Lovely to Look At - Warner Archive Collection

The nine musicals Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers made at RKO in the 1930s were so well produced, directed, and performed, only one of them fell victim to a remake. That film was 1935's Roberta, an adaptation of a successful Broadway show with memorable tunes by composer Jerome Kern and lyricist Otto Harbach (with an occasional assist from Dorothy Fields). Seventeen years later, MGM acquired the property's rights and mounted Lovely to Look At, which takes its title from the Oscar-nominated song Kern and Harbach wrote for the Roberta movie. Like most remakes, Lovely to Look At doesn't measure up to the original (which is arguably Astaire and Rogers' most underrated film), but with a star-studded cast that includes Kathryn Grayson, Red Skelton, Howard Keel, Ann Miller, and Marge and Gower Champion, the full Broadway score, and glorious Technicolor, director Mervyn Leroy's film is a delightful, occasionally dazzling confection that honors both Roberta and MGM's lofty musical legacy.

Lovely to Look At revamps most of Roberta's plot, but story was always the show's weakest aspect, so the changes aren't a big deal, except for the elimination of the character of Roberta, a key figure in the 1935 film. Most notably, the remake restores several songs from the Broadway score that the 1935 film dropped and retains two classic Kern songs that were added to the movie version of Roberta - the clever and lilting "I Won't Dance," which came from another Kern show that flopped, and the aforementioned "Lovely to Look At." While the narrative changes don't particularly elevate Lovely to Look At, the restoration of the score does, as it provides the best cinematic record of the original show's music.

The lightweight story focuses on the efforts of three pals (Skelton, Keel, and Gower Champion) to find financial backing for their new show. After numerous rejections, Al Marsh (Skelton) learns he's inherited half of a chic Parisian dress shop from his wealthy Aunt Roberta. The trio hightails it to France, hoping to unload Al's share for the cash they need, but upon their arrival, the other two heirs, long-time employees Stephanie (Grayson) and Clarisse (Marge Champion), inform them the salon is bankrupt. Al and his cronies believe a benefit fashion show featuring their original songs and Stephanie and Clarisse's designs will resuscitate the shop and bankroll their musical, but myriad romantic complications threaten everyone's hopes and dreams. Of course, all the couplings work themselves out in time for the happily-ever-after fadeout.

Sandwiched between two Grayson-Keel blockbusters, Show Boat and Kiss Me, Kate, Lovely to Look At often gets lost in the shuffle, but it holds up well, thanks to its timeless tunes and spirited performances. Grayson and Keel, who memorably sang Kern's Show Boat score the year before, continue to refine their dramatic and musical chemistry that would reach its peak in the following year's Kiss Me, Kate, but adding Skelton for comic relief (his zany monologue includes a couple of obvious improv interjections that ramp up the laugh quotient), the tiptop tap talent of the leggy Miller, and the ballroom grace and elegance of Mr. and Mrs. Champion make the film a true ensemble piece. Lovely to Look At also marks the film debut of the exotic and beautiful Zsa Zsa Gabor (who doesn't speak a word of English) and features a boisterous turn from the always colorful Kurt Kasznar.

Musical highlights include Grayson's gorgeous rendition of the well-worn ballad "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," Miller's energetic tap routine built around the brash and buoyant "I'll Be Hard to Handle" (sadly, that's the only song and dance Miller performs in the film), and the Champion's two dance numbers. Though no dance duo can compare to Astaire and Rogers, Marge and Gower come close with a spectacular ballet set to "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and a charming take on "I Won't Dance."

The climactic fashion show sequence might seem excessive and overlong, but when I learned it was the last hurrah and cinematic swan song for MGM's iconic costume designer Adrian, I viewed it in a different light. Adrian dressed some of MGM's biggest stars, from Greta Garbo, Norma Shearer, and Joan Crawford to Katharine Hepburn, Greer Garson, and Hedy Lamarr. He even designed the gingham dress Judy Garland wore in The Wizard of Oz. Amazingly, he never won - nor was he ever even nominated for - an Oscar. Though he stopped designing for films in the mid-1940s, MGM coaxed him back for Lovely to Look At, and his gowns are stunning, exuding his trademark style, glamor, and creativity. The musical numbers may grab the lion's share of attention, but if you watch Lovely to Look At, take some time to admire and appreciate Adrian's impeccable work.

Lovely to Look At could be classified as an assembly-line MGM musical. The studio had long before perfected the formula and Lovely to Look At - pardon the pun - hits all the right notes. It doesn't merit crème-de-la-crème status, but it's a solid, entertaining cog in MGM's massive musical wheel. It may not eclipse Roberta, but it's a satisfying remake that does its source proud.

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray
Lovely to Look At arrives on Blu-ray packaged in a standard case. Video codec is 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 and audio is DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono. Once the disc is inserted into the player, the static menu without music immediately pops up; no previews or promos precede it.

A brand new 4K scan of the original Technicolor camera negatives yields an arresting 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 transfer that celebrates the lush cinematography of 13-time Oscar-nominee George Folsey. Excellent clarity and contrast, coupled with a lovely grain structure, produce a vibrant film-like image that brims with detail and depth. Deep blacks and bright, stable whites please the eye, but it's the Technicolor that steals the show. Bold reds, emerald greens, deep purples, royal blues, and a host of pastels dazzle the senses, while flesh tones appear natural and remain stable throughout. Costume textures and adornments like feathers and sequins are well defined, and sharp close-ups showcase Skelton's ginger hair, Grayson's creamy complexion, and Keel's rugged good looks. No digital anomalies crop up, and the print is free of any annoying nicks, marks, and scratches. This transfer is lovely to look at, indeed!

Musicals demand strong soundtracks and this DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono track meets all the qualifications. The clear, well-modulated sound fills the room with ease, thanks to a wide dynamic scale that effortlessly handles all of Grayson's high notes, Keel's big-barreled baritone, and the brass, strings, and percussion in the lush orchestrations. Excellent fidelity and tonal depth enhance the musical numbers and all the dialogue is well prioritized and comprehendible. Sonic accents like the rattling, jerky movements of the temperamental elevator are crisp and no age-related hiss, pops, or crackle intrude.

Just a couple of extras adorn the disc.

• Vintage Short: Have You Ever Wondered? (SD, 10 minutes) - This amusing one-reeler, part of the long-running Pete Smith Specialty series, answers some burning life questions like whether women are better drivers than men and what's the monthly take of a gumball machine with Smith's usual mixture of slapstick, sarcastic jabs, and weird non-sequiturs.
• Vintage Cartoon: Dog Trouble (HD, 8 minutes) - Tom and Jerry join forces (yes, you read that right) against a bullying bulldog in this lively and entertaining cartoon.
• Theatrical Trailer (SD, 3 minutes) - The film's original preview hypes Adrian's gowns, Jerome Kern's melodious score, and promises "only once in a generation is there a show like this!"

Lovely to Look At is packed with stars, brims with classic Jerome Kern tunes, and boasts several exhilarating musical numbers. Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Red Skelton, Ann Miller, and Marge and Gower Champion sing, dance, and clown to perfection in this charming, lightweight musical that will delight fans of the genre. Warner Archive's brand new 4K scan of the original Technicolor camera negatives is definitely lovely to look at (and then some!) and the remastered audio is music to the ears. Highly Recommended.