Words and Music

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Words and Music

Larry Hart (Mickey Rooney) is an energetic songwriter. Herb Fields brings in Richard Rodgers to play his song and becomes his writing partner. The movie is told through Rodgers' eyes. Hart is taken with singer Peggy Lorgan McNeil. Fields gains some success and brings in his friends for a new Broadway show. Rodgers proposes to older leading actress Joyce Harmon but she turns him down. This is a fictionalized account of the music writing duo. The real story is nowhere to be found and shouldn't be expected especially during that era. It does feel scattered following both guys. Tom Drake doesn't have quite the charisma. Rooney and Garland have a final pairing. It's old fashion including the musical performances. At least, it has the songs. It's old fashion in many different ways.

Just like Till the Clouds Roll By, this is a fictional biography of the song writing team of Rodgers & Hart. the musical numbers are worth the rental When this film was made.They could not say that Lorenz Hart---Mickey Rooney's character was gay. so they made in a remorseful drunk. Tom Drake was a very limp Richard Rodgers. Odd note is the scene with Mickey & Judy Garland (she played herself & the song they sang was written many many years earlier, granted most people would catch that, BUT movie buffs sure would. I was 20 at the time. The ending of this film, you will seem made up by Hollywood writers. Sorry to disappoint you,. I verified this right after seeing film by going to the microfisch at the New York Daily News. I was very surprised to find that what seemed like a corn ball Hollywood ending was nearly 90% true. as unbelievable as it looks on screen, it is accurate. For those who have not seen this, I will not spoil it for you as always Jay Harris

Another old movie from my garage vaults; one I always loved because of the great music and so many MGM stars. The loosely based biography of both Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart. They were a great pair. Rogers wrote the music and Hart did the sometimes crazy lyrics Tom Drake plays Rogers, and Mickey Rooney plays Hart. The big numbers in this were by June Allison in "Thou Swell"; Judy Garland's "Johnny One-Note"; Judy and Mickey doing "I'll Take Manhattan"; Mel Torme's "Blue Moon", and many others. I believe this film was one of Perry Como's and Mel Torme's first. The story may seem like a hodgepodge of great talent, but who cares the music is wonderful! How could anyone not love Judy Garland or June Allison? 7/10

The high score I've given this is purely for the musical numbers - 'On Your Toes', 'There's a Small Hotel', 'Johnny One Note', 'I Wish I Were In Love Again', 'On Your Toes', 'Blue Moon', 'A Blue Room', 'Mountain Greenery', and best of all, the dance sequence to 'Slaughter on 10th Avenue'. Performers showcased in this movie include Judy Garland, Perry Como, June Allyson, Betty Garrett, Cyd Charisse, Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen, who are all great. As Rodgers and Hart themselves, Tom Drake (a bit colourless) and Mickey Rooney (a bit manic) are passable, but the story has little to do with the reality of their lives. As a biopic, then, this film is laughable. But as a musical showcase, it works well.

For years, I read again and again that this movie would disappoint me, that it was a waste of talent, that it was badly fictionalized, et cetera. What a load of hooey! The dialog is crisp and rings true, the musical numbers are full to the brim with pep and style, and the performances are nothing short of masterful! If you like music, Broadway, and old-fashioned musical brilliance, then this is the movie for you. I hate to sound like an advertisement, but you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll sing along, you'll dance in your seat! This is movie is not to be mistaken for a masterpiece, despite all of this. It is a very standard musical for the period and for the MGM style -- but that's the best!

Even when you consider how these whitewashed Hollywood musical biopic extravaganzas usually play out, "Words and Music" is embarrassingly ill-conceived. MGM might have been wiser to borrow Abbott & Costello from Universal for the roles of Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers. But, the movie is beautifully produced at all times, by Arthur Freed and the studio. And, the musical numbers range from terrific to indispensable. For a song, listen to Mel Tormé doing "Blue Moon"; it's one of the most beautiful renditions of that standard, and became a Capitol hit for Mr. Tormé. For a dance, observe Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen doing "Slaughter on 10th Avenue"; it's a superbly performed and choreographed vignette, and belongs with the best of Mr. Kelly's work. ****** Words and Music (12/9/48) Norman Taurog ~ Mickey Rooney, Tom Drake, Gene Kelly