Happy Go Lovely

David Niven Director: H. Bruce Humberstone H. Bruce Humberstone

Overview

A lighthearted musical comedy featuring David Niven and Vera-Ellen, Happy Go Lovely finds its' way to DVD courtesy of the Roan Group. Presented in 1.33:1 full frame and featuring an English Dolby Digital Stereo soundtrack, this release is sure to please those in need of an upbeat rainy-day classic.

Product Details

Release Date:	04/16/2002
UPC:	0089218318596
Original Release:	1951
Rating:	NR
Source:	Alpha Video
Region Code:	0
Time:	1:36:00
Sales rank:	38,914

Special Features

[None specified]

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

David Niven	B.G. Bruno
Vera-Ellen	Janet Jones
Cesar Romero	John Frost
Bobby Howes	Charlie
Diane Hart	Mae
Gordon Jackson	Paul Tracey
Barbara Couper	Mme. Amanda
Henry Hewitt	Dodds
Gladys Henson	Mrs. Urquhart
Hugh Dempster	Bates
Sandra Dorne	Betty
Joyce Carey	Secretary
John Laurie	Jonskill
Wylie Watson	Stage Doorman
Joan Heal	Phyllis Gardiner
Hector Ross	Harold
Ambrosine Phillpotts	Lady Martin
Molly Urquhart	Mme. Amanda's Assistant
Jack Billings	Principal Dancer
Kay Kendall	Secretary
Douglas Scott	Principal Dancer

Technical Credits

Val Guest

Arthur Macrae

H. Bruce Humberstone	Director
Bert Bates	Editor
Jack Billings	Choreography
Pauline Grant	Choreography
Val Guest	Screenwriter
Marcel Hellman	Producer
Erwin Hillier	Cinematographer
John Howell	Art Director
Louis Levy	Musical Direction/Supervision
Arthur Macrae	Screenwriter
Mischa Spoliansky	Score Composer

Scene Index

Side #1 --
2. Chapter 1 [16:29]
3. Chapter 2 [23:16]
4. Chapter 3 [7:24]
5. Chapter 4 [31:20]

Menu

Side #1 --
   Play
   Index

Editorial Reviews

Happy Go Lovely is a moderately entertaining British-made musical that falls short of being first rate. What keeps it in the second tier is the confinement of musical talent to female lead Vera-Ellen. This is not to knock the leading lady, for she gives the part her all and is quite winning an actress and a knock-out as a dancer. (Her singing is, as usual, dubbed). The problem is that the male lead is played -- deftly and quite well -- by David Niven, whose many talents do not include those associated with a song-and-dance man. In a typical musical, the most important moments are of course the musical numbers; when the male lead is not called upon to participate in them, it usually creates a serious imbalance, as here. This situation is made worse by the fact that there are several moments when the script seems to cry out for the Niven character to become musical; had Fred Astaire, for example, been cast in the role, the dinner sequence at the swank restaurant would have become a true musical scene that would have made the sequence something truly special. As it is, it's amusing but nothing more. Aside from this, the only serious flaw is the over-the-top performance of Cesar Romero. It's true that the script is contrived, but it still is diverting. It is also offset by some very good choreography, particularly impressive in the street ballet near the end of the picture, and by some nice location shots. Light and breezy, Happy Go Lovely is an enjoyable trifle.

All Movie Guide - Craig Butler