In other words,this film is a surreal ride.
a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.
View MoreIt is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,
View MoreThe storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.
View MoreThere's a stereotype that women teachers or librarians who wear glasses are plain Jane's, and the moment Miss four eyes becomes mademoiselle two eyes, she's a raving beauty. Shirley Jones in "The Music Man", Joan Davis in "She Wrote the Book" and Joan Caulfield in "The Petty Girl" are just a few examples of this, and now comes along Maureen O'Hara whom nobody would accused of being a plain Jane. All she needs to awaken her is the music of Harry James, and she turns into a famous New York fashion model reeling in a bunch of available men, forgetting to tell them that she's really a staid college music professor in New York searching for the perfect classical music orchestras to be entered into an upcoming competition.The main man here is Dick Haymes, a decent singer but only serviceable as a leading man. Fortunately, he had costars like Betty Grable and O'Hara here to make him presentable, and while he was extremely popular in the 1940's, he doesn't stand the test of time like Frank Sinatra does. Haymes gets the bulk of the songs, coming alive in the segment when he sings the decent title song to O'Hara in Central Park, a song which turns into an extremely energetic production number joined by the romantic youth dancing through the park. But the story is just ridiculous, overfilled with clichés overly used in movie musicals of the 1940's and '50s. O'Hara is completely charming and comes out unscathed, and Reginald Gardiner is his normally delightfully droll self as usual. So in answer to the film's question title, Maureen: yes. The film: no.
View MorePlot-- A very plain faculty woman gets a glamor makeover, thrusting her suddenly onto the pop music scene and a bunch of new suitors.I had to chuckle at the passing remark where Jimmy (Haymes) says he's dieting so he can get skinny—an obvious reference to Sinatra, then the big bobby-sox idol. The film's a Haymes showcase. He gets to croon a number of tunes in a highly pleasing manner. As an actor, he's a boyish figure, likable but without much charisma. Too bad his career ended after getting mixed up with draft-dodging issues. The movie's pleasant enough without being anything special. James gets to do more acting than conducting; plus the band selections are mediocre, at best. O'Hara certainly looks the part of a Cinderella after the glamor make-over, and even gets to shake a leg along with the acrobatic dancers. Still, her specialty was drama, causing me to wonder where TCF's many music queens like Grable were, besides sitting in the back of a taxi. All in all, it's a decent little 40's musical in vivid candy-box colors. But I can't help thinking the movie could have used more bounce and less talky plot.
View MoreIf your like musicals and love stories. You will find this movie a treat. I'm a typical female and when I saw this movie for the 1st time I cried. The cast was great. The story is about a female dean (Maureen O'Hara) of a music college that falls in love with a man (Dick Haymes)and another man falls for her(Harry James). You will find a whole slue of stars like. Maureen O'Hara as Katherine 'Kitten' Hilliard, Dick Haymes as Jimmy Hale, Harry James as Barry Clayton, Reginald Gardiner as Herbert Benham, Richard Gaines as Ralph Wainwright, Harry James' Music Makers as themselves also you will find Harry James' future bride in this movie Betty Grable they met for the 1st time in this movie.I'm shocked that it didn't get very good reviews. There's only 1 draw back with this movie. Only way you can watch it is if you have cable TV and have Fox Movie Channel. It's not available on DVD and VHS. Hope you can find it.
View MoreWhen we first encounter Professor Katherine Hilliard, she is conducting her college's orchestra with great gusto. Ms. Hilliard is totally dedicated to her music, as well as committed to teaching it. When she decides to see her friend, the New York Symphony's conductor, Herbert Benham, she decides to expand her horizons with the well regarded maestro.Little prepares our Ms. Hilliard for the train ride she takes. She meets handsome Barry Clayton, who is traveling north with his band. When he plays a popular number for her, she flees horrified. Academic life didn't prepare to hear this junk!This is basically the premise of "Do You Love Me", directed by Gregory Ratoff. The film capitalizes on two of the big idols of the era: Harry James and Dick Haymes. The film is greatly helped by the ravishingly beautiful Maureen O'Hara who is the object of love of the two well known popular personalities. We watch as Professor Hilliard is transformed from a dowdy frump into a glamorous woman with a great wardrobe. Ms. O'Hara, with her charming personality, wins our hearts as well as her suitors. Let's not forget she left behind an intellectual boyfriend at the college, Ralph Wainwright, who is ready to marry her. Reginald Gardiner is immensely enjoyable as Herbert Benham, the kind conductor who tells Katherine to pay attention at her wardrobe. Richard Gaines plays Ralph, the man left behind. The music, both classical and popular, is fine. As interpreted by the incomparable Dick Haymes, some of these songs heard are wonderful. Harry James even plays at the end with the classic orchestra and integrates some of his arrangements. The combination is surprising.This is a fun movie to watch thanks to all the principals and Mr. Ratoff's direction.
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