The Belle of New York is a 1952 musical comedy film directed by Charles Walters. Set in New York City circa 1900, the film stars Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen, Alice Pearce, Marjorie Main, Gale Robbins, and Keenan Wynn, with music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Johnny Mercer.
| The Belle of New York | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Charles Walters |
| Screenplay by | Robert O'Brien Irving Elinson |
| Based on | The Belle of New York 1897 musical by Hugh Morton and Gustave Kerker |
| Produced by | Arthur Freed |
| Starring | Fred Astaire Vera-Ellen Marjorie Main Keenan Wynn |
| Cinematography | Robert H. Planck |
| Edited by | Albert Akst |
| Music by | Alexander Courage Adolph Deutsch Conrad Salinger |
| Color process | Technicolor |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
Release date |
|
Running time | 82 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2,563,000[1] |
| Box office | $1,982,000[1] |
This whimsical (even by Astaire's standards) musical failed at the box office and impressed few critics at the time, mainly due to the nature of the plot which empowers lovers to float free of the influence of gravity - a conceit reprised in the 1999 film Simply Irresistible. Astaire was reluctant[2] to take the project - he was originally supposed to play the role in 1946 but had avoided it through retirement. Clearly stung by its failure[original research?], Astaire later claimed that the dance routines - of which there are more than usual - are of a particularly high standard - a rare verdict from such a notoriously self-critical artist. Vera-Ellen is generally viewed[3] as one of Astaire's most technically proficient dance partners, and this was a factor[2] in his readiness to expand the dance content of the film beyond its traditional proportions.
Plot
editSet in turn-of-the-century New York, Angela Collins has been a lifelong member of the Daughters of Right temperance movement. Known as the "Belle of New York", Angela attracts attention for her beauty and singing talent from the clientele, which wealthy matron Mrs. Phineas Hill believes is a distraction. Meanwhile, Mrs. Hill's playboy nephew Charlie is hosting his bachelor party as he is engaged to Dixie "Deadshot" McCoy, a sharpshooter. Mrs. Hill arrives and disperses the party, not knowing of her nephew's engagement. Feeling glum, Charlie confesses he does not want to be married and steps out with his friend, Frenchie.
On a horse carriage, Charlie spots Angela leading the Daughters' band in song and falls in love with her. However, she scoffs at him telling him that if he were really in love, his feet would walk on air. After hearing this, Charlie imagines himself dancing in mid-air and later on top of Washington Square Arch. The next morning, Dixie storms into the Hills' mansion, distraught that Charlie did not arrive at his wedding. Mrs. Hill writes Dixie a $10,000 check to keep her quiet.
Charlie arrives at Angela's office and asks to join the movement. Angela however is skeptical and asks him to complete a honest day's work before joining. Charlie is unsuccessful at keeping a job as he is fired every time he sees Angela in her office. By nighttime, Charlie works as a streetcar driver, and at the end of the day, he offers Angela a ride to the car barn. When the streetcar is parked, Charlie finds Angela's feet has left the ground. He returns home and informs his aunt that he is love with Angela. Delighted at the news, Mrs. Hill agrees to pay for the wedding.
The night before the wedding, Angela's friend Elsie Wilkins holds rehearsals while decorations are being made. Elsewhere, Charlie holds to his sobriety, refusing to have a toast for his upcoming wedding. However, Charlie gives in and wakes up the next morning, realizing he is about to miss the wedding. Charlie returns home, where he finds Angela in her wedding gown. He apologizes and calls off the wedding, believing she deserves a better man. Angela nevertheless insists on the wedding, but when she kisses Charlie, she does not levitate.
Sometime later, Charlie approaches Elsie as the Daughters of Right are marching. Angela hides besides a drum, as Charlie inquires about Angela's whereabouts. Elsie lies, claiming Angela has left the movement. When Charlie leaves, Elsie suggests he and Angela should reunite. Both women adorn stylist clothes and arrive at the Webbers Casino, where Charlie works as a singing waiter. After Charlie performs a number, a male diner asks Charlie to hand Angela a note. Angela reads the note and decides to leave. Charlie reads the note and punches the diner. A brawl breaks out, just as Mrs. Hill arrives. As they attempt to sneak out, Charlie confronts Angela and as they are walking outside, they begin to levitate again. A crowd gathers outside and cheers, and Charlie and Angela marry and dance in mid-air.
