CD Reviews Rhino Musicals

VINCENT YOUMANS, Lyrics by Clifford Grey and Leo Robin (and others)

Rhino Records R2 76668

22 tracks - 58:36
 

The Unsinkable Molly Brown ****

MEREDITH WILLSON

Rhino Records R2 72465

28 tracks - 76:46
 

Annie Get Your Gun *****

IRVING BERLIN

Rhino Records R2 76669

31 tracks - 71:31

There are only two studios whose names are synonymous with a particular genre of film: Disney animation and MGM musicals. Each new Rhino Records release of a classic musical from the MGM vaults is always full of pleasant bonuses (outtakes, unreleased cuts) -- the current trio are especially loaded. In the case of Annie Get Your Gun the treasures are immense. The sound quality of the albums ranges from good to excellent, but for musical aficionados, the discs' benefits outweigh any sound imperfections.

With such a mighty output from one studio, there are sure to be forgotten treasures waiting to be rediscovered. I was unfamiliar with Hit the Deck, the 1955 musical starring Tony Martin, Vic Damone and Russ Tamblyn as three sailors on shore leave, and Ann Miller, Debbie Reynolds and Jane Powell as the women who love them. Based on the 1920's stage musical which itself was based on the Hubert Osborne play "Shore Leave" was adapted into a modestly successful film in 1930. As with A Star is Born and State Fair, a property-starved Hollywood was always going back to old properties to try again.

The plot of Hit the Deck is remarkably similar to the better known musical On the Town, which had a superior score by Leonard Bernstein, Adolph Green and Betty Comden. The Hit the Deck score by Vincent Yoummans, Leo Robin and Clifford Grey (with supplemental songs tacked on by various others) is not a standout. Still, there are charmers -- particularly the totally infectious "Hallelujah!" and the transplanted standard "More Than You Know," sung earnestly by Martin. The female cast also shines, from the huge production numbers that suit Ann Miller to the intimate solos like Jane Powell's "Sometimes I'm Happy." Debbie Reynolds is a bit wasted (at least on the CD), but her "A Kiss or Two" is memorably sweet. The movie is no longer available on video, although there was a laserdisc version that you might be able to track down. Hit the Deck may never be considered a hit on any level, but it's pleasant enough and will hopefully have a future life on DVD (if nothing else but to see those three gals together on screen). "Hallelujah" indeed.

Debbie Reynolds may have been short-shifted in Hit the Deck, but she is all over 1964's The Unsinkable Molly Brown, the role that got the eternally youthful actress her only Oscar nomination. Not the most graceful of musical creatures (it's no wonder Shirley Jones was passed over), Molly Brown was the true-life character who came from humble beginnings to conquer the world. Think Eliza Dolittle with a dash of Mama Rose and you'll get the idea. Of course, Molly Brown will always be remembered as one of the survivors of the Titantic (and was played with the same irascibility by Kathy Bates in the 90's James Cameron epic). Tammy Grimes played the role on Broadway to great success but was passed over for the more recognizable Reynolds. Thankfully, Grimes' leading man from stage, Harve Presnell, was allowed to recreate his performance as Molly's husband in his film debut.

The Unsinkable Molly Brown was composer Meredith Willson's follow-up to his wildly popular The Music Man, and while Molly Brown was popular at the time, it couldn't match the lofty standards or charm of its predecessor. Molly Brown did have benefit from Debbie Reynolds' go-for-broke performance (which was seen as over-the-top by some, but charming by others). When Reynolds sings her first song she comes on with such a growl that you're afraid for her vocal cords. "I Ain't Down Yet" is the most recognizable song -- plus, its previously unreleased reprise is so fun that can't help but smile each time I hear it, especially when Reynolds authoritatively sings "We're gonna learn to read and write...IN FRENCH!" Most of the other new Molly Brown tracks seem to be reprises of longer songs or incidental music.

The popularity of the James Cameron's Titanic coupled with the success of the recent Broadway revival of The Music Man makes a case for the revival of Molly Brown -- perhaps even with Kathy Bates in the title role. That would be unsinkable indeed!

The Unsinkable Molly Brown was produced at a time when the movie musical was starting its decline in popularity (especially hurt were those that didn't involve children like Oliver and The Sound of Music). This was not a problem for Annie Get Your Gun, which when it finally reached the screens in 1950 was in the thick the musical genre's popularity. It was one of MGM's biggest hits, but with all its per-production problems it's a wonder it ever made it to the screen at all.

Although a big hit on Broadway, the stage version of Annie Get Your Gun (like the stage Molly) was denied the opportunity to recreate her triumph on the big screen. Ethel Merman was passed over in favor of Judy Garland -- I find it hard to believe these two divas would ever be up for the same role. With the cast set and Busby Berkeley ready to direct, the film was thrown into a sudden tailspin when Garland had to drop out because of exhaustion and martial problems with her then husband Vincent Minnelli. When Betty Hutton was finally picked to succeed Garland a few months later, two directors were fired, and several of the actors either died or were replaced. As it turns out, Betty Hutton was an inspired choice.

Annie Get Your Gun tells the true-life tale of Annie Oakley, a country hick picked to headline a traveling Wild West show with her bulls-eye shooting. The gorgeous score features some of Irving Berlin's biggest hits including "There's No Business Like Show Business," "They Say It's Wonderful" and "Anything You Can Do." Hutton is in fine vocal form and especially good with her co-star Howard Keel in his film debut.

The album also includes a plethora of songs from the Garland recordings (most of which were unreleased except in bootleg format). This makes the CD an instant must have not just for historical value, but if you're curious to see how Garland stacks up against Hutton's performance. Garland is certainly energetic and game, but she comes off a little too genteel for a woman packing a gun.

The Annie Get Your Gun CD is being released in conjunction with a new video/DVD release (this after years of being unseen because of legal battles). The DVD also mines the Garland performances with one of the few scenes shot from the Berkeley sessions ("Doin' What Comes Natur'lly"). All these extras are phenomenal, but they shouldn't take away from the simple joy of finally getting Betty Hutton on CD as Annie Oakley, just doin' what comes natur'lly.  -- Cary Wong

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