arnaz, Jerry Orbach & Leslie Uggams
* "Uptown" - Melba Moore (#15)
* "Downtown" - Petula Clark (#16)
* "How About You"- Carol Channing (#17) & Big Bird (#18)
* "Autumn in New York" - Dinah Shore (#19)
* "On Broadway" - Patti LaBelle (#20)
* "New York City Rhythm" - Jennifer Holliday (#21)
* "The Jet Song" - Joe Nameth (#22)

* "New York City Rhythm (Reprise)" - Jennifer Holliday, Patti LaBelle, Peter Allen & Joe Nameth

* "Theme from New York, New York" - Kermit the Frog (#24) with The Muppets (#23) (Fozzie Bear, The Count, Grover, Tully Monster, Oscar the Grouch, Bert, Ernie, Janice, Sgt. Floyd Pepper, Dr. Teeth, Scooter, Rowlf, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew, Beaker, Swedish Chef, Gonzo, Uncle Travellin' Matt, Statler, Waldorf & Barkley)

* "New York State of Mind" - Ensemble

TV Stars in "TV is a Circus"
TV legend Lucille Ball (#25) delivers an introduction on television, followed by our three celebrity ring masters Hal Linden (#26), Michelle Lee (#27), Nancy Dussault (#28) singing "TV is a Circus", and introducing: Nell Carter (#29), Tony Danza (#30), Harry Anderson (#31), Gary Coleman (#32), Soleil Moon Frye (#33), James Noble (#34), Inga Swenson (#35), Dick Clark (#36), Charlotte Rae (#37), Michael J. Fox (#38), Meredith Baxter Birney (#39), Scott Baio (#40), Tempestt Bledsoe (#41), Lisa Bonet (#42), Keshia Knight Pulliam (#43), Malcolm-Jamal Warner (#44), Gavin MacLeod (#45), Marla Gibbs (#46), Bob Newhart (#47), Emmanuel Lewis (#48), Tyne Daly (#49), Heather Thomas (#50), Doug Barr (#51), Pierce Brosnan (#52), Stephanie Zimbalist (#53), Jameson Parker (#54), David Hasselhoff (#55), Lee Horsley (#56), Kate Jackson (#57), Daniel Hugh-Kelly (#58), William Shatner (#59), Rex Smith (#60), Perry King (#61), Pernell Roberts (#62), William Daniels (#63), Jack Palance (#64), Tony Franciosa (#65), Rene Enriquez (#66), Bruce Weitz (#67), Joe Spano (#68), Betty Thomas (#69), Jennifer O'Neill (#70), Linda Gray (#71), Lorenzo Lamas (#72), John Forsythe, Linda Evans (#73), Joan Collins (#74), Diahann Carroll (#75), Julie Harris (#76), Lisa Hartman (#77), Joan Van Ark (#78), Donna Mills (#79), Anne Baxter (#80),


The Red Shoes
Dick Van Dyke delivers an introduction and sings a song before we get the biggest star studded chorus of line of dancers the world has ever seen...
* Gregory Hines (#88), Hinton Battle (#89), Lee Roy Reams (#90), Victor Griffin (#91) & Gregg Burge (#92)
* Georgia Engel (#93) & Elaine Joyce (#94), Beth Howland (#95), Bonnie Franklin (#96), Marge Champion (#97), Nanette Fabray (#98), Christopher Walken (#99)
* Cynthia Gregory (#100) & Alexander Godunov (#101)
* Sandy Duncan (#102), Don Correia (#103), Jane Powell (#104) &Van Johnson (#105)
* Alfonso Ribeiro (#106)
* Gwen Verdon (#107), Charles 'Honi' Coles (#108), Juliet Prowse (#109), Maurice Hines (#110), Chita Riveira (#111), Donny Osmond (#112), Debbie Allen (#113), Donald O'Connor (#114) &  Ginger Rogers (#115)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g5jqV1w-j0

