Red Skelton gets top billing here over Lucille Ball and Gene Kelly. This might be considered Red's biggest picture to date, although his earlier "Whistling..." series went over big, but were B pictures. This was Lucy's biggest film to date, as well. Similar for Gene Kelly, although doing his choreography didn't come along until his next film. So what we really have hear is a somewhat weak MGM A musical.
There are a few other things to note in terms of the cast. Virginia O'Brien does her usual shtick here, but it's always entertaining. Rags Ragland is around, as was fairly typical in many Skelton outings (Ragland died 3 years later as a result of alcoholism at the young age of 40). Zero Mostel is unimpressive as a swami. Interestingly, Hugh Beaumont ("Leave It To Beaver's dad) has a minor part as a footman. Donald Meek is around as an income tax collector, as is the perennial maid Louise Beavers...here as Niagara. Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra perform as themselves. Ava Gardner is uncredited as a perfume girl; Marilyn Maxwell uncredited as a calendar girl; Lana Turner as an uncredited guest star. Watch also for Dick Haymes and Jo Stafford in the Pied Pipers. Interestingly, the proprietor of the inn is Mitchell Lewis, who played Mr. DeFarge in "A Tale Of Two Cities" (Ronald Colman version)...and here he is in a farce about the nobles of France.
The early portions of the film are really a somewhat weak variety show of sorts...and you will have to sit through Lucy lip-syncing and Gene Kelly (who had a lousy voice, but has a nice dance number). The movie takes off when Skelton's character (a hat check boy who wins the Irish Sweepstakes) is slipped a mickey and dreams he is King Louis of France, Lucy is Madame DuBarry, and Kelly the Black Arrow. It's about half of the movie and is a funny, outlandish segment. At the end of the segment first Skelton and Lucy (and slowly joined by the other principals) sing the Cole Porter tune in a snappy dance routine; it's great, but just seems to not quite fit as the ending.
There are some fine moments here, but it sort of feels slapped together until one gets to the dream sequence...the highlight of the picture. Probably more fun for fans of Red (like me), Lucy, and Gene Kelly, but I think most will enjoy the light fare...as long as they go in expecting that it's light fare.
There are a few other things to note in terms of the cast. Virginia O'Brien does her usual shtick here, but it's always entertaining. Rags Ragland is around, as was fairly typical in many Skelton outings (Ragland died 3 years later as a result of alcoholism at the young age of 40). Zero Mostel is unimpressive as a swami. Interestingly, Hugh Beaumont ("Leave It To Beaver's dad) has a minor part as a footman. Donald Meek is around as an income tax collector, as is the perennial maid Louise Beavers...here as Niagara. Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra perform as themselves. Ava Gardner is uncredited as a perfume girl; Marilyn Maxwell uncredited as a calendar girl; Lana Turner as an uncredited guest star. Watch also for Dick Haymes and Jo Stafford in the Pied Pipers. Interestingly, the proprietor of the inn is Mitchell Lewis, who played Mr. DeFarge in "A Tale Of Two Cities" (Ronald Colman version)...and here he is in a farce about the nobles of France.
The early portions of the film are really a somewhat weak variety show of sorts...and you will have to sit through Lucy lip-syncing and Gene Kelly (who had a lousy voice, but has a nice dance number). The movie takes off when Skelton's character (a hat check boy who wins the Irish Sweepstakes) is slipped a mickey and dreams he is King Louis of France, Lucy is Madame DuBarry, and Kelly the Black Arrow. It's about half of the movie and is a funny, outlandish segment. At the end of the segment first Skelton and Lucy (and slowly joined by the other principals) sing the Cole Porter tune in a snappy dance routine; it's great, but just seems to not quite fit as the ending.
There are some fine moments here, but it sort of feels slapped together until one gets to the dream sequence...the highlight of the picture. Probably more fun for fans of Red (like me), Lucy, and Gene Kelly, but I think most will enjoy the light fare...as long as they go in expecting that it's light fare.