Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth, and Adolphe Menjou star in the musical You Were Never Lovelier. Thanks, Virginie! (Production And Recordings Information). But every time a The studio relied on Cugat to supply the Latin music, then assigned the Rita Hayworth, so the film was set in a Hollywood version of Buenos Aires, Though it didn't receive great reviews, the movie was fun to watch from start to finish. The sets aren't as lavish as what MGM would design for a musical, but when you have Kern doing the music and Mercer providing song lyrics, you are off to a good start. Love this film with Rita and Fred dancing up a storm.. Stunningly graceful understates her ability to move fluidly regardless of the activity. His dialogue throughout is very funny and to be looked upon as a blueprint in life if you dont want to spend time pussy-footing around an issue. Adolphe Menjou (Eduardo Acuna), Leslie Brooks (Cecy Acuna), Adele Mara It was difficult to find sufficient rehearsal space on Columbia's stages, so the studio rented a funeral parlor at a nearby Hollywood cemetery. Columbia does a nice job remaking a previous film and hits all the checkpoints of a 1940s Hollywood musical (Astaire wished they had made it in Technicolor). Of the two films with Fred this is the best and, in my view, better than Cover Girl, although that is in colour and she is again beautifully photographed. Kern's greatest score since "Show Boat"! I haven't read much about Rita's father, but it is surprising to me that Fred seemed to be such good friends with him when Fred was kindness personified. In Buenos Aires, a man who has decreed that his daughters must marry in order of age allows an American dancer to perform at his club under the condition that he play suitor to his second-oldest daughter. The two younger daughters were also great fun to watch. And just as Margarita Cansino had been Hollywood-ized into Unable to see Robert, Acuna mistakes him for the delivery boy and instructs him to take the orchids to Maria. Every time a funeral came through, rehearsals would stop until the last of the mourners had left! Humiliated, Maria rejects Robert and storms out of the room. The film is a reworking of the 1941 Argentine musical Los martes, orqudeas (On Tuesdays, Orchids) directed by Francisco Mgica. While talking with Acua, Bob remarks that Maria's personality is like "the inside of a refrigerator". The entire cast acts with charm and humor-this is really a fun musical made special by the magnetism and magic of the two stars. rehearsals while he was developing their routines. Fred Astaire gets the award for most versatile--singing, dancing and comedic timing. It stars Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth, Adolphe Menjou, Isobel Elsom, Leslie Brooks and was distributed by Columbia Pictures. Excellent title for Rita! We work hard to protect your security and privacy. You Were Never Lovelier. I hate that we only got two films from Rita and Fred. Adolphe Menjou (Acuna) is brilliant as the man in charge of everything. (uncredited) Cinematography by Ted Tetzlaff . The finale is a dance number that shows the joy they felt when they worked together. Kern's greatest score since "Show Boat"!. Yes the plot is of it's time and shouldn't be taken seriously (I doubt it really was when it was made) but just seen as a vehicle for a fantastic score, great dancing, and a chance to see a truly beautiful woman beautifully photographed. Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled, Black & White, Multiple Formats. In these, the later femme fatale of 1940s With a couple of beautiful songs by Jerome Kern (Oscar-nominated Dearly Beloved, I m Old Fashioned, Shorty George and the title tune), this, at heart a very standard romantic comedy, comes alive with its musical/dancing numbers. After Robert protests and pushes Fernando into a fountain, the sisters admit their scheme, and Maria, embarassed, declares that she is not in love with Robert. The entire cast acts with charm and humor-this is really a fun musical made special by the magnetism and magic of the two stars. Astaire's glorious rhythm! Stunningly graceful understates her ability to move fluidly regardless of the activity. Marvel Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Jurassic Park Movies Ranked By Tomatometer, RT25: Celebrating 25 Years of Rotten Tomatoes, Betty Gilpin & Co. on Deciphering Mrs. Davis, Weekend Box Office Results: Super Mario Sets Record in Its Second Weekend. "You Were Never Lovelier" is the second and final pairing of Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth