Blu-ray Review A Few Words About A few words about...™ - Let's Dance -- in Blu-ray (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

One might hope that a film starring Betty Hutton (first billing) and Fred Astaire would be something special and terrific.

Let's Dance, directed by Norman Z. McLeod, a long-time Paramount contract filmmaker, responsible for the likes of Monkey Business( 1931), Topper and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and The Paleface might be better.

It isn't.

The release is probably best for Astaire and Hutton devotees.

Filmed in 3-strip Technicolor, Kino's new Blu-ray, via Paramount is a faded-looking, very un-Technicolorish affair. The basics are there. The general tonalities are in place, but it lacks any vibrancy. First clue is the main title sequence. No clean-up, but little is probably necessary. I'm presuming this is base upon an older IP re-combine that's serviceable, but nothing special.

Image – 5.5

Audio – 8

Pass / Fail – Pass

Plays nicely with projectors - Yes

Worth your attention - 2

Slipcover rating - n/a

Upgrade from DVD - No reason not to

RAH




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https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Dance-B...=1706954163&sprefix=let's+dance,aps,79&sr=8-1

 

[Joel Arndt]

Count me in as an Astaire devotee, so I'll be buying this even though the PQ is less than stellar and since it's never been released on DVD, only VHS and LD.

 

[Keith Cobby]

A disappointing review but I'm not sure I was going to buy this anyway (no sale prices for us overseas!) as I am not a fan of Miss Hutton. Still hoping that WA releases Three Little Words this year.

 

[jayembee]

I'm a fan of both Hutton and Astaire, so I'm in.

 

[Thomas T]

It's Fred Astaire dancing! Enough said, I'm in.

btw, Astaire's done far worse films: Story Of Vernon And Irene Castle, Second Chorus, Belle Of New York, The Sky's The Limit to name just four.

 

[Into The Archives]

Well, Let's Dance is slightly better than Second Chorus (1940), but that’s not saying much (and this is coming from someone who like Yolanda and the Thief)

 

[filmnoirguy]

I'm a fan of both Astaire & Hutton. I've seen Let's Dance once and I won't be buying it.

 

[MartinP.]

^^^
So you CAN stop talkin' about it & talkin' about it & talkin about it...?

 

[dukiejosh54]

Can't wait to get this! I have never seen it and I love Betty Hutton. It's a shame more of her movies aren't available on Home video.

 

[jayembee]

Can't wait to get this! I have never seen it and I love Betty Hutton. It's a shame more of her movies aren't available on Home video.

Well, an even half of her films (10 out of 20) are available on home video. And that's just counting BD, DVD, and LD; not VHS or Beta. The sad part is that only three of those ten (and one of her short films) are in HD.

 

[dukiejosh54]

Well, an even half of her films (10 out of 20) are available on home video. And that's just counting BD, DVD, and LD; not VHS or Beta. The sad part is that only three of those ten (and one of her short films) are in HD.

Ya very true and a few of them like Stork Club & The Perils of Pauline are public domain so the quality is not great. I did come across The Spanish DVD release of Red, Hot and Blue on ebay today. Does anyone know how the quality is and if it's region free?

 

[Jeff Fearnside]

I'm a fan of both Astaire & Hutton. I've seen Let's Dance once and I won't be buying it.

@filmnoirguy, I'm a huge fan of both actors as well. Can you tell why you don't like this particular film? The consensus seems to be that it's mediocre, and I'm just wondering how it falls flat. I've never seen it, but I was going to make a blind buy based just on my admiration for those involved in making it.

 

[Keith Cobby]

You've got to like Betty Hutton to enjoy this film. I find her unbearable and the worst of Astaire's partners.

 

[filmnoirguy]

@filmnoirguy, I'm a huge fan of both actors as well. Can you tell why you don't like this particular film? The consensus seems to be that it's mediocre, and I'm just wondering how it falls flat. I've never seen it, but I was going to make a blind buy based just on my admiration for those involved in making it.

There are 3 reasons I didn't like Let's Dance: The plot is Dull. The performances are Dull. Even the music is Dull. Somewhere in the past I read that Hutton and Astaire didn't get along while making the film. And their lack of rapport comes through loud and clear. If you haven't already gotten it, I highly recommend Betty Hutton's best musical, the Blu-ray version of Annie Get Your Gun. I originally had it on DVD and was disappointed in the print quality. But the Blu-ray restoration is spectacular, as is the musical!

 

[dukiejosh54]

There are 3 reasons I didn't like Let's Dance: The plot is Dull. The performances are Dull. Even the music is Dull. Somewhere in the past I read that Hutton and Astaire didn't get along while making the film. And their lack of rapport comes through loud and clear. If you haven't already gotten it, I highly recommend Betty Hutton's best musical, the Blu-ray version of Annie Get Your Gun. I originally had it on DVD and was disappointed in the print quality. But the Blu-ray restoration is spectacular, as is the musical!

I haven't watched Let's Dance in it's entirety yet but most of the dance scenes are uploaded on youtube. I honestly don't find the dances dull. Ya this film is obviously not up there with The Band Wagon or Easter Parade but The music numbers are enjoyable in my opinion. I think most people who are buying this blu-ray are buying it for it's stars Fred & Betty and also the fact that it's a piece of Musical film history.

 

[Robin9]

You've got to like Betty Hutton to enjoy this film. I find her unbearable and the worst of Astaire's partners.

Joan Fontaine. She didn't dance, probably because she couldn't.

 

[Jeff Fearnside]

There are 3 reasons I didn't like Let's Dance: The plot is Dull. The performances are Dull. Even the music is Dull. Somewhere in the past I read that Hutton and Astaire didn't get along while making the film. And their lack of rapport comes through loud and clear. If you haven't already gotten it, I highly recommend Betty Hutton's best musical, the Blu-ray version of Annie Get Your Gun. I originally had it on DVD and was disappointed in the print quality. But the Blu-ray restoration is spectacular, as is the musical!

Thanks, @filmnoirguy. As to Annie Get Your Gun, absolutely I have the WAC Blu-ray and love it!

 

[warnerbro]

I'm wondering whether to get this or not. I'm tempted, but all of the above sounds like an ominous warning.

 

[David Weicker]

I'm wondering whether to get this or not. I'm tempted, but all of the above sounds like an ominous warning.

the movie is fine.
It's not top-tier Astaire, but has many entertaining sequences.

 

[davidmatychuk]

We showed the wonderful Fred Astaire piano scene to our dinner guests on Saturday night. It put big grins on our faces. The movie isn't great, but parts of it are, and I'm very glad to have such a nice Blu-Ray of it in my collection.