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Summary: Once upon a time...
Review: ...this movie was supposed to co-star Judy Garland with Gene Kelly and, believe it or not, Cyd Charisse!! The latter two names both had leg injuries which forced the studio to replace them both. It was one of those magical jells which historians still talk about today: Astaire, coaxed out of retirement because he swore he was too old (49 at the time) to be dancing on film, was the perfect mix of Pygmalion mentor/gentle soulmate to Ms. Garland's familiar variation on winsome earth-girl-who's-every-inch-as-pretty (but doesn't believe it) as her more glamorous counterparts. I also feel that the "Swells" hobo number has been revered to death; I'd rather talk about Astaire's stage extravaganza "Stepping Out," which has the distinction of him dancing with *three* gorgeous partners then wraps up with him tapping slow-motion in front of a regular-motion chourus. Or Judy Garland's torch solo "Better Luck Next Time;" or even Ann Miller's tapping exhibition (visually dazzling in black, grey, and yellow) to "Shakin' the Blues Away." The period costumes are A+ (suits and hats on men; hats and gowns on women!!), the Irving Berlin score is an embarassment of riches, and the Charles Walters direction is solid. Favorite line is Astaire saying to Garland: "Why didn't you tell me I was in love with you?"
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Summary: Cute movie that features a young Pre Rat Pack Peter Lawford.
Review: A cute movie with excellent song and dance numbers with Judy Garland and Fred Astaire and also some good song and dance routines from Ann Miller and I liked Peter Lawford, yes he was good looking but he was also a good actor and I just really liked his portrayal of Judy's other suitor and I recommend this movie to any fan of musicals, Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Peter Lawford and Ann Miller.
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Summary: A beautiful film!
Review: A great film! I highly recommend. The singing and dancing is wonderful! I'd give it ten stars if I could.
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Summary: The best movie of all time
Review: a very great movi
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Summary: never too old
Review: A wonderful movie for the YOUNG and old!
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Summary: Light-Weight Fun
Review: Although this not one of MGM's greater film musicals, the combination of Garland, Astaire, Anne Miller, and Irving Berlin make for delightful entertainment. The emphasis is on charm, and the film certainly delivers it in abundance, along with Garland at a vocal peak and some stunning dance routines by Astaire and Miller.
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Summary: GARLAND GLOWS IN ONE OF HER BEST FILMS
Review: Any film - starring Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Ann Miller and Peter Lawford must be something special. And though the script is fair, the film EASTER PARADE stands out as musical entertainment in the first order. Although the competition is strong, it IS Judy`s show from beginning to the end. She was and is without peer.
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Summary: FOUR-STAR-MUSICAL HIT
Review: Because of the broken legs of Cyd Charisse and Gene Kelly, Ann Miller and Fred Astaire(out of a two-year retirement)starred with the great JUDY GARLAND in this musical. It`s a great show and it is on a standard formula. Many of the ingredients were used in similar films; "Singin`in the Rain" were they d o include a fashion show, only one composer(Ok 2 - Nacio Herb Brown/Arthur Freed), singing in the rain, a bitchy lead replaced by a plain-Jane ingenue... The most funny thing however is that when I watched DIRTY DANCING in 1987, the female character was called "Baby Frances" by her family(as was Judy was by her own family) and the plot was stolen from Easter Parade. But this is EASTER PARADE. The only team-work of Garland-Astaire - great Irving Berlin songs(indeed he only agreed 2 let the picture be shot if Judy was involved). Vincente Minnelli was first choice as director until Judy`s psychiatrist insisted the studio replace him, fearful she might see husband-director Minnelli as a shadow respresenting her problems with the studio MGM. The song Mr Monotoni was cut from the film(Garland wearing the Get Happy costume later in the 1950 SUMMER STOCK)but is seen in THAT`S ENTERTAINMENT III 1994. EASTER PARADE is a joyful package of entertainment, forever cherished... What is most a revelation is that JUDY GARLAND delivers a Hanna Brown of flesh and blood - not a musical-comedy-cartoon. But that`s the great Judy for u... See my MORE ABOUT ME page about my thoughts of JUDY GARLAND
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Summary: Buy it now!!!
Review: fabulas, I have it on vhs and tave watched so many time that it broke twice! if it were any better it would be terrible. Also note how Fred has barly any expression but judy shows all her vaunerability in the role, and SHE makes you believe what shes saying. If she doesnt mean it then she truly is the best actress i have every seen(I already do).
Judyis4me1254
FDR Clones
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Summary: Fred and Judy Strut Their Stuff in this "Parade" of Talent
Review: Fred Astaire has a go at the Pygmalion myth here in "Easter Parade" when he vows he can take just only ole common chorus girl and make her a fit consort for his superior talents, in order to spite his deserting partner--and ladylove--Ann Miller. So taking up with common chorus girl Judy Garland is just an exercise in proving he can do something, you understand. Well, after some frustrations trying to fit Judy into the Ann mold, Judy persuades him to develop routines that maximize the best traits of each, and before you know it, Success! And perhaps not so surprisingly, Romance too. But there will be complications. Like, is that Ann woman REALLY out of Fred's system? And just when you might be sure of Judy, she meets up with a suitor right under her umbrella, and he sings her a song all about it! Don't faint now, he's ANN's boyfriend too! Fred's competition for BOTH women? Peter Lawford. I dunno, I could never understand how Lawford became such a big star in so many movies. My dad always claimed it was because of his Kennedy connections, but "EP" is years before that, I think. Of course, the Lawford I really remember is one of the late 60s and 70s, when he had his two-tone sideburns and wore beads with an open neck shirt. This was a post- Rat Pack Lawford who recommended that the TV viewers be sure to send Western Union CandyGrams. Well, at any rate, this was the young Lawford that turns the heads of both Judy and Ann Miller. Me? I'd be with Fred hands down. Now, here I go out on another limb, departing from the usual. This movie is famous for the hobo number, "We're a Couple of Swells". While others wax lyrical about it, that's a "get up to go to the fridge" moment as far as I'm concerned. If there are two kinds of musical numbers I hate, it's singing tramps and singing clowns. Real scruffy looking homeless, such as we have in NYC, do not inspire songs. Also, in high school I knew two sisters who used to tap dance this routine themselves, so it's a bad flashback for me. But these quibbles notwithstanding, "Easter Parade" is still good entertainment, with a great concluding number and some other great numbers before we get there, like Fred's swanky "Steppin' Out With My Baby"--is anyone cooler than he?
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