Product Details

• Actors: June Allyson, Perry Como, Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• VHS Release Date: April 1, 1992
• Run Time: 122 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 630197851X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #167,071 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

The plot is a hokey whitewash of the careers of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, with characters talking in stilted phrases ("Gee, Larry, that's marvelous, really and truly") and complexities reduced to ground zero. But Rodgers and Hart comprised one of the greatest song-writing teams of the 20th century, and Words and Music (1948) is an excuse for a gang of Hollywood's top performers to have their way with the tunes. Mel Tormé croons a melancholy "Blue Moon," June Allyson twinkles through "Thou Swell," and a climactic ballet to "Slaughter on 10th Avenue" features Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen in slinky, kicky form. As is often the case in MGM musicals of this period, Lena Horne steals the show with a self-contained sequence (so it could be snipped out in theaters in the U.S. South), here contributing stunning versions of "The Lady Is a Tramp" and that most mysterious of American pop songs, "Where or When."

The film's sense of time is deranged: Perry Como plays an early friend of R&H, then decades later, himself; Garbo's Camille is shown as a silent film, although it was released 10 years after sound came in; and the grown-up Judy Garland plays herself in a period when she would have been a child. The upside is that Garland romps through "Johnny One Note," one of many examples of Lorenz Hart's lyrical dexterity. Tom Drake is a dull Rodgers, but Mickey Rooney's buzz-saw energy and crazed appetite might have made a brilliant Larry Hart. In a better movie, that is. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is Mickey Rooney's movie!, May 19, 2000

By 

pmg1975 (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Words & Music [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I never realized what a bundle of energy a youthful Mickey Rooney was. He completely steals the show as musical theatre composer Larry Hart (the other half of Rodgers and Hart). Mr. Rooney brings such exuberance to his role that you actually feel sorry for what his character becomes by the end of the film.

Granted, this is a somewhat fictionalized account of the songwriting partnership of Rodgers and Hart, the film contains many a classic tune and musical number performed by many of the greatest MGM stars, including June Allyson, Perry Como, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly, Ann Sothern, Cyd Charisse, Vera-Ellen, and Judy Garland, all making cameo appearences.

Not to be completely outdone by Mr. Rooney, equally impressive are Tom Drake as Richard Rodgers, who was the "solid" one of the partnership, Janet Leigh as Dorothy Rodgers, and Betty Garrett as a girlfriend of Hart.

Anyone who appreciates the pomp and circumstance that MGM put into their musical films will find this film a treat for the senses.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An MGM Classic Musical, June 14, 2000

By 

Susan Fong (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Words & Music [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This dramatized biography of Rodgers and Hart is given the glossy MGM treatment, but is none the worse for it. Rodgers and Hart's music is timeless. There are many great performers in this movie such as Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly, etc. This movie is not a masterpiece, but the music is superb and that elevates the entire movie. Pleasant viewing.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a wonderful musical entertainment, October 19, 2001

By 

"pcork98" (Tasmania, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Words & Music [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is one of my favourite musicals. I first saw it in black and white on TV in Melbourne, and loved it, and then bought the MGM Soundtrack on MGM Disc in the 60's, which then was re-released in the 1970's on Polygram.

Forget the plot, it is the musical numbers that are so fresh and exciting even today.
I love Ann Sothern's "Where's That Rainbow" and June Allyson's "Thou Swell", and all the musical numbers.
I loved Garland(even though she appeared frail and unwell). Perry Como with Cyd Charisase "Blue Room" was heaven, and Mountain Greenery with Perry Como. Lena Horne sings the definitive "Lady is a Tramp" and "Where or When" and most underrated Betty Garrett, sings a delightful "Small Hotel". This was musical talent at it's greatest, and to include the "Slaughter Ballet", "On Your Toes Ballet" etc, it is breathtaking. Forget the plot, although Mickey Rooney is a live-wire, and Tom Drake effective as a dull Rodgers, and Janet Leigh as the nice wife.
A must see. The best Composers and the wonderful MGM stars and class.