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Easter Parade (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Easter Parade (Two-Disc Special Edition)

List Price: $26.99
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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Musical
Review: A fantastic musical. A sure-fine collectable that they couldn't ever make a remake of. This has many classic songs I once sung in choir; unforgettables such as "Stepping Out with My Baby" and more. The plot is one about a dancer who just lost his partner to another. He decides to show her how he really did turn her into a star by taking any girl--and doing just that. He picks Judy Garland, a nightclub singer, and turns her into a dancer, sure enough. She falls in love with him, but he still wants to get his old partner back. In the end, though, he realizes how in love he is with her and takes her out for the "Easter parade," singing the title song. You should see it if you love Judy's singing and Fred Astair's wonderful 5 star tap dancing! Enjoy!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This Is One Of The Greatest Movies In The History of Movies
Review: Easter Parade, wow, I would need at least a week to tell you of how great this movie is. I am 17 years old and I absolutely love this movie. It's got comedy, romance, music, and of course, Judy Garland and Fred Astaire. The two greatest entertainers of the 20th century. Easter Parade has a My Fair Lady type plot. Fred Astaire is excellent in "Stepping Out With My Baby" and "It Only Happens When I Dance With You." Judy Garland is amazing in "I Love A Piano" and "Easter Parade" Ann Miller and Peter Lawford are also great. This movie contains extremely funny lines like this:

Astaire: Miss Brown, what idiot ever told you you were a dancer?
Garland: You did.

A must have for any Judy Garland or Fred Astaire fan.




Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One-of-a-kind musical! This is one of the best...
Review: Fred Astaire, for me, is the epitomy of class, style and grace. His dancing was and remains to be like none ever recorded on film. The man didn't walk on earth, he floated. It was as though his feet took flight, and he defied and danced above gravity. This film truly showcases that talent, as well as the talent of his wonderful supporting cast in Ann Miller, Judy Garland and Peter Lawford.

Fred's character is happy in his partnership with his current dance partner, Nadine (Ann Miller), when she dumps him and he must find someone new to replace her. He scouts out a dance hall and spots Hannah (Judy Garland), a younger, less polished dancer who has a lot of spunk, none the less. Under his tutelage, he helps her blossom into a fine and graceful dancer. As she becomes more and more drawn to him, she also encounters a handsome man during a rainstorm (Peter Lawford), who is drawn to Hannah instantly. They sing the lovely "A Fella With an Umbrella" together, as she makes her way through the streets while he helps to keep her dry.

There are so many wonderful scenes. The comedic scenes are very witty! Also, the dance numbers crackle with fire and life. "Shakin' the Blues Away" with Ann Miller, is sensational. I still don't know to this day how that woman ever tapped her feet so quickly and with such razor-sharp accuracy! The title number with Fred Astaire and Judy Garland is both touching and genuine. I could tell they had a lot of fun making this film. It is a little known fact that Gene Kelly was originally cast in Fred Astaire's role. It was when Gene broke his foot following a recreational volleyball game in his backyard that fate had other plans. "Easter Parade" was actually Fred Astaire's come-back film. I am so glad it was because I couldn't imagine anyone else for the part!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: The Old Pygmalion Story--Again!
Review: I love Fred and Judy as much as anyone, but this is really worth watching primarily for the stars and their numbers. The songs and performances are great, but the script lets them down--not particularly witty or original. It's the old Pygmalion story (again!), and most of the humor is leaden. For a musical-comedy, there's not much comedy. You can tell that the script was written primarily as a vehicle to use as many Berlin songs as possible. Perhaps the best number was deleted from the final film--Judy's stunning "Mr. Monotany." It's available on "That's Entertainment III (and maybe on the bonus disc here?).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Garland! Astaire! MIller! Lawford! Berlin! -- and more!
Review: It goes without saying that Easter Parade is one of the greatest MGM musicals ever made. Fred Astaire and Judy Garland make a wonderful dancing, singing and acting team! As you may know from all the reviewers before me, Astaire plays the part of Don Hewes, a very famous dancer, who is very upset after his love interest and dance partner Nadine (played by Ann Miller) leaves him to pursue an even more lucrative career on the stage. In anger and disgust he impulsively vows that he could turn any woman into a better dancer than his partner had been-and he makes a great pick! Hannah Brown, played by Judy Garland, is (of course) not too good at dancing at first, but with much coaching and hard work Hewes (Astaire) builds her into a dancing star as his new partner! (As the Amazon review points out, while watching this film I was reminded more than once of the musical My Fair Lady. There is that theme of the older, more experienced and educated man coaching, teaching and molding a younger woman.)

