source: The Girl Most Likely

Trailer—The Girl Most Likely

The Girl Most Likely

This was almost identical to Ginger Rogers' "Tom,Dick and Harry" from 1941.

I saw this film last night on the TCM network and it was really strange. There was a rather un politically correct dance sequence that involved Native Americans (well actually not native Americans) and Cliff Robertson appeared as a "Chief" who appears to be smoking something rather strong in his peace pipe as he passes out a few times during the number. There is also another scene in which the rich guy drives Jane Powell home from Tijuana in a taxi with the cab driver in the back seat and the rich guy is drunk as a lord, yikes what would MADD have to say about that! Overall the musical score was weak but there was an interesting dance number on a flooded stage that was shall we say unique. I'm not quite sure I would recommend this film unless the watcher had some of that stuff that Cliff Robertson had in that pipe in the Indian number but hey it is a surreal film who knows you might like it.

A most dispiriting way for good director Mitchell Leisen to call it a career. Just a tired, somnolent, lifeless affair all around with songs by Blaine and Martin that show just how far Balboa is from St. Louis in time, space and musical quality. Aside from an interesting Gower Champion choreographed dance number that nicely subverts the 1950s ethos of materialism, status and conformity (and which is itself promptly subverted by the entire film's underlying message that all a woman needs to be fulfilled is a man to take care of her) and some interesting glimpses of Orange County's South Bay before it became an official adjunct of Palm Beach this is Newt Minnow's vast wasteland five years before the FCC chair made that infamous statement re: TV. Oh well, at least it performed one vital public service, namely removing Jane Powell from the big screen. Give it a C.

This role was so beneath Powell. You can see why she left Hollywood two years later. She is almost 30 years old here and still being given the part of the young innocent being courted for marriage. I have no problem with the premise but the storyline and direction is totally amateur hour. This is really at the beginning of movies taking a turn for the worse as the studio system collapses. The one interesting thing about this film from a sociological perspective is you can really see the beginning of the sexual revolution as there is a scene here where there are teams of couples on the beach wrapped around each other (you will see a lot more of this in the next five-year period with all of the beach party movies).

Disappointing 1957 musical where within an 1 hour and 40 minutes, Jane Powell gets engaged to 3 guys at the same time. The Gauer Champion choreography is its usual greatness. Dancing sequence of "Keeping up with the Joneses" is memorable as well as the scene with all the dancing in Mexico. Powell does nicely in the part but is not convincing in the comedy scenes where she has had one too many. Tommy Noonan is good as her original guy who is an ambitious salesman. Cliff Robertson, who she meets by jumping over-board is young and simple. Keith Andes, as the wealthy guy, looks old for 1957. Una Merkel, who seemed to fit in nicely in the 1950s in mother roles, is along for the ride. The ending is somewhat of a surprise and proves that wealth isn't everything.

This is one of my all time favorite movies. I love the soundtrack and the musical numbers. I bought the soundtrack first and fell in love with music without even knowing what the movie was about. Then I saw the movie and loved it! The cast is wonderful! Jane Powell is beautiful and her voice...amazing! Cliff Robertson, Keith Andes, and Tommy Noonan are great as the intendeds and Kay Ballard plays a great sidekick. The musical number at the beach is so fun and energetic and I love the musical number with Jane and Cliff as an Indian couple with a tribe of kids. It's a delightful, happy movie to curl up to and enjoy. It takes you back to much simpler, innocent days. I love seeing the small California beach towns, such as Balboa, as they were in the 50's. I've looked everywhere to try to find a copy of the movie and I can' t find it. I hope it is re-released someday soon!

This movie features mostly people not known for their singing or their dancing... singing and dancing. The story is pretty weak and the musical numbers and dances are uninspired to put it mildly. Some of the principals were fortunate enough to be in much better films than this; how they ended up here I don't know but it's just a lame effort. The sets and color are nice enough and there are some interesting period touches for the 1950's, but overall, it's not a movie you'll finish watching (if you DO finish it) and want to see it ever again.