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Brigadoon (1954)

Gene Kelly and Van Johnson star as best buddies Tommy Albright and Jeff Douglas in this mystical, romantic tale set in Scotland. Tommy is engaged to marry Jane, and yet feels hesitant about tying the knot. Tired of hectic city life in America, Tommy and Jeff decide to go hunting in Scotland for a week and stumble upon a quaint old village called Brigadoon, which is not on the map. To the men’s surprise, the village seems to be functioning about two hundred years behind the times, complete with a fair being held in the town square. Tommy (Kelly) is … Continue reading →

Tristi’s Favorite Gene Kelly Movies

One of the definite perks of being a movie reviewer is that I get to sit here and sigh, and then tell you why I’m doing it. Gene Kelly . . . sigh. Gene has done scads of fabulous films – I don’t think I’ve ever seen him deliver a bad performance. I’d like to share four of my favorite Gene Kelly films with you right now and tell you why they’ve made this top ten list. 1. Of course, the first on my list would be “Singin’ in the Rain.” Who doesn’t just adore this movie? Gene stars as … Continue reading →

Xanadu (1980)

I’m so confused. If anyone can explain to me what the gods on Mount Olympus care about roller rinks, I’d be so grateful. In the cult favorite “Xanadu,” we meet Sonny Malone, an artist who works taking album covers and painting them extra large for advertisement purposes. He wants to create something more out of his life but doesn’t know how to break out of the rut he’s in. While out wandering around one day, trying to figure out his life, a beautiful woman roller skates up to him, kisses him, then skates off. When he’s given the assignment to … Continue reading →

Take Me Out to the Ballgame (1949)

When we watch a Gene Kelly film, we can be sure there will be dancing. If we watch a Frank Sinatra movie, we know there will be singing. If Esther Williams is the star, we can plan on swimming. So, what do you get when all three of these Hollywood superstars are in the same movie? A singing/dancing musical with swimming, of course! “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” is the story of the Wolves, a baseball team who took the championship the year previously and want to do it again. But their two star players, Ryan and O’Brien, are … Continue reading →

Miracle in the Rain (1956)

“Miracle in the Rain” is a romantic melodrama starring Jane Wyman as Ruth Wood, a shy secretary whose life is devoted to the care of her ailing mother. Years before, Ruth’s father left them, and her mother tried to kill herself. Now she’s in a deep depression and Ruth only leaves her to go to work and to do the shopping. The rest of Ruth’s time is spent in the care of her mother, who uses her depression as a tool to keep Ruth close. She spends her time poisoning Ruth’s mind against men, telling her that men will bring … Continue reading →

Silk Stockings (1957)

This is going to be another flippy-floppy review. On the one hand, “Silk Stockings” stars Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse, so we know we’re in for some great dancing. On the other hand . . . well, I’ll tell you about it as we go. Astaire stars as Steve Canfield, producer of a Hollywood version of “War and Peace.” He has commissioned Russian composer Boroff to write the score, but now that Boroff is in Paris, where the filming will be done, he doesn’t want to go back to Russia. The Soviets send over three agents to investigate, and after … Continue reading →

Marjorie Morningstar (1958)

I almost hate to post this review. I never thought this day would come. But I shall take a deep breath and . . . proceed to state that I hated this Gene Kelly movie. Those of you who follow my reviews know what a big Gene Kelly fan I am, but not for “Marjorie Morningstar.” Our main character is Marjorie Morgenstern (Natalie Wood) the oldest daughter of doting Jewish parents who have raised her with high moral beliefs. She is being courted by a young man named Sandy who wants to marry her, but she wants to experience a … Continue reading →

Rigoletto (1993)

A musical fantasy in the perfect tradition of a modern fairy tale, “Rigoletto” is the story of a man named Ribaldi (Joseph Paur) who moves into the town of Castle Gate. The townspeople are suspicious of him for two reasons –first, he’s able to purchase the largest mansion in town, even though it’s the Depression and money is tight. Second, he’s rumored to be a monster. He never leaves his house and it’s said that he’s horribly disfigured. When eviction notices start to flood the town, it’s suspected that Ribaldi is behind it. He does own the mortgage on the … Continue reading →