Lovely to Look at (1952/MGM) You're Devastating!

 

Lovely to Look at (1952) / MGM Studios

 

Directed By: Mervyn Leroy

 

Starring: Howard Keel, Kathryn Grayson, Ann Miller, Red Skelton, Marge/Gower Champion, Zsa Zsa Gabor

Gowns By: Adrian

Plot:


The musical is based on the play/musical from 1935 entitled "Roberta." We meet three good friends being; Tony Naylor (Keel), Al Marsh (Skelton), and Jerry Ralby (Gower Champion). A party is held by the three friends who are looking for big time investors to back the new show they want to put on.

A message comes for Al whose Aunt Roberta has passed away in Paris resulting in him owning half of her elegant clothing boutique. The boutique makes it's own clothing for the best of the best of clients. The three good friends are over the moon of the potential cash windfall that Al has fallen into. The thought is to all over to Paris and see the boutique that could possibly be sold off for a hefty revenue.

The three friends head over to Paris and meet the adopted sisters to the Aunt Roberta who are; Stephanie (Grayson) and Clarisse (Marge Champion). Things do not start off that well since the three friends simply want to do a business transaction and have the two ladies buy Al's shares out. Unfortunately, the boutique is not what it once was as a thriving shop but one that is about to close it's doors.

Tony right off takes note to the beautiful Stephanie and blames her for the poor business with the poor and older looking clothing line. They exchange words and the passion starts! What is decided is that a Broadway style review is needed at the boutique after the clothing line is spruced up and brought awake again. Tony thinks this is a must and Al/ Jerry agrees. By doing this, Al can sell his half off and go back to Broadway. The bankers listen to Tony's ideas for the boutique and buy into with backing and advancing more money for the endeavor. Enters Bubbles a showgirl and a flame for Tony who is in Paris with her man.

Beautiful dance numbers ensue for all actors to take part. Zsa Zsa is a famous model in Paris who wears the boutiques clothing in it's elaborate runway show. With Jerome Kern's music in place it is a lovely classic to watch!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Johnny Eager (1941) "Taylor 'n Turner = TNT!"

Johnny Eager (1941) / MGM Studios

Directed By: Mervyn LeRoy

Starring: Robert Taylor, Lana Turner, Edward Arnold, & Van Heflin

Tagline: "TNT - Taylor 'n Turner - Together They're Terrific!"

Plot:

The 1940's film noir centers on Johnny Eager (Taylor) who looks like a kind man on the outter service as a taxie driver which makes his parole officer happy. Behind closed doors Johnny is a well known head of a gambling syndicate. Johnny's parole officer, A.J. Verne then introduces him to a beautiful blonde socialite named Lizbeth "Liz" Bard (Turner).

From that moment on, the two meet they can not keep their eyes off each other and are instantly attracted. They could not be any happier together until Johnny discovers that Liz is stepdaughter to John Benson Farrell (Arnold) which happens to be his long time enemy which makes things a bit bit more interesting. John actually was the person who got Johnny into prison in the first place so there is a lot of tension brewing between the both. John Farrell is now a district attorney and is keeping Johnny's race track from opening in any way possible.

Now, the decision has been made that Liz will be used as a pawn for Johnny against her stepfather. A set-up is done for Johnny to be in a fake brawl that guns will be brought out and have Liz in the room to witness it all. Julio one of Jonhnny's boy's busts in and brings a gun in and starts to fight. Liz is horrified at the site of her beloved perhaps going to be killed. The men start to struggle and the gun filled with blanks is tossed on the ground and Liz leaps for it and shoots and kills Julio in order to protect Johnny. Johnny quickly takes his dame out of the room to not see the dead man with blood wounds from being shot. What Liz does not know is that she shot from a gun filled with blanks and that the blood on Julio was in fact ketchup. The scenario that Johnny wanted was a true success. The next part of the plan he did was to bring it to Liz's stepfather and notify him of her killing someone but rathering than telling the media and bringing it to the authorities he asks for the injunction on his race track to be removed and it to be able to open. The stepfather John gives in and allows the injunction to be removed in return for Liz's freedom and the murder to go under the carpets for good.

More twists and turns happen in this classic film happen to Johhny and Liz, shall they end up together in this twisted game being played with all the crime in the background one will have to watch to find out!!