Product Details

• Actors: Debbie Reynolds, Gene Kelly, Ann Miller, Mickey Rooney, Lena Horne
• Directors: Bud Friedgen, Michael J. Sheridan
• Writers: Bud Friedgen, Michael J. Sheridan
• Producers: Bud Friedgen, Michael J. Sheridan, George Feltenstein, Peter Fitzgerald
• Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
• Rated: G (General Audience)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• VHS Release Date: July 18, 1995
• Run Time: 120 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00000694V
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #195,993 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Some of the most impressive numbers from the golden era of MGM musicals are contained in this video, the third of the That's Entertainment films. Have no fear that the studio was scraping the bottom of the barrel when assembling these clips after having produced two earlier films using the same formula. In fact, it can be argued that this particular compilation would be attractive to a general audience of today, as it contains a wealth of material that hasn't been widely seen. And almost none of it would be produced today, as these complicated dance scenes would simply be too expensive to film in the modern era. An example is a lavish production number featuring the great dancer Eleanor Powell seen in split screen, so the viewer watching the video can see not only what the movie audience saw, but what the soundstage looked like as a small army of stagehands performed artful illusions by removing gigantic portions of the stage as Powell danced across it. Interesting outtakes featuring Judy Garland and Lena Horne are also featured, and former MGM musical stars who introduce the production numbers (and provide background on the filming) include Gene Kelly and Esther Williams. The title doesn't lie: it's all entertaining. --Robert J. McNamara

From The New Yorker

A third compilation of clips from the golden, or at least brassy, age of the Hollywood musical-memorable moments, supposedly, although most of the classic stuff was pinched by the two earlier installments, and the tactic here is to remind you of moments you may have forgotten. There's a rather daring shower sequence from the thirties, a lot of Esther Williams and her amazing waterproof smile, and a trio of sisters doing the crab in a farmyard. Kitsch fans will have a ball; they can choose between Judy Garland in war paint, just before she cracked up and had to be pulled from "Annie Get Your Gun," and a closeup of Joan Crawford in blackface. Connoisseurs can get off on previously unseen outtakes of Fred Astaire, but the whole enterprise is starting to look as creaky as the stars who introduce the clips. -Anthony Lane
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars marvelloucious!, June 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: That's Entertainment III [VHS] (VHS Tape)

As the young generation of today only swell over "Titanic" and "Jurrasic Park" at the cinema, movie musicals have long being forgotten and discarded. I live in Singapore where it is hard to find somebody who still remembers about the famous movie musicals made by MGM( or other studios). However, this collective clips of musicals made by MGM really offer me a deep insight into what was once popular and successful in HOllywood. I love all the scenes and all those dancing movements. It's a pity I have missed out on so many great musicals before my time. My advice: Forget about disaster stories or computer aided graphics for the time being and treat yourself to a world of fascinating songs and dance! YOu'll love it. Musicals are for everyone to enjoy certainly.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Mix of Classic Moments & Rare Footage, June 26, 2002

By 

Gary F. Taylor "GFT" (Biloxi, MS USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: That's Entertainment III [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Opening with a Gene Kelly-introduced segment concerning early efforts to develop musical stars and material, this third installment of the THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT quickly seques into celebrity-introduced film clips from MGM musicals--film clips that range from familiar favorites to out-takes, rareities, and numbers that were cut from films before their release. The narrators are well scripted, well filmed, and often interject insightful personal notes by introducing clips from their own movies.

Such is the case with the legendary Lena Horne, who presents a casually-spoken but quite powerful narrative about the Hollywood racism that limited her career and ultimately prevented her from playing Julie in SHOWBOAT. But the real power of THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT III is in it's "never-before-seen" footage--footage that includes memorable performances by Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, and Lena Horne among others. The film also offers the chance to see some truly rare bits of film, including Vaudeville acts hoping for film stardom, scenes from the early Technicolor and never-completed film MARCH OF TIME, and pre-code bathing-beauties. THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT III doesn't have quite the same dash and splash or variety as the original THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT, but it moves at a smart pace, and fans of movie musicals will find a great deal to enjoy. Recommended.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars nostalgia at it's best, April 9, 2001

By 

Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: That's Entertainment III [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Gene Kelly, Esther Williams, Debbie Reynolds, June Allyson, Cyd Charisse, Mickey Rooney and Howard Keel all come together to remember and pay homage to the movies that made them famous, and the studio that had more stars than the heavens.

It's great to see the numbers that didn't make the final cut, like the alternate version of "A Lady Loves" from I LOVE MELVIN, "Two-Faced Woman" from TORCH SONG, which had been planned and filmed for THE BAND WAGON with Cyd Charisse (in TORCH SONG it is danced by Joan Crawford, dubbed by India Adams). Debbie Reynolds said they dropped the wrong version and they DID! Charisse's version is slinky and sexy; while Crawford's is clunky and awkward.

There is the "Lock Step" with the Dodge Twins, a rare short featuring The Five Locust Sisters, and glorious footage from GIGI.

All of the material has been painstakingly restored, so the picture quality remains relatively neutral. Also, the music and singing has been mixed for the first time in stereo.

A great sequel to THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT!, and a great film for classic movie buffs.