Jane Powell's first starring role
Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 05/31/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Fans of the gorgeous Jane Powell will be the ones who'll most enjoy this 1945 musical gem from 'Poverty Row' movie studio Astor Pictures/Hunt Stromberg Productions. It was Jane Powell's first starring role in a movie, and her promising talent is evident for all to see here.
Powell plays aspiring music student Sherry Williams, who idolizes her older sister Josephine (Constance Moore), a big musical comedy star. After being encouraged by visiting Broadway producer Arthur Hale (Ralph Bellamy), Sherry plucks up enough courage to visit her sister in the city, and ask about starting in showbusiness. Imagine her shock when she discovers that Josephine earns her money as burlesque cutie-patootie "Bubbles Barton"... Sherry decides to get Josephine out of the burlesque scene by having Arthur bankroll a musical for them both to star in.
There's a fun role for the ever-reliable Arthur Treacher as the trusty butler Jeffers; and the cast also features Louise Beavers and Ruth Tobey.
Here in her very first movie musical, Jane Powell displays the pert, easygoing nature that would endear her to a generation of moviegoers. There are some snappy musical numbers arranged and performed by the Morton Gould Orchestra ("In a Shower of Stars", "Once Upon a Song", "Through Your Eyes...To Your Heart", "I'm Only Teasin'"). The following year, Powell would sign a contract with M-G-M and go on to star in a series of legendary movie musicals that are still being enjoyed today ("Two Weeks with Love", "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", "Royal Wedding").
DELIGHTFULLY DANGEROUS is a very popular and frequent title on the Public Domain video circuit. This current edition from Alpha Video Classics features a sharp print with good contrast and deep black levels. The mono sound-mix is distorted and harsh in some parts but the dialogue is easily heard.
(Single-sided, single-layer disc)"