The Fearless Females of the Silent Screen
Bernadette Peters (#157) introduces the great silent screen legends:
* Billie Dove (#158)
* Laura LaPlante (#159)
* Leatrice Joy (#160)
* Lillian Gish (#161)


Salute to the Great Stars of Film
Bernadette Peters presents the following Great Stars of Film...
* Dustin Hoffman (#162)
* Lana Turner (#163)
* Robert Preston (#164)
* Sidney Poitier (#165)
* Olivia de Havilland (#166)
* Robert de Niro (#167)
* Danny Kaye (#168)
* Laurence Olivier (#169)

Fashion Show
An all-star 1980s fashion show with an introduction by Joan Collins and featuring on the runway... Shari Belafonte-Harper (#170), Gregory Harrison (#171), Ali MacGraw (#172), Tony Roberts (#173), Florence Henderson (#174), Treat Williams (#175), Valerie Bertinelli (#176), Lynn Swann (#177), Alan Flusser (#178), Cathy Lee Crosby (#179), Georg Stanford Brown (#180), Heather Locklear (#181), David Birney (#182), Lee Wright (#183), Brooke Shields (#184), Michael Ives (#185), Morgan Fairchild (#186), Teri Garr (#187), Dyan Cannon (#188), Ellen Burstyn (#189), Cristina Ferrare (#190), Colleen DewHurst (#191), Morgan Brittany (#192), Susan Lucci (#193), Jill St. John (#194), Cynthia Sikes (#195), Mary McFadden (#196), Janet Leigh (#197), Jacqueline Bisset (#198), Jaclyn Smith (#199), Deidre Hall (#200), Jane Seymour (#201), Caroline Herrera (#202), Joan Van Ark, Gloria Loring (#203), Donna Mills, Lisa Hartman, Lynda Carter (#204), Jacqueline de Ribes (#205), Diahann Carroll, Linda Evans, Claudia Cardinale (#206), Priscilla Presley (#207), Linda Grey, Raquel Welch (#208), Angie Dickinson (#209), Laura Branigan (#210), Michaele Vollbracht (#211), Tracy Mills (#212), Fabrice (#213), Geoffrey Beene (#214), Carole Little (#215), Halston (#216), Fernando Sanchez (#217), Bob Mackie (#218), Albert Capraro (#219), Oleg Cassini (#220), The Emanuels (#221), Ann-Margret (#222)

Ziegfeld Follies (1945) - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

"Here's to the beautiful ladies, here's to those wonderful girls... Adele's and Molly's, Lucille's and Polly's, you'll find them all in the Ziegfeld Follies... this is the mixture to start the picture, so bring on the beautiful girls..." - Fred Astaire (as himself in 'Ziegfeld Follies')

'Ziegfeld Follies' is the 1945 MGM musical extravaganza celebrating the Florenz Ziegfeld's 'Ziegfeld Follies'.

The film features a cavalcade of MGM musical talent in special guest apperances, including Fred Astaire, Lucille Ball, Marion Bell, Lucille Bremer, Fanny Brice, Cyd Charisse, Hume Cronyn, William Frawley, Judy Garland, Kathryn Grayson, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly, James Melton, Victor Moore, Virginia O'Brien, Red Skelton, Esther Williams, Keenan Wynn and William Powell repising his role as the great Florenz Ziegfeld.

With the exception of the opening scene, the film does not have a plot as such, as consists of a series of song, dance and comedy segments.

I have structured my blog post in the same way as the film, by discussion each of the segments individually. I have also managed to locate many of the segments on YouTube, should you wish to watch as you read.

But first I'd like to give you some context on the 'Ziegfeld Follies'?

The Ziegfeld Follies

Inspired by the Folies Bergeres of Paris, the Ziegfeld Follies were a series of elaborate musical productions conceived by Broadway producer Florenz Ziegfeld and presented on Broadway in New York City from 1907 to 1931.

Many of the dominant entertainers of the time period appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies at some point, including Fanny Brice, Sophie Tucker, Eddie Cantor, W.C. Fields, Josephine Baker, Will Rogers, Ruth Etting, Ray Bolger, Helen Morgan, Marilyn Miller, Ed Wynn and Gilda Gray.

