Easter Parade

Buy This Item Easter Parade by MGM (Video & DVD)  Available from Amazon  $14.98  on 10-31-2008     Don Hewes (Fred Astaire) is devastated when his longtime dancing partner, Nadine Hale (Ann Miller), breaks up the team to set out on her own. Determined to prove that he can succeed without her, Astaire vows that he can pick any random chorus girl and make her a star. Fortunately for him, the chorus girl he picks happens to be one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century, Judy Garland (playing Hannah Brown). <I>Easter Parade</I> turned out to be the first and only collaboration between the two screen legends. Garland made the 1948 film despite ongoing health problems then had to pull out of a planned follow-up, <I>The Barkleys of Broadway</I> (Ginger Rogers replaced her); Astaire had retired following <I>Blue Skies</I> in 1946 but was brought in for this film as an emergency replacement after Gene Kelly broke his ankle playing touch football. Fortunately, <I>Easter Parade</I> always feels like an Astaire film rather than a Kelly film, from its <I>Pygmalion</I>-esque plot (which helps explain the principals' 23-year age disparity) to its score of Irving Berlin standards (some new, some recycled from earlier films). The film capitalizes on the strengths of both stars, Astaire in dance solos, including "Drum Crazy" and "Steppin' Out with My Baby" (MGM's take on Astaire's earlier, persona-defining "Top Hat, White Tie, and Tails"), and Garland in vocal solos, including the torchy "Better Luck Next Time." The stars especially shine, however, when they perform together in their vaudeville numbers, most notably the persona-defying hobo routine "We're a Couple of Swells." Watch this classic every Easter. <I>--David Horiuchi</I> Reader Reviews Easter Parade, the movie, is a classic that those with dementia will enjoy especially during the Easter season. Folks with dementia feel a special connection to the classic musicals. The songs are familiar to them. They often will sing along. The music uplifts them. The dancing and the drama are exciting. This movie will put a dementia person in the Easter spirit. Buy them a new Easter bonnet to complete the experience. Watch this movie with someone you love whether they have dementia or not for a terrific Easter day. By Susan Berg author ofAdorable Photographs of Our Baby: Meaningful, Mind Stimulating Activities and More for the Memory Challenged, Their Loved Ones, and Involved Professionals a book for those with dementia and an excellent resource for caregivers and healthcare professionals

Easter Parade Available from Amazon Price: $14.98 Updated on 10-31-2008.

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