This film offers a love triangle with Peter Lawford also being attracted to Garland but he doesn't get far as she is very much in love with Hewes (Astaire). The musical numbers are outstanding thanks to the incomparable Irving Berlin, Garland, and Astaire. Ann Miller (playing Nadine, Astaire's former partner) also does a fantastic job with her dance number while singing "Shakin' The Blues Away." Indeed, it's hard to decide which numbers are the best; they're all so well done and beautifully filmed! "Steppin' Out With My Baby" and the title song are particularly strong numbers; so is "We're A Couple Of Swells," a vaudeville-type number that Garland liked very much.

The choreography is excellent. The dancing is superlative and they must have really put a lot of effort into a dance routine with Garland and Astaire early on in the film where she dances almost every step wrong!

I recommend this movie for lovers of classic musicals, Garland fans, Astaire fans, Miller fans as well as aficionados of great quality films. Get this movie for your collection today and you'll never regret it! A BUY! GRIN

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Garland! Astaire! MIller! Lawford! Berlin! -- and more!
Review: It goes without saying that Easter Parade is one of the greatest MGM musicals ever made. Fred Astaire and Judy Garland make a wonderful dancing, singing and acting team! As you may know from all the reviewers before me, Astaire plays the part of Don Hewes, a very famous dancer, who is very upset after his love interest and dance partner Nadine (played by Ann Miller) leaves him to pursue an even more lucrative career on the stage. In anger and disgust he impulsively vows that he could turn any woman into a better dancer than his partner had been-and he makes a great pick! Hannah Brown, played by Judy Garland, is (of course) not too good at dancing at first, but with much coaching and hard work Hewes (Astaire) builds her into a dancing star as his new partner! (As the Amazon review points out, while watching this film I was reminded more than once of the musical My Fair Lady. There is that theme of the older, more experienced and educated man coaching, teaching and molding a younger woman.)

This film offers a love triangle with Peter Lawford also being attracted to Garland but he doesn't get far as she is very much in love with Hewes (Astaire). The musical numbers are outstanding thanks to the incomparable Irving Berlin, Garland, and Astaire. Ann Miller (playing Nadine, Astaire's former partner) also does a fantastic job with her dance number while singing "Shakin' The Blues Away." Indeed, it's hard to decide which numbers are the best; they're all so well done and beautifully filmed! "Steppin' Out With My Baby" and the title song are particularly strong numbers; so is "We're A Couple Of Swells," a vaudeville-type number that Garland liked very much.

The choreography is excellent. The dancing is superlative and they must have really put a lot of effort into a dance routine with Garland and Astaire early on in the film where she dances almost every step wrong!

I recommend this movie for lovers of classic musicals, Garland fans, Astaire fans, Miller fans as well as aficionados of great quality films. Get this movie for your collection today and you'll never regret it! A BUY! GRIN

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Astaire, Garland, Irving Berlin, and Movie Magic
Review: Originally intended as a re-teaming of Judy Garland and Gene Kelly, EASTER PARADE ran into trouble when Garland's doctors advised against her working under the direction of her husband, director Vincent Minnelli--and no sooner did director Charles Walters take the helm than Gene Kelly broke his leg. Out of such confusion are movie musical miracles born: although a bit old to act as Garland's leading man, Fred Astaire was coaxed out of retirement. He and Garland had tremendous chemistry, EASTER PARADE was a box office smash, and Astaire unexpectedly found himself reborn as an MGM star.