The Ziegfeld Follies were also famous for the beautiful chorus girls, known as Ziegfeld Girls. Another film called 'Ziegfeld Girl' was produced in 1941, and gave insight into what it meant to be a Ziegfeld Girl.

William Powell as The Great Ziegfeld

Florenz Ziegfeld in Heaven

The film opens with Florenz Ziegfeld (played by Powell) in heaven, remembering Broadway of 1907. His memories are presented in animation, with animated likenesses of Ziegfeld stars including Marilyn Miller, Fanny Brice, Will Rogers and Eddie Cantor.

Whilst in heaven, Ziegfeld decides to create one more Ziegfeld Follies...

"Here's to the Girls / Bring on the Wonderful Men" - Fred Astaire & Virginia O'Brien (with Lucille Ball & Cyd Charisse) 

Lucille Ball tames a pack of cat women
with a whip

Ziegfeld decides to open the Follies with a pink number, introduced by his dear friend Fred Astaire.
Astaire sings 'Here's to the Girl', which includes a dance speciality by Cyd Charisse and an interlude with Lucille Ball taming a pack of cat ladies with a whip.

Cyd Charisse in a pink tutu

Lucille Ball tames a pack of cat ladies while
Cyd Charisse dances

The sequence concludes with Virginia O'Brien biting back with 'Bring on the Wonderful Men'.

Song: "Here's to the Girls" - Fred Astaire (with Lucille Ball & Cyd Charisse)

Song: "Bring On the Wonderful Men" - Virginia O'Brien

"A Water Ballet" - Esther Williams

The beautiful Esther Williams floats at the top of her pool

No MGM musical of the 1940s would be complete without an underwater ballet sequence from the million dollar mermaid, Esther Williams.

Not one of Williams' best or most elaborate underwater ballets, but still entertaining.








Song: "A Water Ballet" - Esther Williams

"Number Please?" - Keenan Wynn

Some comic relief is provided with Kennan Wynn has some difficulty with a telephone operator in 'Number Please'. By the end of this short sketch, Wynn is driven to the brink of sanity.

Clip: "Number Please" - Keenan Wynn

"Traviata" - James Melton & Marion Bell

James Melton and Marion Bell star as Alfredo and Violetta, as they sing excerpts from 'La Traviata in an elaborate costume musical production number. Although Melton and Bell both have fine singing voices, they were relatively unknowns and did not make many films. Had this film been made a few later, I am certain this sequence would have featured Mario Lanza and Kathryn Grayson.  Although Grayson appears in 'Ziegfeld Follies', Lanza had not yet become known.

Song: "Traviata" - James Melton & Marion Bell

"Pay the Two Dollars" - Victor Moore & Edward Arnold

After Victor Moore is fined $2, he wants his lawyer Edward Arnold to pay the two dollars, to prevent him going to jail. Below average comedy sketch has its funny moments, but overall is too long.

"This Heart of Mine: A Dance Story" - Fred Astaire & Lucille Bremer

Fred Astaire returns, this time paired with Lucille Bremer. Fred serenades Bremer, before leading her in an extravagant ballet sequence. The choreography features rotating floors, concealed treadmills and swirling dance motifs.

Song: "This Heart of Mine" - Fred Astaire & Lucille Bremer

"A Sweepstakes Ticket" - Fanny Brice, Hume Cronyn & William Frawley

Norma (Fanny Brice) will stop at nothing to get the
winning ticket back from Mr. Martin (William Frawley)

Hilarious comedy sketch where Norma (played by Brice) wins A Sweepstakes Ticket, however
her husband Monty (played by Cronyn) has given it to the landlord Mr. Martin (played by Frawley). In a desperate plight to get the winning ticket back,  Norma and Monty discover honesty is the best policy.
Fanny Brice is as hilarious as ever as Norma. For me, this is the non-musical highlight of the film.







