Three Little Words
Directed by Richard Thorpe
Written by George Wells
1950/USA
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box]Bert Kalmar: I could tell you what I think of you in just three little words. You’re a dope![/box]
This is a pleasant musical biopic with some nice dancing from Fred Astaire and Vera Ellen.
It is 1920 and Bert Kalmer (Fred Astaire) and Jesse Brown (Vera Ellen) have a popular song and dance act in vaudeville. He is crazy about magic and also writes the music for their act. He wants her to marry him but she thinks he is too driven to settle down. He asks her to tell him when she is ready to say yes. Bert breaks his kneecap and will be laid up for several months. She now accepts his proposal. Now he refuses because he fears he will be unable to support her. Hurt, she leaves the act.
Harry Ruby (Red Skelton) is a failed song writer who is currently plugging a tune set to some lyrics about “Araby”. A promoter is not buying and orders the errand boy to assist with Bert’s new magic act. This involves shuffling numerous rabbits, doves, and one vicious goose and Harry is a disaster, turning Burt’s class act into an uproarious comedy routine.
Sometime later and Bert is trying his hand as a songwriter. He is better at lyrics than composing. When a music promoter introduces him to Harry, Bert can’t place him. Harry tries out a tune and this becomes “My Sunny Tennessee” with Harry’s lyrics. By the time Bert recognizes Harry, the song is a hit and all is forgiven. The pair go on to one success after another. Harry brings Jessie and Burt back together and they go on to marry. The three are fast friends.
Jessie and Bert break up a couple of Harry’s ill-advised romances by sending the baseball fanatic off to spring training. Then Harry returns the favor by wrecking the financing on a bad play Bert has written. When Burt finds out he is furious and the partnership seems to be over. Can Jesse and Harry’s new wife patch things up? Of course they can. With Keenan Wynn as Bert’s manager and Arlene Dahl as Harry’s wife.
I enjoyed this one. The script is good and we get a number of standards the team wrote including: “Who’s Sorry Now”; “Nevertheless”; “I Wanna Be Loved By You” and the title tune. It’s not too silly and even a bit sweet. Everything I’m looking for in a musical really.
Debbie Reynolds’ screen debut was in this film. André Previn was nominated for an Oscar for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture.
Clip – she’s lip synching to the voice of Helen Kane, the original Betty Boop
