When it comes to having a favorite genre of movie, it’s impossible for me to choose one. I love all old movies and trying to pick a favorite genre is almost like trying to pick a favorite child!
Watching a Mitzi Gaynor or Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers musical is as Heavenly for me as a John Wayne or Glenn Ford Western and a Western is as Heavenly as a Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis or Abbott and Costello comedy…. which, of course, is as Heavenly as a Barbara Stanwyck or Rita Hayworth drama.
See what I mean? Impossible. Instead of taking time to pick a favorite, I’d rather spend my time watching, enjoying, and loving each and every one. Which is, of course, exactly what I do.
I recently re-watched Anything Goes (for probably the tenth time) and, as always, I was blown away by the uncommonly gorgeous and talented Mitzi Gaynor. It should have been illegal to be that beautiful and so multi-talented. The lady could sing, dance, and act… all while looking like a gazillion bucks.
She has long been one of my favorite stars and these are, obviously, a few of the reasons. But, if we’re being honest, it goes beyond the beauty and even the talent. There was a sincerity and a pureness about each of her performances. You never watched a Mitzi Gaynor scene or musical number and thought, “Well, her heart wasn’t in that one…” She had a love of entertaining people that was palpable. Like other extra-special performers (Bob Hope, Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball, Sammy Davis, Jr come to mind), she obviously loves to bring happiness to people and, if you ask me, that’s the kind of magic that sets some stars apart from the rest.
Now I’m doing what I often do with my favorites…. babbling on! I’ll just leave you with one of my favorite Mitzi Gaynor performances and let you see what I’m trying to say for yourself.
Mitzi Gaynor Singing Anything Goes from the 1956 Movie Anything Goes:
Also See: Mitzi Gaynor: I’m In Love With a Wonderful Guy from South Pacific