Clip: "A Sweepstakes Ticket" - Fanny Brice, Hume Cronyn & William Frawley

Lena Horne sings

"Love" - Lena Horne

The beautiful Lena Horne appears and sings her rendition of the Hugh Martin-Ralph Blaine standard "Love".

Red Skelton shows us whats happens when
television comes

"When Television Comes" - Red Skelton

Rubber faced Red Skelton shows us what happens when television comes in a hilarious comic sketch.














Clip: "When Television Comes" - Red Skelton

"Limehouse Blues" - Fred Astaire & Lucille Bremer

Fred Astaire & Lucille Bremer are back with a dramatic pantomime called "Limehouse Blues".
Tai Long (played by Astaire), a Chinese labourer is infatuated with Moy Ling (played by Bremer).


Song: "Limehouse Blues" - Fred Astaire & Lucille Bremer

"A Great Lady Has an Interview" - Judy Garland

One of my favourite images of Judy Garland

One of two musical highlights from the film. Judy Garland plays a Great Lady, who is typecast in dramatic Oscar winning roles and just happens to have an interview. During the interview she reveals her desire to "sexy" roles, and her next film, a biography on Madame Cremantante, inventor of the safety pin.

This was written by Kay Thompson, originally for Greer Garson, who turned it down. The sequence was also originally meant to be directed by Charles Water, however Vincente Minnelli (who was dating Garland at the time), ended up directing it. Walters remained as choreographer.

This features one of my favourite images of Judy Garland, where she rubs her scarf under her chin and neck.

Song: "A Great Lady Has an Interview" - Judy Garland

"The Babbitt & the Bromide" - Fred Astaire & Gene Kelly

Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly's first and only appearance together in a film (until the documentary film 'That's Entertainment Part II' in 1976). The challenge dance routine was choreographed by both Kelly & Astaire - this is the other musical highlight in the film.

Song: "The Babbitt & the Bromide" - Fred Astaire & Gene Kelly

"Beauty" - Kathryn Grayson (with Cyd Charisse)

Kathryn Grayson sings "Beauty" in the finale

This was originally meant to be sung by tenor James Melton and filmed as a ballet with Fred Astaire, Lucille Bremer and Cyd Charisse dancing through a maze of soap bubbles. Due to a malfunction with the bubble machine, only a small amount of footage featuring Cyd Charisse was used in the final film. It was also decided to replace Melton with Kathryn Grayson.

Closing remarks

'Ziegfeld Follies' is an amazing and extravagant musical experience. When I think about the MGM musical, and why they were so popular and fantastic, the first thing that springs to mind is 'Ziegfeld Follies'.

The film embodies all the characteristics which made MGM musicals so unique...

• the signature MGM musical stars: Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire and Esther Williams
• directed by the great Vincente Minnelli
• the sparkling glamour of the lavish sets and costumes
• the images filmed in dazzling Technicolor
• the beautiful chorus girls

'Ziegfeld Follies' is among one of my favourite films, and recently inspired Kylie Minogue's 2011 tour 'Aphrodite: Les Follies', which features a number of references to this film. 

Thousand's Cheer - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

"You're confection, goodness knows... You're my honeysuckle rose.." - Lena Horne (as herself in 'Thousands Cheer')

The beautiful Lena Horne sings "Honeysuckle Rose"

'Thousands Cheer' is a 1943 MGM musical directed by George Sidney and starring Kathryn Grayson, Gene Kelly, Mary Astor, John Boles and Jose Iturbi.  Many MGM stars make guest appearances in the film including: Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Lucille Ball, June Allyson, Mickey Rooney, Ann Sothern, Red Skelton, Eleanor Powell, Frank Morgan, Virginia O'Brien, Gloria deHaven, Donna Reed, Margaret O'Brien, Marsha Hunt, Marilyn Maxwell and many more.



The film was produced as a morale booster for World War II soldiers and their families. It was the perfect opportunity for MGM to showcase two of it's newest stars Gene Kelly and Kathryn Grayson in a big budget musical featuring guest appearances by many established stars.

