Night and Day [VHS]
With Michael Curtiz (Casablanca) as director, Cary Grant in the  lead, and wall-to-wall songs by Cole Porter, how couldNight and Daylose? Why, by taking broad liberties with the composer's life story and failing to live up to expectations. If you can overlook such shortcomings, however, it's lively entertainment that doesn't completely deserve the scorn it has elicited. Grant is good as a bon vivant who had a way with words but lacked the discipline to pursue a career in law. As a singer, on the other hand, he's merely adequate. Curtiz wisely has the fine supporting actresses (Jane Wyman, Ginny Simms, etc.) handle the big numbers such  as "You're the Top." Also, Porter's story was meant for black and white. The  Technicolor process adds an unfortunate garishness to the tale of a man whose  very name has become a synonym for elegance. With Mary Martin and Monty Woolley  as themselves.--Kathleen C. Fennessy