THREE SAILORS AND A GIRL

US, 1953, 95 minutes, Colour.
Jane Powell, Gordon Macrae, Gene Nelson.
Directed by Roy del Ruth.

One of the many musicals presented by Warner Brothers in the early fifties. Gordon Macrae and Gene Nelson were regular stars. Jane Powell was on loan from M.G.M. for this film and it is one of her least interesting. Her singing of Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me or I'll Scream must be one of the most strange moments in the history of American musicals. The film does not do her musical talent justice. It is conventional material of put on the show despite all the difficulties. There is a humorous cameo by Burt Lancaster at the end. This is a very average example of a very popular genre of the forties and fifties.

1. The appeal of the American musical? The quality of this film as an example?

2. The musical conventions and genre: sailors on leave, the investment of money, the fast talk about putting on the show, the hard work at putting on the show, songs, dances, romance, difficulties, final success? How did this film compare with so many others of its kind?

3. Colour photography? The appeal of the stars? Their singing, dancing, comedy routines? Special effects especially in the staging of the show?

4. The basic plot and its constant use? Its appeal to the audience? The world of sailors on leave and the humorous irony of their investing their money? The heroes and their being naive men on the town, the fast talk of the agent, the investment of the money, their being tricked? Their deciding to change the show? The success of the show and their participation in it? The ups and downs of creditors?

5. Gordon Macrae as a pleasant hero? Serious-minded, his falling in love, his changing the show and his inability to see how it didn't work, his change of heart and the happy ending? His two friends and their support, singing and dancing routines, comedy? The heroine and her attractiveness, her strident singing, her semi-operatic singing? Dancing? Romance? Her change of heart after tricking Choir Boy? The happy ending?

6. The ups and downs of romance within the context of the show must go on? how well done, comically, satirically, sentimentally?

7. The minor characters especially the stars of the show, the people involved in the theatre, the agent and his deals, his secretary? The double-dealing in the selling of the show especially at the end?

8. The song and dance routines and their appeal, staging? The special cameo of Burt Lancaster and its humour?

9. The basic ingredients of Americana: success, romance, right and wrong, truth? how does this film compare with so many of its kind?