Cast
edit- Fred Astaire as Charlie Hill
- Vera-Ellen as Angela Bonfils
- Marjorie Main as Mrs. Phineas Hill
- Keenan Wynn as Max Ferris
- Alice Pearce as Elsie Wilkins
- Clinton Sundberg as Gilford Spivak
- Gale Robbins as Dixie 'Deadshot' McCoy
Production
editThe film was in development since 1943. Producer Arthur Freed had asked Rodgers and Hammerstein to write the music.
It was then slated to be filmed in 1945 with Astaire and Judy Garland. Due to Garland’s busy schedule she dropped out.
Apparently Mae West was considered for the role of Mrs. Hill. However she was considered too expensive. Beatrice Lillie was also considered.
Musical numbers
editThe choreography makes play[3] with ideas of lightness, of floating on air[2] and on ice, and the use of platforms, with Astaire consciously avoiding his usual love of noise-making in his solos. Vera-Ellen's lithe and waif-like figure (she allegedly suffered from anorexia nervosa in real life) facilitated this concept. This also marks choreographer Robert Alton's last collaboration with Astaire.
- When I'm Out With The Belle of New York: The film's signature waltz is delivered by a male chorus outside Vera-Ellen's window.
- Who Wants To Kiss The Bridegroom: Astaire sings and dances with seven lovely women in sequence, finishing the routine on a table.
- Let A Little Love Come In: Sung by Alice Pearce and then by Vera-Ellen (dubbed here by Anita Ellis).
- Seeing's Believing: Astaire fantasy song-and-dance solo performed atop a mock-up of Washington Square Arch, making considerable use of process photography. Astaire's verdict[2] was: "After much experimentation and testing, it neither came off photographically nor story-wise."
- Baby Doll: Partnered romantic duet, with gentle comic overtones, sung by Astaire and danced by Astaire and Vera-Ellen with much emphasis[3] on twirling motifs and platform work.[4]
- Oops: Comic dance duet, sung by Astaire, takes place in and around a moving horse-drawn streetcar which introduces the platform ingredient into a linear side-by-side style[3] of choreography incorporating gags and tap routines which echo aspects of the I'm Putting All My Eggs In One Basket Astaire-Rogers number from Follow the Fleet.
- A Bride's Wedding Day Song (Currier And Ives): After some unfortunately cloying[3] opening scenes, and an attractive swirling routine on an ice-skating rink, Astaire and Vera-Ellen launch into a duet which in terms of virtuosity is equalled only by the famous Waltz In Swing Time Astaire-Rogers dance from Swing Time, with which this routine has some elements in common, being also a syncopated waltz with tap components, this time to a speeded-up version of The Belle Of New York. The apparent ease with which Vera-Ellen copes with the myriad complexities of this routine has sealed her reputation as one of Astaire's most accomplished dance partners. Lastly, this dance is noteworthy for being Astaire's last full tap duet with a leading lady on film, as Ellen was the last of his dance partners who could tap.
- Naughty But Nice: A solo song (dubbed by Ellis) and dance routine by Vera-Ellen.
- I Wanna Be A Dancin' Man: Astaire's second solo routine is a song and sand-dance (only his second sand-dance on film, the other being the No Strings number in Top Hat), and one which - by running separate takes side by side in split screen - has been used in That's Entertainment, Part III to illustrate the extreme precision of Astaire's dance technique. The number - whose lyrics are a tribute to Astaire by his friend Mercer - is a humorous study in nonchalance, with Astaire's choreography deliberately offsetting[3] Mercer's tribute.
Reception
editAccording to MGM records the film earned $1,340,000 in the US and Canada and $642,000 elsewhere, resulting in a loss of $1,576,000.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c The Eddie Mannix Ledger, Los Angeles: Margaret Herrick Library, Center for Motion Picture Study.
- ^ a b c d Astaire, Fred (1959). Steps in Time. London: Heinemann. pp. 299–300. ISBN 0-241-11749-6.
{{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help) - ^ a b c d e f Mueller, John (1986). Astaire Dancing - The Musical Films. London: Hamish Hamilton. pp. 332–347. ISBN 0-241-11749-6.
- ^ Thomas S. Hischak The Oxford Companion to the American Musical: Theatre, Film, ... 2008 "The new score by Harry Warren (music) and Johnny Mercer (lyrics) included the hit song “Baby Doll "