The Film Collection
THE FILMS On the Town Royal Wedding Singin’ in the Rain Seven Brides for Seven Brothers It’s Always Fair Weather Funny Face
ON THE TOWN
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JO Singin’ in the Rain.
OFYU UP Meet Me in St. Louis
“Getting involved is so… so… involving.” — Ivy Smith
According to information contained in the file on the film in the MPAA/PCA Collection at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Library, the Breen Office refused to allow the use of the word “helluva” in the song “New York, New York, it’s a helluva town.” MGM later changed the word to “wonderful.”
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ROYAL WEDDING
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“This is a pretty box of pickles!” — Irving Klinger
Fred Astaire and Jane Powell sing “How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Love You When You Know I’ve Been a Liar All My Life,” the longest song title in a Hollywood film.
SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN
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“You have to show a movie at a party. It’s a Hollywood law.” — Cosmo Brown
Cyd Charisse had to be taught how to smoke for her vampy dance sequence.
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In Gene Kelly’s ‘Singing in the Rain’ sequence, the taps he makes do not match up with the actual movements of his feet, they are much more complicated than the steps he makes. Since he could not tap dance in wet loafers, Kelly had to do the dance in the studio, and the taps were added into the picture later on.
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SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS
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“Can’t make no vows to a herd of cows.” — Caleb Pontipee
For the brides’ costumes, designer Walter Plunkett went to the Salvation Army, found old quilts and turned them into dresses.
IT’S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER
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“There must be a more dignified way to sell Klenzrite… like you, taking a bath in it, naked in Macy’s window.” — Doug Hallerton
The picture was a financial disappointment. Some film historians cite this failure as prime evidence that the original Hollywood musical had begun to lose its box office clout around 1955.
FUNNY FACE
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“Duval, please! I can’t hear myself think, and I’m trying to think in French!” — Maggie Prescott
The soggy weather played havoc with the shooting of the wedding dress dance scene. Both Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn were continually slipping in the muddy and slippery grass.