That's Entertainment! III (1994)

User Rating:

7.7/10   

Directors:

Bud Friedgen
Michael J. Sheridan

Writers (WGA):

Bud Friedgen (written by) &
Michael J. Sheridan (written by)

Release Date:

July 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Documentary | Family | Music

Plot:

Some of MGM'S musical stars review the studios history of musicals. From _Hollywood Revue of 1929, The (1929)_ to Brigadoon (1954) ...

Plot Keywords:

Musical Filmmaking | Compilation | Singer | Dancer | Sequel

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Gene Kelly	...	Himself - Co-host / Narrator (also archive footage)
June Allyson	...	Herself - Co-host / Narrator (also archive footage)
Cyd Charisse	...	Herself - Co-host / Narrator (also archive footage)
Lena Horne	...	Herself - Co-host / Narrator (also archive footage)
Howard Keel	...	Himself - Co-host / Narrator (also archive footage)
Ann Miller	...	Herself - Co-host / Narrator (also archive footage)
Debbie Reynolds	...	Herself - Co-host / Narrator (also archive footage)
Mickey Rooney	...	Himself - Co-host / Narrator (also archive footage)
Esther Williams	...	Herself - Co-host / Narrator (also archive footage)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jeanette MacDonald	...	Herself (clips from "Naughty Marietta" / "Maytime") (archive footage)

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS

Certification:

Australia:G (original rating) | Australia:PG (alternate rating) | UK:U | USA:G

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

This film marked Gene Kelly's final film appearance.

Quotes:

[last lines]
Gene Kelly: MGM's dream factory created a rich, romantic, compelling world of illusion. And although we may not see anything like it again, we're blessed with memories and miles and miles of film. In the words of Irving Berlin, "The song has ended, but the melody lingers on."

Movie Connections:

Features Million Dollar Mermaid (1952)

Soundtrack:

Shaking the Blues Away

Nice Features In Here That We Never Seen Before

This last "Entertainment" installment offers a few different aspects that the first two "That's Entertainment!" packages didn't have, such as some song-dance routines that never made it on screen (and should have) or a behind-the-scenes look at cameramen filming a particular number. The latter is interesting to see as they filmed an Eleanor Powell dance ("Lady Be Good")

It also was interesting to see some of the stars in the early '90s when this was made, as they host certain segments of this 113-minute tribute. I am referring to June Allyson, Cyd Charisse, Lena Horne, Howard Keel, Gene Kelly, Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, Mickey Rooney and Esther Williams. I'd say the person who most looked a lot like they did when they were much younger was Horne.

I also appreciated the fact they showed quite a bit of numbers in the widescreen format, something we never saw viewing these great musicals on VHS. We also see a very early edition of "Singin In The Rain," with the likes of Jack Benny and Joan Crawford.

Overall, a worthy edition to the "That's Entertainment!" package.