The Young Girls of Rochefort (1967)

If the Umbrellas of Cherbourg is a piercing operatic drama, The Young Girls of Rochefort is pure, unadulterated escapism at its finest. 

Directed by Jacques Demy and starring an ensemble cast including Catherine Deneuve, Francois Doreleac, Gene Kelly, Michel Piccoli, George Chakiris, Grover Paul, and Danielle Darrieux, this is a whimsical French musical that has no equal. 


The film opens with a group of performers coming into the town of Rochefort to get ready for a big outdoor show. They become acquainted with the local hangout that includes a kindly matron and many locals including an idealistic artist and sailor who is searching for his ideal lover. Nearby her two adult twin daughters hold piano and ballet lessons as they two get their little prodigies ready for the big show.  Delphine is fed up with her suitor and desires a new love while Solange on her part hopes to advance her career as a pianist. She goes to the proprietor of a local music store to see if he can introduce her to a prestigious American friend. 

A great deal of dramatic irony sets in and the plot is constantly moved forward through song. Yvonne at the café is still depressed over a split with a lover 10 years prior because he had an unfortunate name. Solange has a chance encounter while stopping to pick up her kid brother Booboo and Delphine becomes curious about an artist who painted a portrait that looks strikingly like her. All of these events reach their apex on the Sunday of the big performance and in need of some performers the Carnies enlist the help of the twins. They are a huge success and things wind down. 

The next morning the performers get ready to leave for Paris and the girls decide to follow suit. However, Solange has another encounter that changes her plans and then Yvonne is reunited with her love. That leaves only Delphine to go with the boys to Paris, but not to worry she would be united with her painter soon enough. 

The light and very French sounding tunes are hard not to like, but that is only the very beginning. Demy pays homage to the Hollywood musicals of old going so far as casting Gene Kelly (Singin' in the Rain) and George Chakiris (West Side Story) in his film. He undoubtedly owes a debts to Vincente Minnelli and Stanley Donen with some striking moments reminiscent of An American in Paris (1951). It makes sense. Demy the pastels and costumes of a Hollywood musical extravaganza while also including dashes of French style. 

Rochefort takes place in a real location but it truly is a fantasy world that the characters inhabit, full of perpetual dancing and dialogue that is delivered through song. The real life sisters do a wonderful job in this film and there is something reassuring seeing Gene Kelly in this film. Rather like an old friend who gives comfort in a whimsical, but altogether new experience. The story arc of dashed, renewed and found love allows Demy to once more explore issues of fate and chance that always seem to enchant him.  His partnership with Michel Legrande is once again bountiful including the endearingly memorable Chanson Des Jumelles. 

There's nothing much else to say except The Young Girls of Rochefort is one of those under appreciated gems that is thoroughly enjoyable and laden with all sorts of fun. It delivers a serving of something that is a familiar flavor while giving it a little extra panache. It's about as playful and fluffy as you can get which in this case is not a bad thing at all. 

4.5/5 Stars

Cover Girl (1944)

Rusty Parker (Rita Hayworth) is a chorus girl at Danny McGuire's place (Gene Kelly), however she has the chance of a lifetime to be the cover girl of a major magazine. She is going places with a rich suitor who wants to hire her and then propose marriage. Rusty neglects her old job and it leaves Danny dejected and angry. He knows that Rusty has a great future in front of her but he cannot stand to break up their team that includes their mutual friend Genius (Phil Silvers). At first Rusty does not understand her true feelings and rashly decides to get married. However, much like her grandmother before her, Rusty realizes in the nick of time how she feels.

This Technicolor film has one or two decent numbers and I was surprised how nimble Phil Silvers is on his toes. He dances well with Kelly and Hayworth. As always Eve Arden is as humorous as ever and Gene Kelly used his artistic control fairly well.

3.5/5 Stars

The Best Films of Gene Kelly

1. Singin' in the Rain
2. An American in Paris
3. On the Town
4. Inherit The Wind
5. The Young Girls of Rochefort
6. For Me and My Gal
7. Summer Stock
8. Take Me Out to The Ball Game
9. Cover Girl
10. It's Always Fair Weather
11. Les Girls
12. Christmas Holiday
13. Anchors Aweigh
14. The Pirate

Singin' in the Rain (1952) - Updated

I always seem to get goosebumps during Gene Kelly's Singin' in the Rain number, because each time I see and hear it, there is still a new magic to it every time. You see when I was young, before I knew all the classics, first and foremost I knew this gem of a film. It is such a wonderful buildup to that moment with such personal favorites as Make em' Laugh and Moses Supposes. Then you have the always popular Good Morning with not only Kelly but Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds performing. Great stuff!

