'The Reluctant Debutante' is a 1958 comedy directed by Vincent Minnelli and starring Rex Harrison, Kay Kendall, Angela Lansbury, John Saxon, Sandra Dee, Peter Myers and Diane Clare. The film's screenplay is by Julius J. Epstein. The film was later remade as "What a Girl Wants" (2003) with Amanda Bynes. The film is set in London, 1958. 17 year old Jane Broadbent (played by Dee) arrives in London to live with her wealthy father Jimmy Broadbent (played by Harrison) and her stepmother Sheila Broadbent (played by Kendall). In order to compete with her "second cousin twice removed, and twice isn't far enough", Mabel Claremont (played by Lansbury), Sheila is determined to give Jane a coming out party to make her debut. Along the way, Jane falls in love with drummer David Parkson (played by Saxon), whom Sheila disapproves. Watch the trailer:
Musical program
The musical score features memorable MGM songs including "The Boy Next Door", "Easy to Love", "You Are My Lucky Star", "Love" and "How About You?". The contemporary "Rock Around the Clock" also makes an appearance.
Did you know...
This film was shot in Paris, as Rex Harrison was experiencing tax problems and was unable to stay in the US or the UK
This was the 12th most popular movie at the British box office in 1959
Closing remarks
Not a bad film but in comparison to the rest of Vincente Minnelli's body of work, this is somewhat a disappointment. That said, Angela Lansbury steals the show as the stuck up and snobby Mabel Claremont. Lansbury and Kendall play an amusing game of keeping up with the Joneses as their characters attempt to outdo each other throughout the film. Real life husband and wife Harrison and Kendall also make a great pair. Overall a below average, yet very predictable romantic comedy.
"Elizabeth Taylor: An Intimate Portrait" (aka: "Elizabeth Taylor: Hollywood's Child") is a 1975 documentary based on the life and career of Elizabeth Taylor. Narrated and hosted by actor Peter Lawford, the documentary features clips and highlights from many of Elizabeth Taylor's classic films, as well as interview footage from those who knew her best... her mother, her co-stars, her friends. The documentary features the following highlights:
actor and friend Rock Hudson talking about the making of "Giant" (1956)
Sarah Taylor (her mother) gives a very rare interview and talks about Elizabeth's childhood and how she first got started in film
director Richard Brooks talks about the making of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" (1958), and the tragic death of Mike Todd
footage of Elizabeth Taylor winning her Oscar for "Butterfield 8" (1960), the film she hated
actor and friend Roddy McDowall talks about making "Lassie Come Home" (1943), "Cleopatra" (1963) and their life long friendship
costume designer Helen Rose talks about the costumes she designed for Elizabeth Taylor
producer Sam Marx talks about how he came to discover the child Elizabeth Taylor and cast her in "Lassie Come Home" (1943)
Vincente Minnelli talks about directing Elizabeth Taylor in "Father of the Bride" (1950) and "The Sandpiper" (1965)
Closing remarks
I have seen quite a few documentaries on Elizabeth Taylor, and I must say this is the best I have seen. What I like most about this particular documentary is the way in which it treats it's subject with the respect she deserves. We are also treated to some candid and intimate interview moments with Elizabeth Taylor's inner circle of friends. The only disappointing thing about the documentary, is that it did not feature an interview with Elizabeth Taylor herself.
"Don't call me pure soul... It irritates me!" - Judy Garland (as Manuela Alva in 'The Pirate') 'The Pirate' is a 1948 MGM musical directed by Vincente Minelli and starring Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Gladys Cooper, Walter Slezak, Gladys Cooper, Reginald Owen, George Zucco and the Nicholas Brothers. The film's screenplay was written by Frances Goodrich, based on the 1942 play by S.N. Behrman, and features original Cole Porter songs. Watch the trailer:
Manuela Alva (played by Garland) is infatuated with the legemdary pirate, Mack "the Black" Macoco. Meanwhile, her Aunt Inez (played by Cooper) has just arranged Manuela's marriage to the town mayor, Don Pedro (played by Slezak). Serafin (played by Kelly) is a travelling performer, and after shortly after meeting Manuela, pretends to be Mack "the Black" Macoco in an attempt to win her affections. Things are complicated once Serafin (believed to be Macoco) is arrested and sentenced for executed. Clip - Watch my favourite scene from the film... Manuela goes crazy!
Musical program
The film features a number of Cole Porter songs, written especially for the film.
These include:
Gene Kelly & the Nicholas Brothers
Opening Titles: Mack the Black - MGM Chorus
Nina - Gene Kelly
Mack the Black - Gene Kelly
You Can Do No Wrong - Judy Garland
The Pirate Ballet - Gene Kelly
Be A Clown - Gene Kelly (with the Nicholas Brothers)
Love Of My Life - Judy Garland
Be A Clown (Reprise) - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland
Song: "Be A Clown" (Reprise) - Gene Kelly & Judy Garland
Song: "Mack the Black" - Judy Garland
Song: "You Can Do No Wrong" - Judy Garland
Song: "Be A Clown" - Gene Kelly (with the Nicholas Brothers)
Song: "The Pirate Ballet" - Gene Kelly
Song: "Nina" - Gene Kelly
Deleted musical numbers
Gene Kelly & Judy Garland in 'Be A Clown'
Three musical sequences were deleted from the final film:
'Mack the Black' was originally a longer song with additional lyrics
'Love of my Life' was originally performed twice in the film - the first rendition was deleted
Gene & Judy performed a song called "Voodoo" - the torrid romance in the song outraged MGM boss Louis B. Mayer so much that he demanded the negative be burned... the sequence is still lost today
Did you know...
Judy Garland as Manuela sings "Mack the Black"
The "Be A Clown" sequence with the Nicholas Brothers was originally cut from screenings in the American South, such as Memphis, because the Nicholas Brothers were African American performers
Gene Kelly fought to have the Nicholas Brothers featured in the film
Judy Garland's addiction to prescription drugs caused her to be absent from 99 of the 135 filming days
The film lost $2million for MGM due it's box office failure
During filming Gene Kelly helped to invent a device which allowed the bulky Technicolor camera to shoot from low angles
The film was originally to star Cary Grant & Greer Garson - after these plans fell through it was turned into a musical
Cole Porter only agreed to write the songs for this film on the condition the pirates name be changed from Estramundo to Macoco - Macoco was the name of a friend of Porter's who was nicknamed Mack the Black
Features the film debut of Lola Albright
Lena Horne was originally to star in the film as a Caribbean dressmaker, however the character was cut from the film
During the filming of this film Judy Garland smoked four packs of cigarettes a day
Judy Garland gives Gene Kelly a spanking
This was the second of three films Judy Garland & Gene Kelly filmed together
Award nominations
Academy Award nomination for Best Original Music Score
Closing remarks
Gene Kelly in the Pirate Ballet
'The Pirate' is a swashbuckling romantic musical adventure starring MGM's two most iconic stars. The toe-tapping Cole Porter songs are great, the dance sequences brilliant, and Judy and Gene bring down the house. Gene Kelly's dances are a feast for the eyes and ears, especially the ingenious "Pirate Ballet" sequence. Other musical highlights include Judy's inspiring performance of "Mack the Black" and both versions of "Be A Clown", Despite it's poor box office failure, 'The Pirate' is a film I like very much. With it's lavish costumes and tropical set, 'The Pirate' is a colourful carnival on the Caribbean you're unlikely to forget in a hurry.
