Really Surprised!

From my favorite movies..

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

OK, those ain't the lyrics to the Oscar-Nominated song from this early war era Sonia Henie musical, but if Mel Brooks can't spoof it ("Pardon me boys, is this the Transylvania Station?") so could thousands of others who have danced, sang or tapped their feet to this Glenn Miller classic over and over. The movie it comes from isn't very clever, but features some great big band music, a fascinating skiing sequence that looks straight out of a Busby Berkeley musical. The Nicholas Brothers shine in "Chattanooga Choo Choo" dancing violently as a young Dorothy Dandridge sings. Saxaphones blow, trombones blare. If only the plot was as hot as that musical number. The story surrounds band manager John Payne who finds him taking in war refugee Sonia Henie, a young lady whose mission it is to marry him in spite of the catty Lynn Bari, the band's lead singer who makes a claim on him and is determined to keep Henie's Norwegian claws off of him. There isn't nearly enough music to get past this silly plot, with Milton Berle not at his best, forcing gags that are cornier than the opening song in "Oklahoma!". Henie has a more detailed role as usual, but her character's cheeriness covers an unconvincing craftiness. Payne is perhaps even more handsome than MGM's "pretty boy", Robert Taylor, and is overloaded with charm. Bari tries to add some spice to her stereotypical bitchy dame, but fails. The lack of a suitable romantic partner for Payne makes the overall love sequences disappointing.Comic genius Joan Davis is wasted in a brief walk-in, interacting momentarily with Berle, but oh, what laughs she can get with just that. Still, any movie that gives the most popular big band leader swingin' his trombone is worth a look.

I liked it. This is a musical comedy, which means: don't pay attention to the predictable story, just enjoy the comical relief and the musical numbers. This film has a great Glenn Miller score, simply lovable. I was afraid I was going to find Henie's performance annoying, but she's actually quite good through out - nothing Oscar worthy or anything like that - and John Payne, an actor I never really liked (apart from the classic Miracle on 34th Street), works well with her. The ice-skate numbers were a special treat. We can't compare with today's ice-skaters, like so many other users have said, but we can't help being impressed either. It was a good experience and I can say it got me interested in the rest of Sonja's work. Boy, could she ice skate!

Designed to provide some enjoyable light entertainment, "Sun Valley Serenade" does just that. There's plenty of variety, with good comedy, good (sometimes excellent) musical numbers, and some winter outdoors scenes. The story is lightweight, but it's supposed to be, and it is sufficient to tie the rest together.Sonja Henie brings energy and talent to her role as a war refugee who is taken in by a band member. John Payne is good enough, though he mostly allows Henie to take the spotlight, and plays off her and the situation around him. Milton Berle adds some amusing moments as the band's agent. Glenn Miller's band and the performers in the musical sequences get lots of screen time, making good use of most of it. In particular, the 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' number is quite a show-stopper.The atmosphere is quite pleasant, the story is enough to keep things moving, and the variety of material fits together well. It's more than enough to make for an hour-and-a-half of worthwhile watching.

John Payne, one of those often underated actors who turn up with regularity in the 1940s, makes a good partner for the sensuous Sonja Henie in this entertaining big band romp in the snow. I've lost count of the number of times I've watched this movie but still delight in the sight and sound of the race down the mountain and of course the brilliant Nicholas Brothers. A good supporting cast and faultless production values makes this movie one to remember.