in a musical format. The masterpiece in this film is "The Shorty George", this is also worth seeing on YouTube when danced to the Jackie Wilson hit " Lifting Me Higher". Unfortunately for Menjou, Fred Astaire gets dragged into the proceedings. It doesn't matter as Astaire and Hayworth belong together in the movies. I had heard about this film but have never seen it. Hayworth's performance here establishes her claim as one of Astaires foremost dance partners. Which makes me feel terrible because it seems like I've been neglecting this blog for so long. Loving and Fighting Furiously: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Instead, he and lyricist Johnny Mercer supplied the Where to Watch Details Add to Watchlist Mark as Watched FuboTV Subscribers Totally Free! The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. I love Rita!! Copyright Fandango. Please use a different way to share. The musical score by Jerome Kern artfully captured the ambience perfectly in every scene. Bravo, gorgeously illustrated and beautifully written essay on a Hayworth gem! Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. A Hollywood Reporter news item adds that because all the sets on the Columbia lot were occupied, Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth were forced to rehearse in a hall on the grounds of Hollywood Cemetery. Thanks for that. There are no reviews yet. You can post on any of the three days of the blogathon, or you can post early. Full content visible, double tap to read brief content. Because Esther's filmography isn't very large, I'll allow any topic to be claimed a maximum of two (2) times. This August is a bit different because I'll also be contributing to the SUTS Blogathon that runs alongside the programming, hosted by Kristen at Journeys in Classic Film. Louis F. Edelman, Writer: But where she had been an up-and-coming leading lady when they made their first film They together, she was a full-fledged star by the time she danced with him a Based on the Story and Screenplay The Gay Senorita by Carlos A. Olivari The picture scored Oscar nominations for its score, sound Columbia does a nice job remaking a previous film and hits all the checkpoints of a 1940s Hollywood musical (Astaire wished they had made it in Technicolor). The Acunas, a rich Argentine family, have the tradition that the daughters have to get married in order, oldest first. Mind you, that might be because when he dances with Rita I watch her, when he dances with Ginger I watch them both! Thanks also for hosting this blogathon; a wonderful tribute to Rita. And a big thanks for hosting this event! "You Were Never Lovelier" is the second and final pairing of Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth in a musical format. I've been hoping TCM would play it for a while now, but no such luck.How terrible for Rita! Fred Astaire, Columbia Pictures; Columbia Pictures Corporation, Leslie Brooks, Adolphe Menjou, Louis F. Edelman, William A. Seiter, Rita Hayworth, A remake of an Argentine film 'the Gay Senorita , YOU WERE NEVER LOVELIER was a follow-up to the 1942 hit You'll Never Get Rich , and marked the last screen pairing of Astaire and Hayworth. To prevent bloodshed, Robert reveals Acuna's fabrication. Though it didn't receive great reviews, the movie was fun to watch from start to finish. By the way, if you like Rita's musicals, have you seen Music In My Heart? Now grab a banner, spread the word, and I'll see you in April! Unfortunately for Menjou, Fred Astaire gets dragged into the proceedings. Columbia does a nice job remaking a previous film and hits all the checkpoints of a 1940s Hollywood musical (Astaire wished they had made it in Technicolor). You Were Never Lovelier subtitles. Rita Hayworth, on the other hand, was just beginning her rise to film stardom when she was first paired with Astaire for 1941's. Prior to the film's release, Columbia launched a radio campaign featuring the songs heard in the picture, according to a Hollywood Reporter news item. ), but that's another story. Overview. 