Customer Reviews

Week-End in Havana

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

No WEEKEND IN HAVANA is not one of Hollywood's greatest efforts. And no, this Twentieth Century Fox release can't be compared to the musicals of MGM that were released at the same time. Still, it's one of those time period films that you can't help but enjoy.

John Payne is Jay Williams, a cruise ship executive, soon to be married and engaged to the boss' daughter (Terry McCracken played by Cobina Wright). Days before the wedding one of the company's cruise ships malfunctions and Jay is sent to placate the customers. He's able to make everyone happy except Nan Spencer, the Macy's salesgirl who has saved every last penny for the trip. To make her happy, he arranges for a trip to Havana and surprise: the two fall in love! Of course there are a number of twists and turns but we know they'll get together and we don't feel all that sorry for the boss' daughter. early in the story we know we're not supposed to like her. Viewers meet the hot Cuban singer/dancer Rosita Rivas performed by Carmen Miranda in all her glory and the lovable cad Monte Blanca played by Cesar Romero.

Part of the reason I love this film is it's just fun. The plot line is not complicated and we believe that a story that could easily be tawdry is innocent. The musical numbers may not be as well constructed as rival MGM would have done with the same story, but they still have an irresistible quality. Since most viewers will probably purchase the DVD to enjoy and not to over analyze, a corny story that can at times be a bit zany with musical numbers that are just enjoyable is great entertainment and WEEKEND IN HAVANA will be at home in any such collection.

A cruise ship wrecks off the coast of Florida on its way to Havana. Passenger Nan Spencer (Alice Faye), a Macy's Department Store salesgirl from New York City, refuses to sign a waiver which would absolve the steamship company's liability in the accident........This colourful outing provided Faye with two good songs: TROPICAL MAGIC & ROMANCE AND RHUMBA. Her third number, THE MAN WITH THE LOLLIPOP was recorded but cut from the film; however, it is heard briefly when Billy Gilbert sings a part of it at the country inn of which he owns. For tongue-twisting, fruit-laden Carmen Miranda, this film showcased her talents considerably. Hermes Pan choreographed her big production routine THE NANGO; she also sang the title tune, REBOLA A BOLA & WHEN I LOVE, I LOVE. A vintage splashy Technicolor Fox musical complete with the velvety voice of Alice Faye, the devilishly wriggling Miranda and a variety of vintage tunes - with the rather bland but handsome John Payne and latin lover Cesar Romero in support.

"Weekend in Havana" might well be the fastest paced musical in the career of Alice Faye, whose films never lacked pacing. Director Walter Lang makes adroit use of a gifted cast. Alice Faye and John Payne ultimately fall in love under the bright stars of a Havana evening sky, but after plenty of resistance from spoiled rich girl Cobina Wright Jr., his fiancee. Before she finds love with Payne, Alice is romanced by Cesar Romero at his comedic best as a gigolo perpetually in trouble. Romero in turn is kept in line by regular girlfriend Carmen Miranda, a local nightclub singer and dancer who thinks nothing of bopping Romero to keep him in line.

The comedic highlight of "Weekend in Havana" is a hotel suite scene straight out of Noel Coward's "Private Lines" involving Faye, Payne, Miranda and Romero. When the fiery Miranda calls Faye a "floozy" the blonde erupts with fire of her own.

The plot point of the film is that ship executive Payne, slated to marry boss' daughter Cobina Wright Jr., is compelled to obtain Faye's signature at all costs to avoid liability. The Macey's woman's hosiery clerk Faye saw the negligent cause of the shipwreck of the cruise liner which was supposed to take her to Havana for two weeks of romantic enchantment.

In addition to clever, fast moving scenes, and some great musical numbers featuring the talents of Faye and Miranda, director Lang is able to utilize the comedic abilities of Romero, seeking to remain one step ahead of the mob and the law, along with tough mob boss Sheldon Leonard, restaurant entrepreneur Billy Gilbert, and hilarious hotel bellboy Leonid Kinsky, who has one of the funniest lines in the film. With Faye being kept in the luxury suite by Payne to put her in a mellow mood prior to seeking her signature to sign off on all claims, the Macey's clerk gives Kinsky a dime tip. Misunderstanding, Kinsky, in a script spoof of the rich, tells opportunistic Romero, "From the size of her tip, she must be very rich!"

