That's Entertainment III

Buy This Item That's Entertainment III by MGM (Video & DVD)  Available from Amazon  $14.95  on 10-31-2008     Some of the most impressive numbers from the golden era of MGM musicals are contained in this video, the third of the <I>That's Entertainment</I> films. Have no fear that the studio was scraping the bottom of the barrel when assembling these clips after having produced two earlier films using the same formula. In fact, it can be argued that this particular compilation would be attractive to a general audience of today, as it contains a wealth of material that hasn't been widely seen. And almost none of it would be produced today, as these complicated dance scenes would simply be too expensive to film in the modern era. An example is a lavish production number featuring the great dancer Eleanor Powell seen in split screen, so the viewer watching the video can see not only what the movie audience saw, but what the soundstage looked like as a small army of stagehands performed artful illusions by removing gigantic portions of the stage as Powell danced across it. Interesting outtakes featuring Judy Garland and Lena Horne are also featured, and former MGM musical stars who introduce the production numbers (and provide background on the filming) include Gene Kelly and Esther Williams. The title doesn't lie: it's all entertaining. <I>--Robert J. McNamara</I> Reader Reviews THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT 3 is the final installment of the ENTERTAINMENT trilogy, that features older versions of the stars we came to love and recognize presenting a series of clips from their best-known movies, as well as outtakes with alternative choreoography, costumes and [sometimes] performers. Some of my favorites from here include Cyd Charisse, in TORCH SONG, which was brought to film with Joan Crawford in a costume gawdy enough to make her look like a drag queen, and make-up reminiscent of minstrel shows (it really offended me, actually!), Fred Astaire's alternate version of "I Want To Be a Dancing Man," dressed as a bartender, instead of in his "standard" tuxedo, and Ava Gardner singing "Can't Help Loving That Man of Mine," in SHOW BOAT, without help from the dub artist, as the film later appeared in theatres. What makes THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT 3 especially stand out was a great appearance from Lena Horne. I appreciate her honesty and candor with us, the audience, as she tells us, unflinchingly, about her racist experience with the film industry, how she was repeatedly overlooked for acting roles, and was usually featured as a singer in a lounge act, and then quickly hustled off of the stage. Horne also experienced heartbreak when Ava Gardner was cast as biracial Julie in SHOW BOAT, instead of herself (due to film codes against miscygenation). I would have liked to see more of Lena Horne, in this, as well as other people of color who appeared in the MGM films, to hear their perspective, and see more clips with them. Overall, this is a very engaging documentary......

That's Entertainment III Available from Amazon Price: $14.95 Updated on 10-31-2008.

SPONSORED LINKS