ROSE MARIE

US, 1954, 115 minutes, Colour.
Howard Keel, Ann Blyth, Fernando Lamas, Bert Lahr, Marjorie Main, Ray Collins.
Directed by Mervyn Le Roy.

Rose Marie is a pleasant, but low-key, Cinemascope and colour remake of a Rudolph Friml, Oscar Hammerstein musical. Filmed in 1928, it was an important vehicle for Nelson Eddy and Jeanette Mac Donald (with James Stewart - and even David Niven in the supporting cast). It had great reputation in its time. Howard Keel was very popular at M.G.M. in the early '50S (Showboat etc.) and Ann Blyth had made The Student Prince, The Great Caruso and was to make Kismet. Fernando Lamas has also appeared in many M.G.M. musicals. There is humorous support from Bert Lahr and Marjorie Main. Direction is by Mervyn Le Roy who started with gangster films and thrillers and moved into big-budget romantic dramas at M.G.M. Choreography is by Busby Berkeley.

1. A pleasant Hollywood musical? Comparisons with the Nelson Eddy Jeanette Mac Donald version? The appeal of operetta on screen? In the '50s? Later?

2. Colour photography, Cinemascope? Canadian scenery? Studio sets? The musical score - the Friml music - especially The Mounties Song, The Indian Love Call, Rose Marie? The romantic ballads? The comic Mountie getting his man' - and Bert Lahr's style? The popularity of the music? The contribution of the lyrics? The placing of the songs throughout the film - as set pieces, as part of the action? The choreography of the Indian celebrations and rituals?

3. The conventions of operetta: the heroine and her decisions, the hero and his heroism, the villain and the romantic complications? Comic support? How well handled in this version?

4. Operetta and its treatment of basic romantic issues? Love, self-sacrifice, suspicion?

5. Howard Keel as Mike Malone and the heroic Mountie? His work? Promotion? Mission to get Rose Marie, falling in love with her, sacrificing her to Duval? His suspicions about Duval and the investigation? The comedy with Barney McCorkle? His giving up Rose Marie at the end?

6. Ann Blyth's style as Rose Marie? The tomboy? Her being transformed into a woman after her training with the Mounties? The dance, the robbery? The attraction to Duval? Her believing his innocence? Testing out love? The jealousy of Wanda? The Indian Love Call and her going to Duval at the end?

7. Duval: Fernando Lamas' charm and style, the trapper, wanting to buy the Indian land, the bargaining with the Indians, the gift for Wanda and his giving it to Rose Marie, the attempted robbery, the dance with Rose Marie, the accusations, the trial, his vindication and escape?

8. The presentation of the Indians - operetta style? The chief - and Wanda killing him? Her attempt on Duval? Her jealousy? Malone getting the truth from her? Her contribution to the choreography -with the jealousy of Rose Marie?

9. Marjorie main's raucous style as Lady Jane? Bert Lahr's comedy as Barney - his song, wanting promotions, and his finally receiving the medal? Ray Collins as Inspector Appleby?

10. The background of the life of the Mounties? Training, good spirit? The comparison with the Indian lifestyle? Romanticised?

11. A memorable musical? Entertainment?