WORDS AND MUSIC

US, 1948, 121 minutes, Colour.
Tom Drake, Mickey Rooney, Perry Como, Mel Torme, Betty Garrett, June Allyson, Lena Horne, Ann Sothern, Allyn McLerie?, Gene Kelly, Vera Ellen, Cyd Charisse, Janet Leigh, Marshall Thompson.
Directed by Norman Taurog.

Words and Music is a lavish M.G.M. musical about the collaboration of Richard Rogers and Lorenz Hart. In the mid?'40s musical biographies were popular - Cole Porter and Night and Day, George Gershwin and Rhapsody in Blue, Jerome Kern and Till the Clouds Roll By. This is a rather glamorised story of the songwriters. In fact, Hart was a lonely homosexual who had an alcohol problem and died young. This may be suggested in the undertones of the screenplay but is not particularly evident. Mickey Rooney tries hard to portray the complexities of the character. Tom Drake has an easier task in portraying Richard Rodgers with some charm. Rodgers, of course, was to go on to a new career and success in collaboration with Oscar Hammerstein. A lot of the M.G.M. stars have dramatic roles and a lot of the superstars make guest appearances for songs and dances. The musical numbers are the highlight of the film. Direction is by Norman Taurog, a veteran of many M.G.M. musicals and comedies, later to work with Martin and Lewis and Elvis Presley. Choreography is by regular M.G.M. choreographer Robert Alton. Gene Kelly choreographed his own version of Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, danced with Vera Ellen.

1. An entertaining musical? The portrayal of a song writing collaboration and its success? The story of the American musical?

2. M.G.M. production values - colour photography, re-creation of the period, the use of the stars? The insertion of the musical numbers? A film of technical bravura?

3. The conventions of the musical biography? an outline of facts, basic information - then romanticised for conventional plot? How acceptable as entertainment? As biography? The glimpses of creative collaboration - musical composition. creation of lyrics? The production of songs, musicals?

4. The portrait of Hart and Rodgers? Hart as the eccentric spoilt and only son? His relationship with his mother? Shyness and awkwardness, moodiness? Erratic behaviour and humour? His seeming ignoring of people? Rodgers not knowing how to deal with him? Perseverance? His creating of lyrics e.g. 'Manhattan'? And the ability to do several things at once? His infatuation with the singer ? the proposal, her refusal, his loneliness, going out to Hollywood, wanting her in the musical? His relationship with his mother? Wealth and extravagance? Friendship with Rodgers? Parties in Hollywood? The seemingly empty life despite success? Mickey Rooney's skill in portraying this character? Tom Drake more straightforward as Rodgers? earnest, a man of musical skill. charm? His wanting to give up? The support of his family? His falling in love with Julie? Marriage? Coping with Hart? Success?

5. The sketching of the supporting characters and their highlighting Rodgers and Hart ? Hart's mother and her concern, Julie and her love for Rodgers, Julie's family, the friends of Rodgers and Hart, the girl with whom Hart was infatuated etc.?

6. The M.G.M. stars and their performing the Rodgers and Hart songs? As characters in the film? AS musical inserts? The popularity of Rodgers and Hart music? The clever lyrics? Judy Garland and Johnny One -Note, I Wish I Were In Love Again; Betty Garrett and There's a Small Hotel, Perry Como and Blue Room and Mountain Greenery, Lena Horne and The Lady is a Tramp, Where or When, Mickey Rooney and Manhattan, Gene Kelly and Vera- Ellen dancing the jazz ballet, Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, June Allyson and the song from Connecticut Yankee, songs by Ann Sothern, Mel Torme, songs and dances by Cyd Charisse?

7. The contribution of the M.G.M. musical to the development of cinema styles? Cinema entertainment?