Happy Go Lovely

Happy Go Lovely
by H. Bruce Humberstone

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Category: DVD
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DVD Reviews of Happy Go Lovely

DVD Review: a better print, please
Summary: 3 Stars

This print, offered by Alpha Video (Gotham Distribution), is terribly washed out. I was tempted to adjust the contrast so I could distinguish the dancers from the scenery in the opening reel. I wonder if the jewelry that looked like grey stone was actually some shiny precious metal.

I suspect, however, that the original was never great eye candy, since the costumes are quite ugly regardless of color.

As for the movie itself, the musical numbers are all from a show within a show being put on in Scotland by an American producer with no funding. The title, "Frolics to You", signals that the show is horrible, so it should not be surprising that the choreography is mostly dull with strange hand movements. There are some impressive lifts (a one-armed catch-and-lift of Vera-Ellen by her leg bent at the knee caught my attention).

Those who enjoy spotting continuity errors will have a field day with this flick. Costumes that have cleavage when the just-seen underwear could not; shoes that lose their heels mid-dance (the style of dancing changes, necessitating new shoes, but it happens during a stage performance depicted as continuous); using the same dress and jewelry for 2 scenes occuring on 2 different nights...

I did enjoy David Niven's performance, especially when he alternates between stodgy and vulnerable within a few sentences. He is quite believably smitten by Vera-Ellen.

I bought this because I remember seeing and enjoying the film on TV years ago, and because I intend to collect Vera-Ellen DVDs, so I won't be discarding it until a good print is available. But, caveat emptor.