Sick Product of a Sick System

Pretty Good

Highly Overrated But Still Good

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Co-directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, "On the Town" is a glorious celebration of the musical form. Adapted from the stage musical, this film features some of Leonard Bernstein's songs from the original show as well as some tunes from Roger Edens (all with words by Adolph Green and Betty Comden, who wrote the screenplay).The film is also a celebration of New York City, where three sailors (who have never been to the city) have one day of leave.Spectacle and talent are on display throughout the film. It would be nearly impossible to give tribute to all of it, so I will concentrate on the first few minutes of the film.First we hear the plaintive voice of Bern Hoffman on the docks, where he sings about the sleepy early morning hours. It sets a tone that tells us this film is, perhaps, classier than the average, showy musical. And it serves as a contrast to the activity that 6:00 AM brings.That's when hundreds of sailors storm the gangplank and pour into the city, wanting to release pent up energy after weeks at sea. Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin emerge with glowing faces and big voices, singing "New York, New York". There should be an exclamation mark after that song title. And the energy never flags.In short order, their well-laid plans for seeing all of the sights of the city are sidetracked, but not before a wonderful montage featuring the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Rockefeller Plaza, and the view from the Top of the Rock, among others.On a subway ride, Gene becomes enamored with the new Miss Turnstiles (patterned after the real Miss Subways campaign), Vera-Ellen, who he briefly meets soon after. Frank becomes the target of an aggressive taxi driver (Betty Garrett) and Jules meets Ann Miller (a scientist), while Gene is determined to find Vera-Ellen in the city.Production values are excellent and the on-location settings make their New York City adventures wonderful to watch. Seeing Columbus Circle as it existed in 1949, for example, is a bittersweet bonus.With Kelly at the helm, it's no surprise the film includes a musical staple--the dream sequence. Choreography throughout the film is confident.As Kelly would say later, these performers were at their peaks during this filming. What a joy to watch them in a production that pulls the best from each of them.

The story is pretty familiar, 3 sailors get 24 hours shore leave, and sing and tap dance there way through New York City circa 1949. The film seems to harken back to a few years earlier when every mothers son was going off to save the World, and a 24 hour leave could be the last chance to be alive before heading out to The South Pacific or tangling with Uboats in the Atlantic. With the War as a backdrop the film would have little more poignancy and charm. Three sailors who have never been within a thousand miles of a real battle, and biggest problem is boredom, desperately need to fall madly in love within 24 hours, is a bit silly, but who cares , certainly not me, when the cast is charming and the songs catchy. The entertainment outweighs the shell of a story. The film begins with a bang, the show stopping number of show stopping numbers; "New York,New York" . 1949 New York was sort of the unofficial capital of the "New" world. This is a romanticized version of New York to be sure, a sweet Disney version of it, a city of museums, dance studios, night clubs and tourist attractions, even the police are whimsical. Anyone seeing this and thinking its the real New York City will be disappointed , its the flip side of more realistic movies from that era like "On the Waterfront" or "Sweet smell of success" but to be frank it's a New York we would all like to live in, or revisit many times especially with Navy men dancing around the top of the Empire States building and pretty cab drivers on every corner, a city of magic and magical happenings.Of the three sailors Sinatra comes off as the sweetest, Kelly comes off a bit strange, feeling it is his mission to find the girl he spots on a poster, and spends the next hour doing just that, but it's okay because she wouldn't have it any other way.-hey, its a musical after all.There is a nice ballet sequence with Kelly towards the end, that foreshadows his work on " American in Paris"In short it's a delightful way to spend 2 hours and wonderful entertainment. As well as an interesting time capsule of New York in the Golden age of post war America.

Three sailors on a day of shore leave in New York City look for fun and romance before their twenty-four hours are up.You have to love any collaboration between Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen. I am a little less impressed by the singing and dancing of Frank Sinatra, but he is alright in his own way. Vera-Ellen's terrifying waist makes an appearance, and this is a good showcase for her, even though she is now better known for "White Christmas".The Breen Office of the MPAA refused to allow the use of the word "helluva" in the song "New York, New York", and so it was changed to "wonderful". That seems pretty strange, even for the 1940s. Though, I have to wonder, what sort of movies would we have today (2015) if the censors still had this kind of power?

Over 60 years since this film was made, but still better than most pictures produced today.3 sailors on an over night shore leave go to sight-see New York, day and night. They sing, dance and laugh their way through various adventures including romantically.Super songs, great dance routines, and a marvelous funny script. Good insight into the culture of a different generation. Lots of style and elegance and in the nicest possible way a good dose of "camp".The only reason I cannot give the top vote is that in my opinion some of the dream sequences seem forced and out of place.Alice Pearce as Lucy Schmeeler gives a hilarious performance and steals the whole film.New York, New York: what a wonderful town!8/10.