DuBarry was a lady, but Lucille Ball wasn't! I came across this musical by accident and the plot indicated in the annotation even seemed funny to me. But after watching the movie, I realized, 'Not all the gold that shines.' It may have something to do with the war (the film was shot in 1943), when the quality of the music films didn't matter. But no! Some musicals from that period were great.
However, the film is more like a concerto, connected with a very weak plot (even for a musical). The plot of the picture is as follows: two people are in love with the singer from the nightclub May Daly: wardrobe Louis Blore and dancer and composer Alec. May is in love with the latter. But she wants to marry some rich man. A cigarette saleswoman from the same club is unrequitedly in love with Louis, but he does not notice her.
One day, Louis wins a large sum at the races. Then he asks for May’s hand and she agrees, although she feels more friendly towards him. After that, Louis, mistakenly drinking out of his glass (there was sleeping pills), falls asleep. He dreams that he became King Louis XV, and May became Madame Du Barry.
I will say right away, this plot could make a great musical comedy, but there is too much music in the film, and the plot very often sags and becomes boring. The actors of the film, too, almost do not add special chic.
Red Skelton plays the role of Louis. Since the early 40s, the actor starred mainly in musicals (until 1953). Yes, he can play, sing and dance, but here his talents look rather dull.
Lucille Ball plays the role of singer May Daly. I don't know if she's a great American comedy actress, but she doesn't really show that kind of talent here. Her singing in the song "DuBarry Was a Lady" duplicates "Martha Mears", but in the song "Friendship" she sings herself. To be honest, the singer from Lucille Ball no.
As you know, Lucille Ball at that time starred mainly in films category B and this film is considered to be her chance for success in the film career. But the film can hardly be called successful.
Gene Kelly plays the role of Alec. A great dancer, singer and actor, but this musical is only his 2nd film role. Kelly’s screen time is limited, so somehow he did not prove himself here, but the future will show what he is capable of. . .
Virginia O’Brien is a great actress and singer, best played in this film the role of a cigarette seller in a nightclub. Especially interesting is the moment she says to Louis:
And when we get married, we'll have our own house and we'll have little ones. Cigars! Cigarettes! Gum!
In general, the film gathered a lot of very talented artists, but could not use their talent properly. The songs are not very memorable, except that 'DuBarry Was a Lady' and 'Salome'. Yes, I still remember Skelton's number 'I Love an Esquire Girl', at the end of which he sings about Lana Turner and Lana really appears in the frame and smiles to the audience for 10 seconds after the end of the number.
The film at one time, and for viewing it can be recommended to viewers interested in the filmography of any of the personalities (Skelton, Ball, Kelly, O'Brien).
P. A small role in the film is played by Ava Gardner (uncredited). She can be seen in the group of girls in the issue 'Ladies of the Bath' Red Skelton
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4 out of 10