Ann Miller | Hollywood Yesterday

Vera-Ellen, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Betty Garrett, Ann Miller, and Jules Munshin: On the Town (Wonderful Musical, Perfect Cast)

September 24, 2022 By Joi

Vera-Ellen and Gene Kelly, On the Town

On the Town (1949, directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly) is such a wonderful musical – each time I see it, the same thoughts swirl around my head….

We simply do NOT talk enough about Vera-Ellen. She was an absolute treasure and treasures should be loudly celebrated.
Frank Sinatra, while (deservedly) celebrated for his music, voice, entertainment skills, and charisma, does not get enough credit for his acting. He had so much talent as an actor and was VERY versatile. Drama, musicals, comedy – there wasn’t a role out of his reach.
Betty Garrett was the very definition of a flawless performer. She was mesmerizing in every role, every scene… so much energy and always so fun to watch. Whatever film this actress made, she made you fall in love with her character AND her!
Jules Munshin was an absolute GENIUS… he managed (with aplomb!) not to get lost in scenes with not one but TWO iconic legends in Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra. Seriously.. how does one even think about pulling that off? What’s more, he even manages to steal a few scenes. This wonderful performer should have been given more roles. He was truly something else!
Speaking of “should have been given more,” one of the first names that always comes to mind with these words is the stunningly beautiful and talented Ann Miller. She was never anything less than a knock-out and, like Jules, a complete scene-stealer… yet, Hollywood consistently relegated her to supporting roles or the “second female.” She was capable and deserving of so much more.

Frank Sinatra

On the Town was the third (and final) movie Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra made together. Frank Sinatra would go on to say in an interview, “I could never dance, but Gene Kelly made me look like I could.”

Could have fooled me!

Betty Garrett and Frank Sinatra

Ironically, when I first saw the movie (as a teenager), my initial response to the pairing of Betty Garrett and Frank Sinatra was negative…. okay, hugely negative. Why? I have no idea. But I distinctly remember the characters all showing up on my tv screen and my mentally pairing them up differently… Frank Sinatra with Vera-Ellen, Gene Kelly with Ann Miller, and Betty Garrett with Jules Munshin.

Yes… pairing them completely different than they were in actuality! When it became apparent how each couple was to be paired, I was okay with two of the three but completely not buying into Betty and Frank.

Long story short, they won me over before the movie was even half over. What’s more, guess which pair is my favorite each and every time I revisit this movie. You guessed it, Frank and Betty.

Having said that, I love each couple with all my heart, but… well… feel a little something extra for the one I took a few minutes to warm up to.

Ann Miller and Jules Munshin

You can find On the Town on dvd (Amazon link) or watch the magic on Prime Video.

Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, and Jane Powell: Hit the Deck

March 4, 2021 By Joi

Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, and Jane Powell

Hit the Deck is one of those musicals that’s just a delight to watch. The dresses, the hairstyles, the shoes, the jewelry, the beautiful dancing and singing – it’s just a pleasure to watch and I take pleasure in it every time it’s on. I will be buying the dvd soon because Jane Powell is one of the stars I collect.. which means I must have everything pertaining to her – movies, magazines, books, collector’s cards, photos – ALL OF IT!

There are a number of stars who I, personally, am trying to make better known. Jane Powell is one of them. There are a few reasons why Jane Powell may not be as well-known as other actresses from old Hollywood and none of them have anything to do with the beautiful and talented actress, herself.

She only made 26 feature films. While this absolutely makes a wonderful career, fewer movies made = fewer people seeing a particular star.
Except for one (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers), her movies aren’t shown as often as many other old movies.
Generally speaking, with few exceptions, musicals aren’t watched by the whole family as other films are.
While Jane Powell was/is remarkably beautiful, it was never her beauty that was publicized. Actresses who weren’t “pinups” didn’t have the free publicity that comes with being seen just about everywhere.

You can watch Hit the Deck on Prime Video or order the dvd (Amazon link).

Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds, and Jane Powell

Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, and Ann Miller: Behind the Scenes of Kiss Me Kate

December 28, 2020 By Joi

Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, and Ann Miller

Apparently I am incapable of ever having a conversation about Ann Miller without wondering why she never got the “leading lady, star treatment.” She was incredibly talented – great actress AND great dancer… and beautiful? Please! She was so beautiful that she often outshined those who did get the “leading lady, star treatment.”

She also had a great deal of charisma and personality that came through onscreen… again, often outshining the rest.

