Evening star., 1952-03-14

more about the films foundation.
The screenscript is one of those
tired meringueS handed down from
the period when musical comedy
was remarkable chiefly for its
brainlessnesS. Astaire and his new
partner are so plainly worthy OF
more consideration than this.
Productionwise, Belle of New
York" does reflect the movies re-
cent turn for the better in imagi-
nation and while its music Is
nothing to startle any one, neither
IS it anything to complain about.
The f1lm is set and coStumed in
the early goth century and one
OF its more captivating sequences
is that in which the principals
dance a series of Currier & Ives
prints to life.
Vera Ellen, a girl with pi6uant
prettinesS and great talent for
dancing, is certainly not behind
the current times but she looks
well, nevertheless, in the films
old-faShioned frame.
What is most important about
her solo female stardom in Belle
Of New York" is that it reaveals
that she is highly qualified to be
an Astare dance partner.
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Pinning its hopes upon the
dancing skill of its principals, the
Capitol picture runs them through
an impressive dance range. A few
OF the areas in which they dance
are the f1agpoles of a public build
ing. the upper air, a pond in
Central Park, the running board
OF q horse-drawn streetcar, etc.
Ballet. acrobatics, tap and ball
room rountines, and one on ice
skates. get into the cavalcade.
This is a lot of dancing and
most Of it is sheer pleasure to
see.
The silly little fable which pro-
Vides the structure of Belle of
New York" is the work of three
writer's whose names are no more
important than their work. They
present Astaire as a charming
society playboy who dabbles reck-
lessly in romance until he meets
Vera Ellen. She's rich, too, but
OF a serious turn of mind. Her
days and nights are devoted to
missionary work among the poor
and sinful and although Astaire
lacks the first qualification, he
more than possesses the other.
Next to the principal pair, the
genius most prominent in the
CapitoPs new feature is the cam
era technician who figured out
the trick of permitting Astaire
and Vera Ellen to dance on air.
He is so good at his work in GER
tain sequences that trying to figure
out his tricks tempts the mind
away from the actual steps the
dancers are performing
Neither Astaire nor Vera Ellen
Is the best singer anyone ever
heard, but both have a pleasant
way with the songs of Belle of
New York" These include SUCH
a couple of ballads, Seems Be-
levin" and Naughty But Nice" ;"
that are agreeable and a novelty
rhythm tune "Oops," that come
on with at least passing grades.
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Hollywood also provided the
principal talent for this weeks
stage show at the Capitol. It's two
top performers are Polly Bergen,
songstress, who has prettily sur
vived two films with Dean Martin
and Jerry Lewis, and Jeromel
Courtland who was one of the
standouts in battle-ground" The
comedy of Low, Hite and Stanley
and the novelty of the Olveras
round out the bill.
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ou41CInL UOdIO. 1II6T6 WILL De
tryouts for several male. one fe-
male, role in the Mounts Vernon
Players "Hasty Heart" produc-
ton on Monday and Tuesday eve
nings. Z. The time is 8 pm, the
place Undercroft Auditorium,
Ninth street and Massachusetts,
avenue. :. Beth Dean. American
ballet dancer who spent five years
In New Zealand studying Maori cul-
ture will give a lecture-recital
March 20 at Corcoran Art Gallery
under the auspices Of the INSTITUTED
Of Contemporary Arts. VARIETY
Club will hold its annual st. Pat
rick's Day party tomorrow night
at its Willard headquarters. :.
Theater Lobby. Inc. will present
Ibsen's Ghosts" as its next pro-
duction. First performance is
set for March 20. It is the