Silk Stockings (1957)
I always thought while watching Ninotchka that instead of Melvyn Douglas in the lead, it should have been Fred Astaire. Mel’s comic timing was always great, but Fred had cuteness and charm coming out of every pore. It would have been that much more delightful if Fred said all those lines while wooing the Russian envoy, and it would have been more believable for her to fall for him if he were cute and charming. Imagine my delight to find out that Fred did play the male lead in Ninotchka – when Hollywood turned it into a musical remake in 1957!
Unfortunately, Silk Stockings isn’t very good. The songs are pretty lousy, and Cyd Charisse isn’t very likable. I realize her character is supposed to be cold and standoffish, but when she eventually thaws and falls in love, it’s supposed to be believable, isn’t it? Even if you are a fan of hers, it’s hard to get behind songs like “Stereophonic Sound”, “Fated to Be Mated” and “The Ritz Rock and Roll”. What was Cole Porter thinking? These jazzy tunes should have been rough drafts. When Fred Astaire, the greatest song salesman in screen history, can’t sell the song, you know it’s pretty bad.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "john S" for posting!
More Fred Astaire movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1939's NInotchka here!
Unfortunately, Silk Stockings isn’t very good. The songs are pretty lousy, and Cyd Charisse isn’t very likable. I realize her character is supposed to be cold and standoffish, but when she eventually thaws and falls in love, it’s supposed to be believable, isn’t it? Even if you are a fan of hers, it’s hard to get behind songs like “Stereophonic Sound”, “Fated to Be Mated” and “The Ritz Rock and Roll”. What was Cole Porter thinking? These jazzy tunes should have been rough drafts. When Fred Astaire, the greatest song salesman in screen history, can’t sell the song, you know it’s pretty bad.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "john S" for posting!
More Fred Astaire movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1939's NInotchka here!