Easter Parade Details

Joyful, easy-going musical that's a perfect remedy if you need uplifting

Easter Parade is really just a showcase for the talents of Fred Astaire, Judy Garland and Irving Berlin. The plot is wafer thin, but no matter, because that just leaves more room for wall-to-wall song and dance. If you are ever feeling low and in need of a pick-me-up, then you can't do better than spend an hour and forty minutes in the company of this movie. There are some classic numbers, beginning with Astaire's astounding performance in Drum Crazy and his incredible slow motion sequence in Stepping Out With My Baby. Incidentally the latter shows the artistry with which this film was put together, because the optical compositing of Astaire's slow motion sequence, against the chorus line at the back dancing in real time, is absolutely seamless and rivals some of the very best digital compositing being undertaken in movies today. On top of all that Garland gives emotional renditions of several classic numbers and you get to see Ann Miller dancing her legs off too. Accompanying the film is an interesting documentary with anecdotes from Miller and screenwriter Sheldon, and additional comments from Astaire's daughter and Garland's biographer. The latter two also feature in a commentary track, although this largely repeats information that is in the documentary. There are also a selection of original trailers for Judy Garland movies and some raw footage from the Mr Monotony number that was eventually cut from the final movie. This is interesting because it shows how the song and dance numbers were filmed by miming to a pre-recorded track, but, ironically, there's so much of it that it does end up becoming monotonous. All in all though, a very good DVD of a very enjoyable and joyful movie. Recommended.

[Highly rated reviewer]

A Parade of Talent

Though Fred Astaire was a little too old and crusty for his part, he, Judy Garland, Ann Miller and everthing else makes this an enjoyable musical - just watch the performance of 'A Couple of Swells' for an fine example of professionalism, charm and talent at its peak