Of enjoyable MGM musical The Belle Of New York, The Observer said, ‘…in its new way seems to be one of the most refreshing musicals Hollywood has sent us for a long time’. It was produced by the legendary Arthur Freed, among whose pictures were the great musicals such as Babes in Arms (1939), Meet Me in St Louis (1944), Ziegfeld Follies (1946), On the Town (1949, Take Me Out to the Ball Game , An American In Paris (1951), Singin’ in the Rain (1952), Band Wagon (1953) and Gigi (1958).
Freed had originally intended to make The Belle of New York in 1946 with Fred Astaire and Judy Garland but the project was dropped when Garland dropped out during rehearsals. However, the production was reactivated for ASTAIRE. Based on a successful 1897 stage show, Astaire was cast as a playboy who had left five brides at the altar, finally to fall for straight-laced Salvation Army lass VERA-ELLEN.
The score features eight new songs by Harry Warren and Johnny Mercer, among them Seeing’s Believing , Naughty But Nice, Baby Doll, Who Wants To Kiss the Bridegroom and a song that was destined to become an Astaire trademark, I Wanna Be a Dancin’ Man.
Director Charles Walters had originally wanted Mae West for the role of VERA-ELLEN’s aunt but she wanted too much money. But a strong cast and top notch songs and magnificent choreography made this a hit and the sequence of Astaire and Vera-Ellen literally dancing on air to the tune of Seeing’s Believing remains one of the classics of the musical.
production details
USA | MGM | 82 minutes | 1952
Writers: Robert O’Brien, Irving Ellinson
Adaptation: Chester Erskine From the musical play by Hugh Morton and Gustave Kerker
Music and Lyrics: Johnny Mercer, Harry Warren
Cinematography: Robert Planck
Producer: Arthur Freed
Director: Charles Walters
cast
Keenan Wynn as Max Ferris
Tom Dugan as With Wedding Gift of Stolen Silver (uncredited)
Marjorie Main as Mrs Phineas Hill
Fred Astaire as Charlie Hill
Vera-Ellen as Angela Bonfils
Alice Pearce as Elsie Wilkins
Clinton Sundberg as Gilford Spivak
Gale Robbins as Dixie ‘Deadshot’ McCoy
Ed Haskett as Supper Club Patron (uncredited)