THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT III
A film review by Wendy E. Betts
Copyright 1994 Wendy E. Betts
After using all of the most beautiful and spectacular numbers from MGM musicals in the first two THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT movies, what could they find to put in a third? Some backstage shots, rare outakes, and surprising amount of lesser known numbers that make up in enthusiasm and novelty what they may lack in style or elegance. The result is an enjoyable pastiche that's a special kick for musical buffs.
THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT III shows numbers from MGM musicals, from the first filmed vaudeville routines to Elvis Presley in JAILHOUSE ROCK. Included are rare songs cut from THE HARVEY GIRLS, EASTER PARADE, THE BANDWAGON and others. Split-screens are used for some interesting effects: in one number, we see Eleanor Powell dancing on one half of the screen, while the other shows the number being filmed and sets being moved around so the camera is always on her. An even more effective use of split-screen shows two version of the same dance by Fred Astaire, revealing the incredible precision of his dancing.
It seems to be a rule that these movies have to have commentary more fulsome and tedious than a TV awards show. I found the commentary for THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT III--done by Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Micky Rooney, Esther Williams, Ann Miller, Cyd Charisse, Lena Horne, June Allyson and Howard Keel--somewhat less annoying than the previous films, except when it repeats their jokes. Lena Horne is even permitted to make a few comments on the racism that interfered with her MGM career. But nothing is really allowed to interfere with the rosy nostalgic glow the movie tries to create, which is tedious but bearable. Less bearable are the technical errors in the movie, primarily Technicolor scenes restored so badly they are literally painful to watch--surely it shouldn't be that difficult to get a decent copy of "Fit as a Fiddle" from "Singin' in the Rain"? Fortunately, these problems seem confined to the first half of the film.
Overall, THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT III is pretty much more of the same. I would have been happy to see less flash and more substance--but there's no denying, it's a delight to see these wonderful songs and dances, especially on a big screen. If you're the kind of person who dances out the theatre after seeing a musical, don't miss it.
-- Wendy E. Betts Editor, The WEB web@armory.com
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