Set in 1900s New York, the film's story line is flimsy but enjoyable. After long-time dance partner Ann Miller abandons the act, Astaire hires chorus girl Garland and attempts to recast her in his former partner's mold--a situation which offers Astaire and Garland considerable comedy and gives Astaire the chance to parody several of his own famous dance of the 1930s. Garland eventually convinces Astaire that she needs to be herself, and once the act is revamped they become a hot ticket--and, once their several romantic complications are resolved, romantic partners as well.

Astaire is every bit as charming here as he was in his Ginger Roger days, and his choreography retains his signature sharpness, wit, and elegance. Although Garland isn't really a dancer, she holds her own with Astaire and she tears strips off a brillant score of Irving Berlin favorites. Both are well supported by Anne Miller, who gives a brilliant turn with 'Shakin' the Blues Away,' and Peter Lawford, who is quite charming as one of Garland's admirers. Although this really isn't as inspired as the truly great MGM musicals of the late 1940s, director Walters keeps it going at a smart pace, and the star power, clever script, memorable score, and those legendary MGM production values elevate it well above the pack. Musical fans will be in for a treat! Recommended.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A delightful musical for the whole family.
Review: Other than Bing Crosby's Holiday Inn, this wonderful little offering is by far the most enjoyable of the Holiday musicals. My favorite routine in the movie is easily Astaire's and Garland's "a couple of Swells". I always look forward to that number no matter how many times I watch this musical. However, I often wonder how the dancing and singing sequences would have changed had Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly not met with accidents prior to filming. Of course we will never know, but the movie as presented with Fred Astaire and Judy Garland is something not to be missed.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: I Love This Movie!!!!!!!!
Review: Some movies (especially movies from today) are really to me just a waste of time and money. People just don't seem to care about what people see on the screen anymore. And that is one of the reasons I LOVE old movies! Because you can always, almost, well, you can really never go wrong!! And Easter Parade is one of those movies to just treasure. To save for your children and grandchildren. So they can's appreciate the past, and know that there once was a time when people cared about the things they put on that larger than life screen.

Easter Parade begins with the ballroom dancer, Don Hews (Fred Astaire). Who is in love with his goregeous partner (Ann Miller) Oh, what a star!
Those two are a great team that audiences love. But when Nadene, (Miller) becomes hungry for renown, she dumps him for the Zigfield Follies, and Don's best friend, the handsome Johnny Harlow (Peter Lawford).

Angry Don sets off to prove to Nadene that he can dance with anybody and he doesn't need her! So he finds the chorus girl working at a bar, the Lovely Hannah Brown (Judy Garland). Wonderful songs that put a smile on your face. And clever lines that will make you laugh! Easter Parade has it all!! And as Don Hews realizes he's fallen hoplelessly in love with Hannah. And he proves to the narrow minded, jealous, Nadene, he DOESN'T need her, and he CAN dance with anybody.

Clinton Sundberg plays the bar tender where Hannah used to work. And thinks he knows everything. Lines like:
Astaire: I bet you know alot about women.
Sundberg: I should, been single all my life.

Wonderful songs like: Easter Parade, Love the Piano, A Fella With a Umbrella, Michigan, shakin the Blues away, and more!

Ann also does a jaw droppin performance of Shakin your Blues Away. Wonderful!!! This movie is all smiles!! And let me tell you something, this movie DEFINETLEY cannot miss! I'm only practically 14, but my opinion is very decided, I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!

PLEASE DO ME A FAVOR: SEE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Avoid this picture.
Review: This has to be the worst musical I have ever seen. I like them generally and I love Judy Garland, but this is just atrocious. It has a stupid paper thin plot without a single twist, boring characters who would never do anything you wouldn't expect, and songs which have absolutely nothing to do with the action of the scene into which they've been crammed. If you want a good Garland musical see A Star is Born or Meet me in St. Louis (I'm sure if you're here you've already viewed Oz), but stay far away from this.


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