Rating: 
Summary: It doesn't get much better than this!
Review: Irving Berlin's "Easter Parade," starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire is about as good as vintage Hollywood musicals get. Produced in 1948 by M-G-M's top musical producer, Arthur Freed, "Easter Parade" is a tuneful romp that features stellar performances by its stars, and a top-flight Irving Berlin score. Musical standards include "A Couple Of Swells," "Steppin' Out With My Baby," "Shakin' The Blues Away," and the title song. This film is currently available on DVD - but only on a pricey 3-DVD set paying deserving tribute to Judy Garland. The film co-stars Anne Miller and Peter Lawford in appropriately .... charming (respectively) support. Its plot is simple: Astaire is a Broadway hoofer whose partner (Miller) has left him for a spot in The Ziegfeld Follies. Garland is the singer (no great dancer is she, at the start) who is summarily hired by Astaire as Miller's replacement. A love triangle (and much musical-comedy bliss) ensues, and great fun is to be had by anyone watching this great vintage movie musical. Astaire is marvelous here, and Judy (if you loved her as the teenaged Dorothy in "The Wizard Of Oz," and who didn't?) is sublime as always. Buy it, rent it, steal it if you have to. "Easter Parade" is not to be missed.
Rating:
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: 
Summary: Judy looked fabulous!
Review: It's a typical Garland vehicle, but any pairing of Fred and Judy is sure to be a winner. And this certainly is. The story is predictable, but wonderfully acted, directed, choreographed, danced, and sung.
Rating:
Summary: Best "holiday" movie ever
Review: Much better than White Christmas or Holiday Inn. Most excellent songs, singers and who could dance better? I could watch this over and over (and so will you!)
Rating:
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:
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:
Summary: Silly fun
Review: The plot of this classic film is quite illogical, and at times almost incoherent. Fortunately, the plot doesn't matter very much. This is a film about music and dance numbers, with the incomporable Astaire and the always entertaining Garland, in glorious technicolor. Particularly memorable is the version of the song "A Couple of Swells." There's not much to do with Easter here, except at the end when the famous Berlin title song makes for a lovely finale.
Rating:
Summary: UTTERLY FANTASTIC!!!!!!
Review: There is NOTHING bad about this movie, the songs are unforgettable, and 'a couple of swells' is a showstopper, even without the 17 songs it is still a great movie, Fred Astaire is perfect for the role [more so than Gene Kelly] and Judy Garland is just magical, this really is her movie. The acting is amzing and although I would have personally not married Fred Astaire he is a better singer than that english bloke
Rating:
Summary: "Stepping out with my Baby" is Astaire's finest moment.
Review: This has everything, great stars, good story and unforgettable numbers. The Astaire/Garland magic is evident from the very beginning and it makes it all the more tragic that they didn't work togther more. The "Steppin' out with my Baby" number is the best that Astaire ever did. This is a must-see for any true fan of musicals.
Rating:
Summary: One of the Best Musicals Ever!
Review: This is a "goody" - Fred Astaire is wonderful and sophisticated with a generous dose of humor, Judy Garland is charming (innocent and naive), Ann Miller plays the perfect snob, and Peter Lawford adds wit and pragmatism to his role as the plot-pusher, so to speak. Terrific musical numbers - "Easter Parade", of course, and many others that you will sing along and tap your feet to. It's a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon, just like when you were a kid and the old movies came on TV. Get your popcorn, this one is terrific!
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