As the story goes the three friends save the failing "Dueling Cavalier" by losing the simple "talkie" gimmick and making it a musical by dubbing Lena Lamont. Cathy no longer is a bit player and she gains the acknowledgment that she deserves. Then Don Lockwood gets the girl who burst out of a cake. Cosmo Brown is along for the ride staying with Don through thick and through thin, even calling him a cab when necessary. He's a true friend in a million.

Although Kelly had a career with other high points (arguably never as high as this one), I am always slightly saddened that O'Connor and Reynolds never reached another peak like this ever again in their careers. They were both great so we must simply cherish this film for what it is.

Even to this day the film holds up and that is a tribute to the writing of Betty Comden and Adoph Green highlighting the infant Hollywood and the advent of talkies. The only film with a similar dissection of Hollywood's Golden Age is another 50s classic is Sunset Boulevard. The big difference is Wilder's film is chock full of drama and darkness. Singin' in the Rain will always and forever be a light, fun musical with a lot of laughs.  It is constantly quotable whether it is "dignity, always dignity" or "I can't stand it!" Jean Hagen is always the butt of everyone's jokes, but she is indeed very funny with the most annoying voice in the history of cinema (She can't act, she can't sing, she can't dance. Triple threat). You also have other fine performers like Millard Mitchell as studio head R.F. and then appearances by Cyd Charisse and Rita Moreno who made a name for themselves as dancers. Is is just me or does Donald O'Connor remind others of Danny Kaye? He not only cracks the jokes, but he is a wonderful all around performer. Although O'Connor was probably a better dancer.

All in all this is a timeless classic and it will undoubtedly keep that title for who knows how long. I know I will be coming back to it again and again. Now I hope it starts pouring buckets so I can go outside and stomp around in the puddles. I will let you know if I come down with pneumonia.

5/5 Stars

Singin' In the Rain (1952)

This movie is a comedy, a romance, and above all a musical. However along with the immortal dance routines there is a plot and characters that are memorable as well. It helps to glorify a very different time in Hollywood and delivers a film that is funny and full of excellent song and dance.

There is something about this film that makes it extremely special. Even after seeing it many times I am still captivated by every joke and every unforgettable song. What can beat the brilliance and antics of Gene Kelly and Donald O'Connor backed by Debbie Reynolds? There is a touching love story to go along with these great actors and songs. Gene Kelly's sloshing about in the title song is timeless and O'Connor delivers a hilarious performance in such songs as Make 'em Laugh. There are a few dance sequences that are drawn out but the rest is top notch and keeps the audience enamored the entire time. This truly is a classic movie and musical that is both funny and heartwarming.

                                                   5/5 Stars

                                                 "Dignity. Always, dignity"
                                                  ~ Don Lockwood

An American in Paris (1951)

Starring Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron with director Vincente Minneli, this musical follows an American painter in Paris (Kelly) as he struggles with life and love. Jerry Mulligan is a painter who loves Paris and has made friends with many of the locals. The only problem is that he has no money. That all changes when a rich patron begins to sponsor him and his luck begins to change. Soon he becomes enchanted with a French girl (Caron) and after initial conflict they try to meet up whenever they can. At the same time Jerry is tied up with his patron and Lisa is engaged to a kind Frenchman who Jerry knows. When Jerry learns this he is devastated, however in the end he does get the girl. Although the final dance sequence seemed out of place, awkward, and too long, much of the rest of the musical is enjoyable. I Got Rhythm and The American in Paris Theme are catchy Gershwin tunes that Gene Kelly performs to perfection.

4/5 Stars

Gene Kelly!

Before I forget I just want to point out that today
would have been the 100th birthday of the great
performer Gene Kelly. Although he is remembered
mostly for his performance in Singin' in the Rain
he was in other classics including On the Town,
An American in Paris, and Inherit the Wind.

Happy Birthday Gene Kelly