Small Town Girl (1953)

The Worst Film Ever

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

'Small Town Girl' is a pleasant and entertaining film, but it is a case of some parts faring much better than others.One shouldn't expect too much from the story, which makes even the thinnest of ice seem thick in comparison and is so old-fashioned with very little variation that in the non-singing and dancing moments one can hear the creaks. Or the script, which does have some light-hearted moments and some sweet and amusing comedy but the more romantic parts lack warmth and momentum, and don't go looking for depth (know this is not the kind of film, but even for a comedy/musical/romance there is a lot of fluff and pleasant moments but not much more than that.The supporting cast do fare much better than the leads. Bobby Van is an energetic charmer and Ann Miller is a sheer delight. Hearing Nat King Cole sing is always a pleasure, and S.Z. Sakall and Billie Burke sparkle. To be honest Van and Miller would have made better leads perhaps than Jane Powell and Farley Granger, whose performances or scenes are nowhere near as good or as memorable.The problem by all means does not lie with Powell, who is cute as a button and radiates in charm, her voice bell-like in its clarity. The problems are her lack of chemistry with Granger, one gets the sense that they either didn't have much rehearsal or didn't get on, and with Granger, who is handsome but is a complete blank and looks like he took part in a bet, lost it and is regretting it on screen or something because he doesn't look as though he is enjoying himself one bit and it's draining to watch.It is Van and Miller that bag 'Small Town Girl's' best scenes. For me, Miller's ingenious routine in "I've Gotta Hear that Beat" (one of my favourite dance numbers from her, and this is from such a talented performer whose dancing and routines were highlights in films she appeared in) is the highlight. Will admit to have not always liked Van's hopping routine in "Take Me to Broadway", on first viewing (which actually wasn't from this film, it was when it was featured in 'That's Entertainment II') it seemed bizarre and too silly a scene but on repeat viewing it is actually a lot of fun and the energy is astounding, whatever opinion one has of the number that it won't be easily forgotten is undeniable.Cole's soulfully beautiful rendition of "My Flaming Heart", with Cole sounding as dreamlike as always, is another highlight. The scene does feel thrown in somewhat but when it features such a lovely song so beautifully performed that is forgiven very quickly. 'Small Time Town' looks great with the cinematography and costumes being especially pleasing, and while the songs themselves are not exactly timeless (as good as "My Flaming Heart" is, it's not one of Cole's greatest hits in a list that includes "When I Fall in Love" and "Unforgettable") they are very easy on the ear and they along with the dances accompanying them provide the energy, momentum and emotional impact lacking elsewhere in the film.All in all, a decent film that is worth seeing for the supporting cast and the dance sequences but anybody wanting a good story, depth good lead performances and chemistry between the leads will find themselves short-changed. 6/10 Bethany Cox

As a musical comedy, "Small Town Girl" is not on par with MGM's top films in this genre. However, it is a basically pleasant movie, colorfully made and professionally performed. Jane Powell, the beautiful leading lady, lacks in decent material, relegated to unmemorable songs and a characterization that is pretty bland when comparred to supporting characters played by Bobby Van and Ann Miller. The small town innocence is there, although a production number with Van and Powell at a box social seems totally out of place. When Van breaks into a musical number in Papa S.Z. Sakall's store, pure joy erupts, and when he starts his delightful hopping number, the silliness doesn't matter. His elation becomes the audience's.] As for the story, I couldn't find myself believing wealthy New Yorker Farley Granger falling in love with Duck Falls resident Powell and planning to move there. I liked the fact, however, that his mama (Billie Burke) supported Judge Robert Keith's decision to arrest Granger and hold him for 30 days for speeding through town and contempt of court. However, that as a ruse in the screenplay to get Granger and Powell together in a romantic way just didn't ring true. Powell is charming and Granger is very handsome, but they shared no chemistry. As for Annie Miller, she gets some witty lines and a magnificent musical number (the lavish "I Gotta Hear That Beat!") staged by Busby Berkley that features huge drums and other instruments coming out of the stage with only the musician's hands appearing to play them. Pure genius on Berkley's part, and an equal visual treat as original as the "Our Love Affair" number in "Strike Up the Band!" where cakes and a fruit bowl become an entire orchestra.

Small town America (Duck Creek) battles big city New York in this generally entertaining musical. Big city boy Rick (Granger) discovers the virtues of small town living, especially when it includes winsome Cindy (Powell). While small town boy Ludwig (Van) yearns for career opportunities on the Broadway stage. Getting it all straightened out takes about 90-minutes.Nobody could idealize small town America like MGM. Here everyone in Duck Creek is neighborly, polite, and God-fearing— all in squeaky-clean candy-box Technicolor. Fortunately, the cast blends in nicely— a sparkly Powell, a dreamy Granger, and a perky Ann Miller tap-dancing her way as usual into everyone's heart. Also, mustn't overlook a gangly Bobby Van stealing the show with a 5-minute bunny hop through town-- I'm exhausted just thinking about that.Unfortunately, the vocals are pretty forgettable, with the exception of Handel's Messiah that closes the film. Too bad Nat King Cole didn't get to croon one of his signature tunes, like Mona Lisa. Nothing special here, just a lot of entertaining eye candy, courtesy that old dream machine, MGM.

Van's "hippity hop" dance number was done on the MGM back lot, not a sound stage. The movie version has at least 3 cuts, so it wasn't filmed in one long take. Busby Berkeley choreographed the number, with 8,523 hops, on both feet for 3 minutes, TRT. (It's not the same as "Take Me to Broadway" which is danced inside his father's store.In recent years, the "Jumping Song" performed by Bobby Van has been referenced in commercials and music videos, including one for Goldfrapps song "Happiness", in which a happy man jumps through the streets, shaking hands with people and playing with garbage can lids.Rick Belrow Livingston (Farley Granger), in love with self-obsessed Broadway star Lisa, (Ann Miller), is sentenced to 30 days in jail for speeding through a small town. Quite by accident, he meets the daughter of the judge, Cindy Kimbell (Jane Powell). He persuades her to let him out for one night, so that he can visit Lisa on the premise he is seeing his "poor sick mother" (Billie Burke) on her birthday. After tracking him down and bringing him back to town, Cindy starts to fall for Livingston, but Dr. Schemmer (S.Z. Sakall) wants her to marry his son (Bobby Van) even though he desperately wants a career on Broadway.