Okay, I’m through bellyaching now. She had a tremendous career and all of us who are huge fans of musicals KNOW the beautiful footprints she left all over the genre. I believe she HAD to have made other stars step up (literally) their game.

Kiss Me Kate is one of my favorite Ann Miller movies – I think it’s just adorable. The film also stars Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, and Keenan Wynn.

You can find the Kiss Me Kate dvd on Amazon or watch the movie on Prime Video.

Ann Miller: Beautiful, Talented, Charismatic, and then Some

October 26, 2020 By Joi

Ann Miller

As I’ve often said, there are certain stars who have careers or levels of fame that bumfuzzle me. How some stars hit it BIG while other, easily as talented (often even more so) stars never quite took off. How some stars are so remembered today that they’re household names EVEN in households that don’t even like old Hollywood.

Uncultured mortals!

Or how certain stars were given chances that weren’t afforded to other (again, just as worthy stars). This would be where Ann Miller’s career and filmography frustrate me. How was this stunningly beautiful and ridiculously talented lady not used in more films? Why was she not given leading lady roles – the girl everyone was chasing.

I mean.. come on… why wouldn’t they?!?

Don’t get me wrong, she has a VERY impressive filmography and outstanding body of work but her talent should have dictated a career and level of fame where, if the name were mentioned to one from the uncultured crowd, they could name, at the very least, two of her movies.

As it is… people who aren’t as engrossed in old movies and classic Hollywood as I am usually react like this when I mention Ann Miller, “I know the name… she was a brunette, right?”

Right. She was a brunette.

I sat down to post her as the picture of the day with ZERO intention of ranting and raving… and yet here we are! Ha, that’s vintage me.

Before wrapping it up, I hasten to say that I was joking… okay, mostly joking… when I referred to those unfamiliar with Old Hollywood as uncultured. I have a bunch of them in my own family, so I have nothing but love for them.

Okay… maybe a hint of contempt…

Ha… I kid!

Ann Miller: Kiss Me Kate Promotional Photo

August 26, 2020 By Joi

Ann Miller, Kiss Me Kate (1953)

I just ate an entire bowl of butter pecan ice cream and proceeded to sit down and post a picture of the fit and stunning Ann Miller.

Who does that to themselves!?!

If my legs looked like Ann’s legs did, I would simply never cover them up. Summer, winter, fall, spring… weather wouldn’t matter. I’d have those pins on display for the world to see every day of the year!

Now that we have that settled, have you seen the musical Kiss Me Kate (1953)? I saw it recently for the first time and liked it a lot. Ann Miller is one of my favorite musical stars and I had read that this was her favorite role – so I was especially anxious to see it. The film was wonderful and she was even more so.

The film also stars Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, and Keenan Wynn.

You can find Kiss Me Kate (link to the dvd) on Amazon. It doesn’t appear to be on Prime Video yet.

Ann Miller: Shakin’ the Blues Away (Easter Parade, 1948)

April 12, 2019 By Joi

Many things mystify me in life… things that leave me shaking my head as a swarm of question marks fly around said head. One major mystification is this: How was Ann Miller always a supporting cast member – a friend or acquaintance of the leading lady or man. She was head to toe beautiful, head to toe full of personalty, and head to tapping toe packed with talent.

Truth be told, she was nothing short of mesmerizing.

And yet… well… hence the many ??????????s!

Below the one and only Ann Miller works her magic in her Shakin’ the Blues Away number from the wonderful Easter Parade.

Beautiful Ann Miller: Gorgeous in Red!

April 1, 2019 By Joi

Ann Miller: Easter Parade Promotional Photo

I remember the first time I saw Easter Parade – I had only seen Ann Miller in “likable” roles and was completely taken off guard by her being so nasty! I quickly realized, however, that she was delicious in the role and enjoyed every second of her and the film. I always get a kick out of watching a star when they’re given a chance to branch out from their usual screen personas. Sometimes the star makes the most of it (like Ann Miller in Easter Parade) and other times they fall smack on their face.

If you’ve never seen Easter Parade (1948), I could not recommend it more. Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Ann Miller, and Peter Lawford are wonderful in this beautiful musical. It’s a lot of fun and visually gorgeous.

You can find Easter Parade (link to the dvd) on Amazon.

Ann Miller at Her Best (And What “Best” it is!)

September 11, 2018 By Joi

It is astounding to me that Ann Miller didn’t have multiple shows built around her – she had the beauty, the charisma, the voice, the acting talent, the stage presence… and could she ever dance?! We are lucky that she had so many wonderful roles and performances, though, so I won’t complain.

Much, that is. 😉