HOLIDAY IN MEXICO

US, 1946, 127 minutes, Colour.
Jane Powell, Walter Pidgeon, Ilona Massey, Jose Iturbi, Roddy McDowell?, Hugo Haas, Xavier Cugat and his orchestra.
Directed by George Sidney.

Holiday in Mexico introduced Jane Powell to the screen in 1946. It was the beginning of a successful ten-year career in film to he followed later by clubs and television performances. Jane Powell was introduced in the Deanna Durban style - and in fact his film resembles many Deanna Durban vehicles.

Tie plot is slight. Waiter Pidgeon exercises his charm as an American Ambassador. He uses his wise style in bringing up his only daughter. Ilona Massey has the chance for a song and is an exotic leading lady. However, the file is often stolen by 16-year-old Roddy McDowell? as the gawky son of the British Ambassador, he shows a flair for comedy. Jose Iturbi (and his sister Amparo) who appeared in many MGM musicals at the time, appears as himself and is involved in the plot, an object of Jane's infatuation.

There is a range of semi-operatic singing, lturbi's piano style, Xavier Cugat's orchestra and sone Texican music. Director George Sidney (very busy at this time, Anchors Aweigh, The Harvey Girls) has a number of reflection devices to highlight the piano-playing.

The film has a theme of the young girl, spoilt by her father and trying to organise his life, hurt by his attentions to an old friend. It is humorous in its presentation of children's tantrums.

However, the film is yet another of the very many lavishly-made MGM musicals.