Ziegfeld Follies (1946)

A gorgeous three strip Technicolor plotless extravaganza utilizing several directors including Vincente Minnelli, George Sidney and Charles Walters in an attempt to recreate a contemporary version of the Ziegfeld Follies by way of song and dance and comedy routines as supervised by Ziegfeld himself (William Powell) in Heaven. In a piecemeal variety anthology like this, the results are bound to be hit and miss. Fortunately, they’re mostly hit. Among the highlights: the excitement of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly dancing together for the first time in The Babbitt And The Bromide, the stunning Limehouse Blues production number danced by Astaire and Lucille Bremer, the sultry Love as sung by Lena Horne, the comedic and witty Madame Crematon performed by Judy Garland and a chance to see the legendary Fanny Brice strut her comedy chops. Among the clunkers: James Melton and Marion Bell in a dull duet from La Traviata and a ear piercing shrieking Kathryn Grayson singing amongst the soap suds. With Lucille Ball, Cyd Charisse, Esther Williams, Victor Moore, Red Skelton, Keenan Wynn, Hume Cronyn, Virginia O’Brien, Edward Arnold and William Frawley.