Give A Girl A Break
Warner Bros. (1953)
Musical
In Collection
#5259
0*
Seen ItYes
883316219799
  6.3
1 hr 22 mins USA / English
DVD  Region 1   NR
Debbie Reynolds Suzy Doolittle
Marge Champion Madelyn Corlane
Gower Champion Ted Sturgis
Helen Wood Joanna Moss / Mrs. Olga Bradshaw
Bob Fosse Bob Dowdy
Kurt Kasznar Leo Belney
Richard Anderson Burton Bradshaw
William Ching Anson Prichett
Lurene Tuttle Mrs. Doolittle
Larry Keating Felix Jordan
Donna Martell Janet Hallson
Dorothy Abbott Chorine
Director
Stanley Donen
Producer Jack Cummings
Writer Vera Caspary
Frances Goodrich


This is a little gem for those wanting a bit of relaxed entertainment. Unfortunately it came in a period when Kelly/Donen were setting a new standard for big production and very rapid pacing, so it was out of fashion and ignored. Everyone is charming; Marge and Gower Champion are at their peak, Bob Fosse is just hitting his stride (amusing that his screen persona was so charmingly little-boyish, in contrast to the dark angular sexiness of his later stage choreographies), and Debbie Reynolds is pixie-ish as ever. Helen Wood was not a great actress, but she was necessary to provide an additional dance flavor (see below).

To differ from another reviewer, I think that Kurt Kaznar was perfect for the Leo Belney part, at least as it was written. He carries off being totally suggestible, changing opinion instantly, and having an equal conviction in each new attitude.

Though they don't make a big deal about it, the film was mirroring a real conundrum facing Broadway directors at that period: what kind of dance to use? Tap was still around but on its way out; a kind of jazz-ballet blend was becoming mainstream; the avant-garde was a more dramatic and angular "modern" dance. Which would the public go for in the next show?
Edition Details
Edition Warner Archive Collection
Release Date 11/17/2009
Packaging Keep Case
Screen Ratio Fullscreen (4:3)
Audio Tracks Dolby Digital Mono [English]
Stereo [English]
No. of Disks/Tapes 1