PLOT:
A chorus girl named Rusty (Hayworth) working at a nightclub run by her boyfriend Danny McGuire (Kelly) is given a chance for stardom by the wealthy magazine editor John Coudair, who years earlier had been in love with her grandmother, Maribelle Hicks. Offered an opportunity to be a highly-paid cover girl, Rusty would faithfully remain with her nightclub act if only Danny would ask her. He doesn’t want to stand in her way, so he picks an argument to send her packing. Rusty becomes a star on Broadway after appearing in a musical produced by Coudair’s wealthy friend, Noel Wheaton, and decides to get married to Wheaton. At the last second she leaves the wedding and reunites with Danny
REVIEW:
The gorgeous Rita Hayworth shares the screen with the multi-talented Gene Kelly in this musical comedy that really capitalizes on her beauty, but is there anything beyond its proverbial “pretty face”?
Well, it has potential, that’s for sure, but something, I’m not sure what, keeps it from greatness. That didn’t keep me from enjoying this classic, though.
What worked?
Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly. The greatness of these two is multiplied when they are on screen together. The chemistry they show rivals that of the likes of Astaire and Roger, Bogey and Bacall, etc.
The story. It may come off as a bit cheesy, but I liked it, especially the part where the company’s boss fell in love with a woman at the exact same club that they found her granddaughter.
Dance scenes. Gene Kelly dancing…nothing more need be said!
What didn’t work?
The music. It isn’t very often that I will criticize a George Gershwin scored musical, but the songs just didn’t quite work here. It isn’t that they are bad, per se, but they don’t do anything to move the plot along. On the other hand, they do keep things from going down the drama route.
The attitudes of the wealthy. Just because you have money doesn’t mean you own everyone. There is one character that almost insists that Hayworth is his.
Cover Girl isn’t the most memorable film, but it is a decent watch. While I didn’t love this flick, I would voluntarily watch it again. Do I think you should check it out? Yes, it is most definitely worth a shot. You never know what you might think of it!
3 out of 5 stars
