We all are aware by now that Judy Garland was to star in the film and that she was replaced by Hutton after several days shooting. As great a musical star as Garland was, this may have been a good thing. Betty Hutton shines in the title role..brassy,emotional and full of life.
Howard Keel,fresh from his London success in "Oklahoma" is sheer perfection as Frank Butler, stealing scenes with such numbers as "My Defenses are Down" and "The Girl That I Marry".Benay Venuta also gets her share of scene stealing as Frank's flamboyant assistant Dolly Tate, and Keenan Wynn has just the right amount of huckster in him to make Charlie Davenort memorable.J. Carrol Nash as Sitting Bull has some of the films funniest moments, and Louis Calhern, stepping in for the late Frank Morgan, handles Buffalo Bill Cody with the skill of a great character actor.
other musical highlights are "Doing What Comes Naturally" belted with gusto by Hutton, "Col. Buffalo Bill" smartly sung by Wynn,Venuta & Keel, and the famous "No Business Like Show Business" featuring Wynn,Calhern & Keel.
This is truly one of the best stage to screen adaptations to come along.
Howard Keel,fresh from his London success in "Oklahoma" is sheer perfection as Frank Butler, stealing scenes with such numbers as "My Defenses are Down" and "The Girl That I Marry".Benay Venuta also gets her share of scene stealing as Frank's flamboyant assistant Dolly Tate, and Keenan Wynn has just the right amount of huckster in him to make Charlie Davenort memorable.J. Carrol Nash as Sitting Bull has some of the films funniest moments, and Louis Calhern, stepping in for the late Frank Morgan, handles Buffalo Bill Cody with the skill of a great character actor.
other musical highlights are "Doing What Comes Naturally" belted with gusto by Hutton, "Col. Buffalo Bill" smartly sung by Wynn,Venuta & Keel, and the famous "No Business Like Show Business" featuring Wynn,Calhern & Keel.
This is truly one of the best stage to screen adaptations to come along.