'Thousands Cheer' begins as Kathryn Jones (played by Grayson) leaves Jose Iturbi's orchestra due to her military father, Colonel Bill Jones (played by Boles) being transferred. Whilst on the train, she meets Private Eddie Marsh (played by Kelly), a former trapeze artist drafted into the US Army. An attempt to reunite her separated parents backfires when her mother, Hyllary Jones (played by Astor) does not approve of Kathryn courting a soldier.  The second storyline is the film is the preparation of a live variety show for soldiers to feature a cavalcade of MGM stars.


Hosted by Mickey Rooney, the variety show features the following program:

• "Boogie Woogie" - Eleanor Powell
• "In a Little Spanish Town" - Virginia O'Brien with June Allyson and Gloria deHaven
• Comedy sketch with Frank Morgan, Lucille Ball, Ann Sothern and Sara Haden
• "I Dug a Ditch in Wichita/Should I?" - Kay Kyser Orchestra
• "Tico Tico" - Maxine Barrat and Don Loper
• "Honeysuckle Rose" - Lena Horne
• Comedy sketch with Red Skelton, Marilyn Maxwell, Donna Reed and Margaret O'Brien
• "The Joint is Really Jumping Down at Carnegie Hall" - Judy Garland (with Jose Iturbi)

Musical highlights

Song: "The Joint is Really Jumpin' Down at Carnegie Hall" - Judy Garland

Song: "Honeysuckle Rose" - Lena Horne

Song: "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" - Gene Kelly (dancing with a mop)

Song: "Boogie Woogie" - Eleanor Powell

Song: "A Little Spanish Town" - Virginia O'Brien, June Allyson and Gloria deHaven

Did you know...

• This was bandleader Jose Iturbi's first film appearance
• This was both Gene Kelly and Eleanor Powell's first colour film
• Cyd Charisse is featured as a dancer in the "Tico Tico" number
• Eleanor Powell's "Boogie Woogie" number was originally filmed for 'Broadway Melody of 1943', which was abandoned before it was completed - the film was to costar Gene Kelly
• The sequence where Gene Kelly dances with a map was the first time he choreographed a dance number in one of his films

Award nominations

• Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography
• Academy Award nomination for Best Score
• Academy Award nomination for Best Art Direction

Closing remarks

Overall, a weak musical with a thin plot and forgettable musical numbers. The first 70 minutes are slow, with the film picking up during the variety show segment. The most memorable part of the film is seeing Gene Kelly dance with a mop (literally). That said, there are a few musical highlight's including Lena Horne's "Honeysuckle Rose", Judy Garland's "The Joint is Really Jumping Down in Carnegie Hall" and Kathryn Grayson's rendition of "Sempre Libera" from 'La Traviata'.

DuBarry was a Lady (1943) - Star of the month... Gene Kelly

"...and if Lana Turner doesn't set your brain a whirl, then you don't love an Esquire girl..." - Red Skelton (as Louis Blore in 'DuBarry Was A Lady')

Lana Turner winks at the audience during her
brief walk on appearance as herself

DuBarry Was A Lady is a 1943 MGM musical starring Lucille Ball, Red Skelton and Gene Kelly. It is based on the 1939 Broadway musical.  Directed by Roy Del Ruth and produced by Arthur Freed, the supporting cast features Virginia O'Brien, Rags Ragland, Zero Mostel, Donald Meek and Tommy Dorsey with his Orchestra. If you look closely you will see a young Buddy Rich as the drummer in Dorsey's Orchestra, and a very quick walk on appearance by Lana Turner.

Lucille Ball as Madame DuBarry during Louis'
dream sequence

Louis Blore (played by Skelton) and Alec Howe (played by Kelly) are both in love with vaudeville performer May Daly. Louis' friend Charlie (played by Ragland) suggests Louis slips Alec a Mickey Finn. In a moment of confusion, Louis unintentionally drinks the Mickey Finn, and dreams he is King Louis XV of France, with May as Madame DuBarry and Alec as The Black Arrow.

