Rich, Young and Pretty

RICH, YOUNG AND PRETTY is a perfect example of how not to film a musical. First of all, the script is a shambles, even if Sidney Sheldon did have a hand in it. The story is trite from beginning to end, Jane Powell's voice is completely wasted with forgettable songs, and I kept thinking how this was the sort of plot featured in so many Deanna Durbin films--but done with more skill and polish for Durbin.

As bad as the film is, there are a couple of compensations. First, Danielle Darrieux is charming and skillful in her role as Jane's mother, even tossing off a few songs in a professional manner. Her song partner, Fernando Lamas, has a rather thankless role but reveals a fine baritone voice for a couple of uninspired songs.

Wendell Corey sports a mustache and seems to be filling in for Walter Pidgeon, as someone else suggested. Nevertheless, his is a pleasantly foolish role and he plays it with style, even when forced to warble off key in a silly nightclub number.

For Jane Powell's fans, there is nothing distinctive about the songs she's given to sing. In fact, all of the best numbers are delivered by Danielle Darrieux who does well by them.

The whole plot is so irritatingly simple-minded, with Vic Damone giving his worst performance ever in a romantic leading role and never bothering to sound the least bit like the Frenchman he's supposed to be. Jane is a rich girl who doesn't find out until the film's last moments that Darrieux is the mother who deserted her father way back when. And naturally, in time for the last clinch, Jane's father decides it's okay for her to marry the Frenchman (Damone).

The artificial MGM settings are rigged to make us believe we're in Paris, but even that doesn't work. For an MGM musical of the '50s, this one is the pits. It's really a B-film wrapped up in A-film status but not making the grade.