Episode 15: It’s Always Fair Weather

It's Always Fair Weather

Sure does LOOK like a winner!

This week is unusual in that none of your hosts have seen our movie – IT’S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER!

Known today as the movie that “the Gene Kelly tapping on roller skates” dance is from, 1955’s IT’S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER pretty much marks the end of the Golden Age of big movie musicals.  Coming from the famed Freed Unit, with Stanley Donen directing and Comden & Green writing, this movie was expected to be a huge hit, especially since it was conceptually a sequel to the fantastic ON THE TOWN.

Instead, it suffers from it’s own cinematic mid-life crisis, with the storyline focusing on three friends reuniting in middle age only to discover that none of them are particularly happy with where their lives have led them – and a film that doesn’t know how to turn that conceit into an entertainment.

This one’s a bit of a deep cut, and we’ll be honest that the film doesn’t really work.  But it’s still worth watching for the snappy writing given to the ladies (Cyd & Dolores), and the terrific dance sequences (staged by Michael Kidd, who also acted in this one – one of his few onscreen roles).

Take a peek and take a listen!

It's Always Fair Weather

Cyd with her magical legs in the magic skirt.

Tapping with trash can lids?! (“The Binge”)

Gene tapping on skates! (“I Like Myself”)

Dolores has her own flippy boys!

It's Always Fair Weather (1955)
It's Always Fair Weather poster Rating: 7.0/10 (3,888 votes)
Director: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
Writer: Betty Comden, Adolph Green
Stars: Gene Kelly, Dan Dailey, Cyd Charisse
Runtime: 101 min
Rated: Passed
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Musical
Released: 02 Sep 1955
Plot: Three soldiers meet ten years after their last meeting in New York, and find out that they have little in common now.

 

1 comment

    • Rich on November 15, 2018 at 12:23 pm
    • Reply

    Hi Windelina,

    It’s refreshing to hear first-time viewers critique a movie. I have seen this many, many times. ( I usually start it with the Dolores Gray number.)

    The comments about Michael Kidd, Gene Kelly , Donen, “Seven Brides”, etc. were very informative. Thank you.

    I agree. The songs were not as good as they should be. Very forgettable and not whistle worthy.

    All the musical numbers were good. Too bad they couldn’t keep the story together.

    Yes. The women were the most interesting characters .

    Dolores Gray’s number is the best. She is sexy and vicious. I liked her costume, the choreography, the use of color and the moving camera. I also like the “Femme Fatale” theme although I think it goes much farther than that. It’s way ahead of it’s time.

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