Summer Stock, 1950

(Originally posted: March 9, 2012)
THURSDAY MOVIE CONNECTION!!!
Eddie Bracken-- Gene Kelly

Director: Charles Walters

Choreography: Nick Castle

Stars: Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Eddie Bracken, Gloria DeHaven

Jane (Garland) has to deal with getting the crops in and taking care of her family's farm all by herself because her sister Abigail (DeHaven) has left for school. But Abigail is scheduled to return and when she does, Jane is sure she will help out. Instead, Abigail brings all her friends with her- to use the barn to put on a great production. Jane is upset, especially when she meets Joe (Kelly), the director, and they don't get along. But they workout a deal so that Joe and the rest will work on the farm every morning to earn their keep.

But when Abigail and the male lead decide to leave for a better job in New York, Joe convinces Jane to take on the female lead, so they don't have to return all the money from the ticket sales.

Sorry, Fred, but Gene is my favorite dancer! Fred was suave and elegant; Gene was athletic and powerful. And both were BRILLIANT, with all capitals. I guess Gene was better looking, anyway, and that may be part of the reason.

People Will Talk, 1951

Director: Joseph Mankiewicz

Stars: Cary Grant, Jeanne Crain, Finlay Currie

Okay, it's not that the film was bad; it just didn't make any sense.

There was the main story- Dr Praetorius (Grant) falls in love with his pregnant, but single (oooh, scandal!), patient Debra (Crain). The beginning of the story is a bit dark; or just not happy. Then he rescues her by marrying her.

But that story didn't seem to be enough so there was a side one that the doctor's friend Shunderson (Currie), who sort of acts as an unofficial manservant, is being investigated by the police. At the end, when you find out why, it's a strange surprise.

These stories don't really collide at all. It was like they wanted to tell one story, but it didn't take up enough time so they added another to make things interesting. Not bad, but not great. There is one cute, romantic scene in a barn though, where they finally kiss.

There's just something about barns in literature and in the movies..... Why is everybody always kissing in a barn?