At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

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

Okay, so "Singing in the Rain" it's not, it's still better than... okay, I can't think of anything off the top of my head, but it's an enjoyable movie with lots of singing, dancing, pretty colors and fun cameos from a host of stars. AND it has the best version of "Frankie & Johnny" I've ever heard -- courtesy of Sammy Davis Jr.Cyd Charisse is in the top ten of 'the-most-gorgeous-and-talented-women-to-ever-appear-in-movies'. She is displayed like a flawless multi-carat gemstone in "Meet Me in Las Vegas". In fact, there are so many gorgeous women in this movie my eyes bugged out. Wowie-wow-wOw! If you don't like musicals, forget this one, it's just a cute diversion. If you DO like musicals, don't miss this one. It's a tad long, but it's still a winner.

This movie has gotten such a bad rap. No, it's not a Classic MGM musical lin the vain of AN American IN Paris or SINGIN' IN THE RAIN. However, for what it is it stands on its own. Cute story line, lots of cameos from the roaster of MGM stars at the time and some wonderful musical numbers, especially the FRANKIE AND JOHNNIE ballet. That's a must see. Cyd Charisse wasn't the greatest actress but she excels here in her "icy" demeanor and it works well here. Her drunk scene is a stand out. The under rated Cara Williams is a delight and she should have been a bigger star. A reader pointed out that Cyd's husband Tony Martin should have played the role Dan Daily played. Daily was an excellent dancer. Tony doesn't dance, so that would not have worked at all. Why this hasn't been released on DVD is beyond me since so many musicals not as good as this, have been. This is really fine, light, funny entertainment, so unlike movies made today. Lighten up and enjoy.

I thought it was pretty enjoyable but nothing too great. Some good dance scenes with Charisse and the cowhands. Dan Dailey makes a poor stand-in for Howard Keel in my opinion. I like the idea of the set-up of the film, that they are lucky together and fall in love from the magic of the situation. But the film's great weakness was that Paul Henreid's character was too flimsy to represent a believable romantic opponent for Dailey. Therefore the whole end portions of the film feel quite contrived. Also I think the music was not really very memorable or particularly well done. Still, not a terrible way to pass an afternoon or evening.

One of the great blunders committed by MGM was the fact that Cyd Charisse was never cast opposite her husband Tony Martin. Right around this time musicals were winding down, but Tony and Cyd were just getting started on a joint nightclub act that made them a premier attraction around the country for many years.Don't get me wrong, Dan Dailey is a fine performer and he did a good job in the male lead role. But I would love to have seen Tony Martin playing the role of the rancher who gets on a hot winning streak at the Las Vegas casinos after he holds Cyd Charisse's hand. Making matters worse is the fact that Tony Martin does do one of the unbilled cameos in this film.Cyd Charisse has some fine dance numbers, especially the Frankie and Johnny finale where she danced to the famous blues song sung offscreen by Sammy Davis, Jr. Dan Dailey has some good numbers as well, he does a nice soft shoe routine with a young Japanese girl to My Lucky Charm which was earlier sung by Jerry Colonna.The nice thing about this film is the fact that because of the Las Vegas location you can integrate a whole lot of celebrities doing numbers and not have it mess with the story. Lena Horne, Frankie Laine and Jerry Colonna all do some nice musical numbers. Around the casinos one will spot besides Tony Martin, Debbie Reynolds, Peter Lorre, and the man most identified with the Vegas scene shortly, Frank Sinatra.Other members of the cast that have good supporting roles are Jim Backus as the casino manager, Agnes Moorehead as Dailey's mother, and Paul Henreid as Charisse's manager. Some of Henreid's performance seems to be modelled on that of Charisse's first husband Nico, according to the stories Charisse told in her joint memoirs with Tony Martin.Meet Me in Las Vegas is good musical entertainment, but what a blown opportunity not to have had Tony and Cyd as leads in a musical.