Customer Reviews

Delightfully Dangerous [VHS]

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This was Jane Powell's second movie following her successful debut in "Song of the Open Road." Morton Gould's original music plus Johann Strauss' timeless classics provide ample melodies for this light hearted musical romp.

In the opening scene, Jane dreams she is performing in concert before a huge audience with Morton Gould and his orchestra. Jane sings the lilting A SHOWER OF STARS. Jane plays a young girl at a boarding school, whose older sister (Constance Moore) comes to see her in the school's musical. Jane sings the cheerful ONCE UPON A SONG while balancing on a tightrope holding an umbrella. Her sister's escort (Melvin Douglas) is a theatrical agent who immediately becomes interested in little sister's talent. Jane is devastated when she learns that her sister's big Broadway show is actually a burlesque review. (Constance sings TEASIN'). The complications that follow take some careful undoing.

A highlight of the film takes place in a beautiful garden restaurant where Jane sings the enchanting THROUGH YOUR EYES TO YOUR HEART accompanied by Mr. Gould and his orchestra Her lyrical voice lends itself well to the artfully crafted songs of the film.

The talents of the two sisters are united for the film's finale with a lavish production called "Mr. Strauss Goes to Town" alternating classical numbers with pop. A full orchestra, chorus and elaborate staging make this a memorable conclusion. Five stars for the musical numbers.

Little known and rather deservedly so, "Delightfully Dangerous" is a early Jane Powell film and while Powell is charming as always, the movie is strictly a B-level renter.

The story itself is standard Powell cutesy fare: Jane thinks her big sis is a famous Broadway singer; the reality is that while famous the sister is actually a burlesque star (one "Bubbles Barton"). Only momentarily daunted, Jane sets about ensuring that her sister becomes a success in legitimate theater, roping a reluctant producer in her schemes.

The only other current Amazon review for the film lists the romantic interest as Melvyn Douglas; it's actually Ralph Bellamy. I mention it because Melvyn would have been a thousand times better-Bellamy just isn't much of a leading man. The musical score is tuneful but not remarkable, and since the film is in black and white there's none of the great technicolor-drenched sets of so many of Powell's better films. All in all, pleasant but definitely a renter for all but the most devoted of Powell fans.

GRADE: C/C+

Fans of the gorgeous Jane Powell will be the ones who'll most enjoy this 1945 musical gem from 'Poverty Row' movie studio Astor Pictures/Hunt Stromberg Productions. It was Jane Powell's first starring role in a movie, and her promising talent is evident for all to see here.

Powell plays aspiring music student Sherry Williams, who idolizes her older sister Josephine (Constance Moore), a big musical comedy star. After being encouraged by visiting Broadway producer Arthur Hale (Ralph Bellamy), Sherry plucks up enough courage to visit her sister in the city, and ask about starting in showbusiness. Imagine her shock when she discovers that Josephine earns her money as burlesque cutie-patootie "Bubbles Barton"... Sherry decides to get Josephine out of the burlesque scene by having Arthur bankroll a musical for them both to star in.

There's a fun role for the ever-reliable Arthur Treacher as the trusty butler Jeffers; and the cast also features Louise Beavers and Ruth Tobey.

Here in her very first movie musical, Jane Powell displays the pert, easygoing nature that would endear her to a generation of moviegoers. There are some snappy musical numbers arranged and performed by the Morton Gould Orchestra ("In a Shower of Stars", "Once Upon a Song", "Through Your Eyes...To Your Heart", "I'm Only Teasin'"). The following year, Powell would sign a contract with M-G-M and go on to star in a series of legendary movie musicals that are still being enjoyed today ("Two Weeks with Love", "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers", "Royal Wedding").