Although based on the Broadway show, the film version has quite a few differences. Firstly, very few of Cole Porter's songs from the original show are included. Many of the character names were changed, and some new characters were added. The dream sequence was delayed a lot longer in the film, with the first half of the film becoming a sort of a vaudeville revue.

Musical highlights

Lucille Ball first died her hair red for this film

The film version uses very little of the original songs from the show - unfortunately one casualty was "Well, Did You Evah?", which was later used in the MGM film 'High Society' (1956).

Three musical highlights in this film include "DuBarry Was A Lady", "I Love An Esquire Girl" and the Cole Porter standard "Friendship".

Lucille Ball's singing voice was dubbed by Martha Mears for most of her songs, but her real voice can be heard in "Friendship".

Song: "Friendship" - Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly, Red Skelton and Virginia O'Brien

Song: "DuBarry Was A Lady" - Lucille Ball (dubbed by Martha Mears)

Did you know...

• Lucille Ball first dyed her natural brunette hair it's trademark red for this film

Closing remarks

Lucille Ball is one of her most glamourous roles is unfortunately not as great or funny as she usually is in this film. I don't think she was quite right for this role, as I find she doesn't have the command, assertiveness or the nastiness to play May or Madame DuBarry.

Overall the film is very slow and barely watchable. In my opinion this is one of MGMs weaker musicals... even with Gene Kelly, Lucille Ball and Red Skelton. 

DuBarry Was A Lady (1943)

Spotlight on... Royalty on Film

"...and if Lana Turner doesn't set your brain a whirl, then you don't love an Esquire girl..."

Lana Turner winks at the audience during her
brief walk on appearance as herself

DuBarry Was A Lady is a 1943 MGM musical starring Lucille Ball, Red Skelton and Gene Kelly. It is based on the 1939 Broadway musical.  Directed by Roy Del Ruth and produced by Arthur Freed, the supporting cast features Virginia O'Brien, Rags Ragland, Zero Mostel, Donald Meek and Tommy Dorsey with his Orchestra. If you look closely you will see a young Buddy Rich as the drummer in Dorsey's Orchestra, and a very quick walk on appearance by Lana Turner.

Lucille Ball as Madame DuBarry during Louis'
dream sequence

Louis Blore (played by Skelton) and Alec Howe (played by Kelly) are both in love with vaudeville performer May Daly. Louis' friend Charlie (played by Ragland) suggests Louis slips Alec a Mickey Finn. In a moment of confusion, Louis unintentionally drinks the Mickey Finn, and dreams he is King Louis XV of France, with May as Madame DuBarry and Alec as The Black Arrow.






Although based on the Broadway show, the film version has quite a few differences. Firstly, very few of Cole Porter's songs from the original show are included. Many of the character names were changed, and some new characters were added. The dream sequence was delayed a lot longer in the film, with the first half of the film becoming a sort of a vaudeville revue.

Musical highlights

Lucille Ball first died her hair red for this film

The film version uses very little of the original songs from the show - unfortunately one casualty was "Well, Did You Evah?", which was later used in the MGM film 'High Society' (1956).


Three musical highlights in this film include "DuBarry Was A Lady", "I Love An Esquire Girl" and the Cole Porter standard "Friendship".


Lucille Ball's singing voice was dubbed by Martha Mears for most of her songs, but her real voice can be heard in "Friendship".


Song: "Friendship" - Lucille Ball, Gene Kelly, Red Skelton and Virginia O'Brien

Song: "DuBarry Was A Lady" - Lucille Ball (dubbed by Martha Mears)

Did you know...

• Lucille Ball first dyed her natural brunette hair it's trademark red for this film

Closing remarks

Lucille Ball is one of her most glamourous roles is unfortunately not as great or funny as she usually is in this film. I don't think she was quite right for this role, as I find she doesn't have the command, assertiveness or the nastiness to play May or Madame DuBarry.


Overall the film is very slow and barely watchable. In my opinion this is one of MGMs weaker musicals... even with Gene Kelly, Lucille Ball and Red Skelton.