|
|
Rhapsody in Blue 
Actors : Robert Alda, Joan Leslie, Alexis Smith, Charles Coburn, Julie Bishop
Director : Irving Rapper
Studio : MGM (Video & DVD)
by MGM (Video & DVD)
Release Date : 1998-09-01
Publisher : MGM (Video & DVD)
Availability : Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Number of Items : 1
EAN : 9786302120547
UPC : 027616114938
Avg. Customer Rating: (based on 9 reviews)
List Price : $19.98
Our Price : $29.98
|
|
| |
|
Essential for the Music |
|
As a Hollywood biopic this is only average. Too much of the film is devoted to Gershwin's supposed romantic involvement with two women, who are both entirely fictional. Far more important in reality was his friendship with Oscar Levant, who was not only the composer's best friend but also after his death was widely recognized as the most authoritative interpreter of his major works for piano, Rhapsody in Blue and Concerto in F. Levant's presence in the film lends it some historical authenticity. Also present are Al Jolson, a legendary figure in the history of American popular entertainment and the interpreter of Gershwin's single most popular song, "Swanee", and Paul Whiteman, the bandleader who collaborated with Gershwin in the premiere of Rhapsody in Blue. (Fred Astaire is sorely missed.) There is also a superb--I do not use the word lightly--extended three song set by singer/pianist Hazel Scott (who later married the controversial minister/politician Adam Clayton Powell Jr.) about halfway through the film. It has absolutely nothing to do with the plot but is magnificent nonetheless. Robert Alda deserves to be remembered perhaps not for his work in this film but for his origination of the role of gambler Sky Masterson in the great musical Guys and Dolls. |
| |
|
First the bad news |
|
This is one of those films that seems WAY longer than it actually is, and it's not exactly short to begin with. Second, I can think of better leads than Alda. But he was actually better than I'd thought he'd be. What makes this film a little gem is seeing people like Hazel Scott act and perform, as well as all the great music and historical perspective the film offers. Hopefully, we'll be seeing it on DVD soon. |
| |
|
Not historically accurate, but still good fun. |
|
Robert Alda stars in this odd, melodramatic potboiler which looks at the rags-to-rich (and more riches) rise of one of America's greatest popular composers. The film is hampered by a few small points, one being that Gershwin's life doesn't readily lend itself to dramatic portrayal (until the very end, when he drops dead at a very young age, and your jaw just drops)... The problem is that guy was just too darn successful! He hit a groove and never stopped, moving from one huge critical success to another (with one or two flops in between)... The scriptwriters were obviously aware of this, and insert several belabored sequences wherein Gershwin anguishes over this or that, and a couple of sniffly, symbolic deathbed scenes, just for good measure. Other problems include Alda himself (yes, he's Alan's dad...) who isn't completely up to the role, as well as the weak portrayal of George's brother Ira, a super-brilliant, super-important lyricist, who is here presented as a mere hanger-on and cheerleader for his brother, the big-shot genius. Hello? Excuse me... Ira Gershwin?!? Of the Gershwin brothers? Oh, forget it. Oh, also check out Gershwin's kooky pal Oscar Levant, who plays himself, in a somewhat true-to-life portrayal as George's confidant and stand-in concertizer. Other celebrities who play themselves here include Al Jolson and bandleader Paul Whiteman... and the music, of course, can't be beat. |
| |
|
S'wonderful! |
|
This is a wonderful movie. I am a little upset that is not easily available right now, and I will have to wait for the price to go down before I buy it. Check out the Gershwinfan.com site if you are interested in Gershwin. |
| |
|
21 minutes, a very important piece. |
|
I discovered this movie back in the early 60's when i use to collect vintage 35mm movie prints. This is the only works i've ever seen of George Gershwin. A pleasant surprise for me was an actress named Alexis Smith. Little did i know that one day i would work with her in "Follies" on Broadway. Pure class Alexis was.But i digress. "Rhapsody in Blue" is one of those great Warner Brothers musicals that have countess number of production numbers in them. One of my favorites is "Blue Monday Blues." The music is beautiful and would also make my eyes tear-up. This is a wonderful classic that you can watch over and over again. With todays technology i only hope that someone will invest the time to transfer it to DVD and maybe rechannel the sound to 5.1? or is that asking for to much.If you can, get this one for your collection, i promise you won't be disappointed especially when they play "The Rhapsody in Blue." Hmmm, now that i wrote this, i think i watch it again. |
| |
|