I'm an Alice Faye fan so it was great to see this restored print being released. She did some 31 musicals in 12 years at Fox so I hope they reissue more of them. A classy lady with a wonderful singing voice!

The technicolor images are bright and sharp so Carmen Miranda's costumes are spectacular, maybe even scene stealers. I watched this on a DVD player that has HD resolution upscaling capabilities and the picture quality was very detailed for a film of that era (1941).

I played the film first then re-ran it with the voiceover commentary by a film historian, which was excellent. I learned a great deal about the film, its actors, set design, costuming, the studio system, etc., etc. This is a wonderful special feature addition to the DVD.

Costco currently offers the lowest price on this DVD that I have run across. Also, if you live in the LA area and know somone who works at the Fox studio you can get all of the Fox DVDs for even less at the studio store adjacent to the commissary. I load up on them whenever I visit down there. If you can get an invite for lunch at the commissary dining room be sure to go as the food is excellent and the "old Hollywood" decor is fun. One time when I was there Rupert Murdoch happened to be sitting at the next table. (I think that was shortly after Ted Turner challenged him to a boxing match.)

Classic! Musical, comical, boy meets girl. This movie makes you feel good and happy. It seems to pull you in and makes you feel as if you are really in Havana! Great costumes, great musical numbers. I would recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys the classic musicals of the 40's.

This movie takes you back to the days when Hollywood made Big Bright Splashy Wonderful Musicals! I doubt if these types of films could even be made today because of the costs of creating these colorful huge sets! Yes its a little corny but whats wrong with that? A more innocent time (dont we wish we were still innocent? )when kissing was considered Fantastic!

"Weekend in Havana" is one of the best in 20th Century Fox's winning formula of colourful wartime musicals set in exotic places, starting with "Down Argentine Way" in 1940. Glorious technicolour, a slight plot, a blonde singing and dancing star and Carmen Miranda were the ingredients and the formula spelt box office magic.

This one has Alice Faye in the comedic role of a common shopgirl on a dream holiday. Faye was not often given a straight comedy and she shines. Carmen Miranda and Ceasar Romero shine too. Even John Payne is animated. He plays very well against both Faye and Miranda in this one. With the gleaming colour and costumes, Walter Lang's "don't waste a moment" direction and Fox's superb sound, we get a very entertaining musical.

The DVD print is spectacular and Janine Basinger's commentary captures accurately the context of the film, the box office appeal of the stars, the costumes, sets, musical direction and clever script which keeps the film moving so fast and with such wit. In 1941, this was a tonic to the public. The other extras are not so good. There are stills from the set, including at least one from a Sonja Henie film and another from the 1944 "Greenwich Village" - sloppy attention to detail.

i highly reommedn this film, because of the lovely romantic storyline and meeting John Payne and and Alice Faye. the costumes are beautiful, the scenery of Havanna is romantic and inspring from a more glamerous era. It has much color and good songs, also Carmen Miranda is wonderufl in it as well.

"Weekend in Havana" is just one of those Fox treasures. Everyone in this films has worked or will work together many times, but somehowit all really comes together here. Alice Faye is a brilliant comedienne and isat her best in this film. She also does some wonderful singing. Carmen Miranda chasing
Caesar Romero in a bold black and white outfit with 5" platform
shoes is funny and scary at the same time. Carmen was 4" 8" tall and with the platforms, she was a towering 5' 1", and she wore them all the time...so she knew what she was doing..but
they do look deadly. This film is just pure 1940's family
entertainment. Everyone in it is very good, the color is so
great...it is even one of those musicals where you can spot
Maria Montez in the chorus! So no need to hesitate...this is exactly the kind of movie you want on your shelf to brighten
cloudy winter days. Lots of pretty people sorting themselves out in a tropical paradise located in West Hollywood! ENJOY!!

Great, beamer-friendly image, nice cast and very witty dialogues. Musical Sequences are okay. Hilarious highpoint when Romero drops the cheque... Also the ending I found very funny, that is rare to end on a good line. Comes in slipcase + little booklet + an envelope with four lobby cards. I'm embarrassed to admit that one lobby card was double! So I received one that is missing in another customers DVD, as the other customers comments suggests :-(