It's Always Fair Weather

"Somebody stole my mustache. Fielding, I want that mustache returned, every hair in place."

Ted Riley (Kelly), Dough Hallerton (Dailey), and Angie Valentine (Kidd) are best friends and army buddies.  When WWII ends, they gather at Tim's (Burns) Bar to enjoy a last drink together.  They make a wager with Tim that in 10 years they will reunite at the bar and be able to pick up their friendship where they left it.

Ted abandons his dream of becoming a lawyer and is now a gambler and boxing promoter with shady connections.  Doug wanted to be an artist, but is an advertising executive on the verge of a divorce.  Angie planned to be a gourmet chef, but runs a burger joint and has a family.  They all make the reunion, but are disgusted with each other and go their separate ways.  In the process, Ted catches the eye of Jackie Leighton (Charisse), who wants to feature the men on Madeline Bradville's (Gray) TV show.


I discovered this film while checking out musicals on Netflix.  I enjoy Gene Kelly's dancing and Stanley Donen's films, and was excited to see the film debut of choreographer Michael Kidd, so I decided to give this film a chance.  Unlike many of the musicals of it's time, this film takes a more realistic approach to the story... the main characters are not happy for the majority of the film.

The film was written by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, the writing duo behind On the Town and Singin' in the Rain (among others), and was originally conceived as a sequel to On the Town.  They mentioned the idea to Kelly, who wanted them to make it a movie instead of a Broadway show.  Ultimately the film went in a different direction, focusing on Army buddies.

The film features some incredible dances.  The three male leads are talented dancers and really shine in the "The Binge" and "Once Upon A Time" sequences.  All three were supposed to have a song and dance of their own, but ultimately Kidd's number was cut from the final film (although it does appear as a Deleted Scene on the DVD).  Dan Dailey gets "Situation-Wise", which is funny.  And Kelly dances on roller skates.

The film also features 2 incredibly talented actresses.  Cyd Charisse is a phenomenal dancer, and although she doesn't dance with any of her co-stars, she gets the big "Baby You Knock Me Out" number with the boxers, which plays up her talents.  Dolores Gray is incredible.  She did not have a long film career, which is a shame, but she impresses here and in Kismet where she is paired with Howard Keel.  She is incredibly talented.  I love her "Thanks But No Thanks" (see below).  Her role is satirical and over the top, and she steals the show.

This film is considered one of the last classic musicals.  It was good and had some great moments, but I understand why it isn't as well liked as other musicals made by these talented folks.  Worth checking out.

It's Always Fair Weather (1955) 101 minutes
Director: Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly
Starring: Gene Kelly as Ted Riley
Dan Dailey as Doug Hallerton
Cyd Charisse as Jackie Leighton
Dolores Gray as Madeline Bradville
Michael Kidd as Angie Valentine
David Burns as Tim