19, you-were-never-lovelier-1942_202109 Scanner Internet Archive HTML5 Uploader 1.6.4 Sound sound Year 1942 . She tells Judge Murdock (Barrymore) how she and Eddie Crane (Young) met while she was waiting tables and he was very much the struggling artist. Astaire's glorious rhythm! Capture a web page as it appears now for use as a trusted citation in the future. I'm so sorry about your comments not going through! From one lovely dance to the next you feel an enchantment.My goodness, Cugat's cartoons are marvelous. After watching the movie, I would have purchased it just to see the work of Adolf Menjou. [2] The picture was released by Columbia Pictures and includes the elaborate "Shorty George" song and dance sequence. English, Director: Five stars for the musical scenes and the dancing stars in this film. I honestly thought I'd have more time for writing and other hobbies once grad school was over -- and then COVID happened and any hope of returning to some kind of normal routine went out the window. Love this film with Rita and Fred dancing up a storm.. I believe I read somewhere that Astaire gave her the greatest compliment of all when he would not say that Rita was his "favorite" partner but that she was the most skilled and best dancer of all his partners. I watch these films because I really enjoy watching the great dancing of Fred Astaire with Ginger Rogers and Rita Hayworth. Music, Comedy. complete with bandleader Xavier Cugat and his band playing the Latin music Concerned about Maria's frigid demeanor, Acuna asks the advice of her godmother, Mrs. Maria Castro. A great informative article Michaela! Hayworth's glowing beauty! Robert "Bob" Davis (Fred Astaire) is a well-known American dancer with a weakness for betting on the horses. The supporting cast also features Adolphe Menjou, Xavier Cugat and Adele Mara. Although Hayworth had a fine voice, Harry Cohn insisted on her singing being dubbed throughout by Nan Wynn. I really wanted to cover a bunch of people, but things have been absolutely bonkers for me lately. By what name was You Were Never Lovelier (1942) officially released in India in English? It was nominated for 3 Academy Awards in 1943. Excellent title for Rita! When Robert tells Acuna that he is in love with Maria, Acuna warns him that Maria has fallen in love with an ardent admirer. Orchestra (Themselves), Lina Romay (Herself). (I'm an absolute sucker for animated credits.) By using this site, you agree to our updated, Fred Astaire introduces the Jerome Kern/Johnny Mercer tune that became a standard, performing at the wedding for the eldest daughter of South American potentate Acuna (Adolphe Menjou), Rita Hayworth as his non-cooperative next-in-line, in, Rita Hayworth as "Maria," here dubbed by Nan Wynn, Fred Astaire as her would-be boyfriend, in their second musical together, with a ballroom number danced to another Jerome Kern/Johnny Mercer original, in, You Were Never Lovelier -- (Movie Clip) The Shorty George, Maybe the best number in their second musical, Fred Astaire (as "Robert") is gaining in the esteem of Rita Hayworth (as "Maria,"), Xavier Cugat's band backing them in rehearsal of a Jerome Kern, Johnny Mercer tune, in, You Were Never Lovelier - (Original Trailer), Rita Hayworth is an Argentine heiress who thinks Fred Astaire is her secret admirer in. In Buenos Aires, a man who has decreed that his daughters must marry in order of age allows an American dancer to perform at his club under the condition that he play suitor to his second-ol Read allIn Buenos Aires, a man who has decreed that his daughters must marry in order of age allows an American dancer to perform at his club under the condition that he play suitor to his second-oldest daughter.In Buenos Aires, a man who has decreed that his daughters must marry in order of age allows an American dancer to perform at his club under the condition that he play suitor to his second-oldest daughter. In YOU WERE NEVER LOVELIER, she proves once again to be a stunning dancer, especially in 'shorty George and I m Old Fashioned, a sensuous moonlit duet with Astaire that is the high point of the film. Aware of his younger daughters' plight, Acua works out a plan: sending orchids and anonymous love notes from a secret admirer to Maria to help get her in the mood. Fun movie from the 1940's and sure enough, Rita was never lovlier. There, There have been quite a few centennials to honor this year -- Lana Turner, Donna Reed, Jane Russell, Judy Holliday, Dirk Bogarde -- but there is one I'm especially excited to celebrate: Esther Williams! Later, Robert escorts Maria into the garden, where they confess their love for each other. Rita Hayworths dancing was a revelation to me in this film. first rehearsal for You'll Never Get Rich, he would dub her the Latin countries were one. The rules are the same as they have been: you can write about a. Indiana native. According to Astaires biography, he worked out all the numbers with Hayworth while rehearsing above a funeral parlour. 1942. Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout. The lyrics by Johnny Mercer were classy and clever. deux. Brief content visible, double tap to read full content. Robert Davis: Would it be rude of me to inquire if there is any insanity in your family? We are sorry. You Were Never Lovelier is a 1942 American musical romantic comedy film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. star. And she was a much better dancer than most people realize. William A. Seiter. hit for the studio, and the film's success made her Columbia's top female Kern's greatest score since "Show Boat"! A traditional patriarch, Mr. Acuna . You have to be a appreciative of Fred Astaire's skill to buy this film, as a film the storyline is feeble and predictable but the dancing is majestic. Amazon has encountered an error. When Mrs. Castro responds that Maria needs to be intrigued by a man, Acuna decides to invent a mystery admirer for his daughter. Brimming with inside jokes, delightful musical numbers, and plenty of decadent costumes and sets, the series always features Hope and Crosby as a pair of pals who find themselves in the worst situations as they travel to such places as Morocco, Bali, and Zanzibar. He owns a hotel and is very blunt to his guests and his employees. BW-98m. Astaire's glorious rhythm! Bob Davis (Fred Astaire), an American dancer in Buenos Aires, Argentina, finds himself desperate for work after losing all his money. Rita Hayworth's beauty explodes onto the screen; she was 23 at the time it was made. Although it was nominated for a Best Original Song Academy Award and became a huge hit, particularly at weddings, I feel like the tune has been forgotten, which is such a shame. This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt. 12 Favorites. The plot is typical Hollywood: boy and girl meet, get off to a rocky start, begin to come around to each other's potential, and finally declare their love for one another in the final reel. It affected Rita a lot psychologicaly :(, Music in My Heart is still one I need to see. At the Acua's 25th anniversary, Mr. Acuna plans to compose a farewell love note on his behalf while Cecy and Lita try to separate Bob and Maria, but fail. There is a 19 year age difference between them and Astaire was happily married and Hayworth was being courted by Orson Welles. Astaire and Hayworth starred together in You'll Never Get Rich the previous year, and, while I prefer this earlier film, both Astaire-Hayworth musicals are highly entertaining. However, as Fred wrote in his autobiography, "Ginger and I never felt that it was any last-time thing. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. In YOU WERE NEVER LOVELIER, she proves once again to be a stunning dancer, especially in 'shorty George and I m Old Fashioned, a sensuous moonlit duet with Astaire that is the high point of the film. While Mr. Acua tries to defend himself, Bob and Maria come into the office, where Bob has to confess that he hasn't been writing the love-letters to Acua's daughter, disappointing Maria, who apologizes to Maria Castro. From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, The references used may be made clearer with a different or consistent style of, Please help to improve this article by adding more citations to the body of the article, https://simple.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=You_Were_Never_Lovelier&oldid=8291052, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License. bartfargo3K I've waited a while to review this since buying the DVD. I've watched it half a dozen times since and it still seems as fresh as when I first saw it too many years ago. Reviews There are no reviews yet. This is my favorite Rita Hayworth movie. , . She just floated through her films and was beautiful too. I have never had more fun laughing at an individual who was screaming at people throughout the movie. Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2022. Please try again. Hayworth & Astaire - Awesome Team - Beautifully Done Movie, Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2013, Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2016. You feel an enchantment.My goodness, Cugat 's cartoons are marvelous word, and Menjou... Tax ) shown at checkout perfectly in every scene Heart is still one I need to see because it like! `` the inside of a refrigerator '' storm.. Stunningly graceful understates her ability to move regardless! A while now, but no such luck.How terrible for Rita and sure enough, Rita Hayworth in a format. Which makes me feel terrible because it seems like I 've been hoping TCM play! A musical format cover a bunch of people, but things have been absolutely bonkers for lately... 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