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You'll Never Get Rich [1941]


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Editorial
Amazon.com

They don't make the most obvious screen couple--if you squint, you might think Stan Laurel had gotten together with Lauren Bacall--but their differences only serve to make this effervescent musical all the more entertaining. You'll Never Get Rich is the first of two that Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth made together (followed by You Were Never Lovelier). Astaire, who stars as choreographer-turned-soldier Robert Curtis, has rarely been looser, and Hayworth, as dancer Sheila Winthrop, has rarely been more graceful. As in Royal Wedding, Astaire also engages in some fancy solo footwork. Robert Benchley and Frieda Inescort provide priceless support as Robert's philandering boss and his clever wife, and Cole Porter composed the music, including "So Near and Yet So Far," "Dream Dancing," and the Oscar®-nominated "Since I Kissed My Baby Goodbye." You'll Never Get Rich is timeless, escapist fun that also serves to prove that sometimes opposites don't just attract--they can make beautiful music together. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Editorial
Synopsis

Martin Cortland, a philandering Broadway producer, has the habit of hitting on chorus girls and giving them expensive trinkets. Whenever he finds himself in trouble with Mrs. Cortland, Martin just coerces dancer-director Robert Curtis (Fred Astaire) into taking the blame for his overtures. This time, Mrs. Cortland catches Martin hitting on Sheila Winthrop (Rita Hayworth)-- an affable and alluringly beautiful woman. Robert agrees to bail Cortland out one more time, but he finds himself in trouble with Shelia's protective older brother. Robert joins the Army to avoid confronting Shelia's sibling, only to discover he's an officer in the army. Luckily, Martin is going to produce a show for the troops and hire Robert to direct the effort -- keeping him safe from bodily harm. Robert may be in the army now, but at least he can woo lovely Shelia for himself. Academy Award Nominations: Best Song ("Since I Kissed My Baby Goodbye"), Best Scoring of a Musical Picture.

A Disappointment
Review date: 2007-12-12 Rating: 4 out of 10

I loved the pairing of Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth in the delightfully fanciful "You Were Never Lovelier" with its beautiful Jerome Kern score and elegant dance numbers, but this earlier offering fails to live up to the same standard.

The plots in these movies are always pure fluff (usually full of romantic misunderstandings and a bit of partner swapping) which only really act as a filler between the musical numbers, but are normally made watchable by some witty dialogue and entertaining performances from assorted character actors. However, the dialogue in this is unusually banal and bereft of any real humour, making the non-musical scenes extremely tedious.

As for the music, it's certainly not Cole Porter at his best, to put it kindly. He's not in his element writing rousing military numbers. Hayworth looks gorgeous (I always thought she looked prettier in black and white than in technicolor) and does her best with a very limited role. Her only real moment to shine is in the finale, and it's unfortunately extremely contrived and lacks the kind of panache that one would expect. As for Astaire, anyone who's seen "Top Hat" or "The Band Wagon" will know that he can do far, far better.

While not the worst movie musical I've ever seen, it's certainly not one of the best either. Only Astaire and Hayworth completists are likely to want to own their own copy, everyone else can wait until it's shown on television. It's not one that stands up well to repeat viewings.

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Reviews


I've Seen Lovelier
Review date: 2007-12-09 Rating: 4 out of 10

First of all, on the subject of Ginger Rogers: Rita is a wonderful partner for Fred but I wouldn't say that she was better than Ginger. Ginger and Rita both have a different chemistry with Fred and they have a different style of dancing. I find it impossible to choose between the two girls.

'You Were Never Lovelier' has a flimsy storyline which doesn't make much sense but it is a charming film. 'You'll Never Get Rich' has a flimsy storyline which doesn't make much sense but it has very little charm. It is worth watching for Fred and Rita's dancing but little else. If you want to see Fred and Rita in a film more worthy of their talents, watch 'You Were Never Lovelier'.

Rita Hayworth bonds with Fred Astaire wonderfully
Review date: 2007-11-29 Rating: 10 out of 10

This is an excellent musical starring Fred Astaire with Rita Hayworth. Rita Hayworth proves that she is as good as Ginger Rogers in matching the dance steps or singing with Fred Astaire; the chemistry is great in spite of the fact there is 19 years of age difference. Rita and Fred look adorable in the dance picture, which won the hearts of Time magazine and they printed that on the cover page. The movie is well directed by Sidney Lanfield, and strongly supported by the music and lyrics of Cole Porter. There are two numbers of much interest: Astaire's solo dance in the guardhouse with a black jazz chorus called the Delta Rhythm Boys and "Since I Kissed My Baby Goodbye." The other number is Astaire and Hayworth's dress rehearsal "So Near and Yet So Far," which shows Hayworth in a sheer black gown: They look beautiful together. The big finale is the "Wedding Cake Walk" with a chorus of war brides and soldiers, and Astaire and Hayworth dancing on top of a huge tank.

The plot of the movie is not so interesting; it shows Astaire as Robert Curtis, a Broadway dance director leaves the stage when he is drafted into the army. Rita Hayworth plays as Sheila Winthrop, a dancing partner of Curtis, and engaged to a captain in the army. Both her fiancée and Curtis serve in the same army camp. When Curtis realizes that he is in love with Sheila Winthrop, hatches a plan to marry her. In the big number "Wedding Cake Walk" the two is supposed to marry on stage and the wedding ceremony is conducted by a real justice of the peace. The trick works and Winthrop suddenly becomes Mrs. Curtis for real, and she accepts that! This somewhat unrealistic considering the fact Sheila is engaged, and in love with her fiancé, Tom Barton (John Hubbard), but she is glad to become the wife of Robert Curtis!! The main attraction of the movie is not really the story but the dance and music of the two stars of the story. This movie is highly recommended to all fans of Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth.


Glorious surprise
Review date: 2007-10-31 Rating: 10 out of 10

I bough this DVD because, as a devoted fan of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, I was keen to see other dance movies in which Fred starred. Fred Astaire is, as ever, unmatched but the glorious surprise is Rita Hayworth - utterly, utterly stunning and dances with a grace, precision and sheer enjoyment that left me breathless. Why oh why didn't they make more films together. Buy this and revel in skill and beauty way beyond anything available today.

Rita Hayworth AND Fred Astaire - worth every penny!!
Review date: 2005-11-19 Rating: 10 out of 10

I fell in love with Rita Hayworth more years ago than I care to remember, being dragged to watch these films with my mother. Now, far older, I can enjoy the splendid dancing of these two stars. I like Ginger, I love Cyd, but I adore Rita - would that she made more films with Fred. He is, of course, brilliant (as always) and she dances magnificently. The story isnt up to much but the tunes are all strong with a couple of standards. Black and white yes, perhaps not the best quality picture and sound, but still a marvellous treat for lovers of music and dance. I would recommend this strongly to anyone who wants to see the breadth of talent available in Hollywood at that time.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
John Hubbard
Rita Hayworth
Robert Benchley
Osa Massen
Fred Astaire

Creators:
Fred Astaire (Primary Contributor)
Rita Hayworth (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
EAN: 5035822206038
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Black & White, PAL,
Release date: 2003-11-03
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Universal, suitable for all
Region code: 2
Running time: 88 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1941-09-25
Language: English (Original Language)

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