Love Is Better Than Ever (1952)

The same year as he co-directed the classic SINGIN' IN THE RAIN, Stanley Donen directed this mindless romantic comedy about a small town dance teacher (Elizabeth Taylor) who goes to New York and falls in love a Broadway agent and man about town (Larry Parks THE JOLSON STORY). It’s “love” for her but just another fling to him. The idea of the most beautiful girl in the world pining away for the homely Parks stretches the limits of disbelief but if they at least had some chemistry, it would go down easier. There’s no charm to the story but plenty of attention paid to the “adorable” moppets that are Taylor’s dance students. We’re supposed to coo over them as they dance out of step and stare at the camera. Tom Tully, Josephine Hutchinson and Elinor Donohue co-star and even Gene Kelly shows up.