Watch April in Paris For Free

Too much of everything

A Masterpiece!

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Copyright 3 December 1952 by Warner Bros Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Paramount: 24 December 1952. U.S. release: 3 January 1953. U.K. release: 6 April 1953. Australian release: 29 April 1953. Sydney opening at the Regent. 9,057 feet, 100 minutes. NOTES: Number 42 at Australian ticket windows for 1953. While the film itself did not break into the ranks of the top thirty domestic box-office champions, Doris Day herself was voted number 7 of the nation's money-making stars of 1952 in a poll of all U.S. exhibitors conducted by The Motion Picture Herald. Ray Bolger was often berated by director Butler during shooting for his efforts to crowd Doris Day. Why the egotistic Bolger should try these tricks to overshadow his co-star is a mystery. He is extremely well treated throughout and often seems to be enjoying an undisputed lead. He even has an elaborate special effects solo in which he dances with himself as both a costumed Washington and Grant. COMMENT: Just because a movie was popular in all sections of the community (the carriage trade, the middle classes, the workers), doesn't mean critics have to look for faults. April in Paris far from deserves its so-so critical reputation. For at least three-quarters of the way through, the dialogue is not only bright and snappy with fast, witty comebacks, but even amusingly risqué. It's true the fountain runs a bit dry towards the close, and is therefore replaced by unlikely farce, but even this comparative wasteland is enlivened by a delightfully photographed production number for Doris Day. As for the songs, though they seemed no more than mildly pleasant at the time, they have improved with repetition. What's more, they're colorfully staged. Bolger's comic dancing, lithe and superbly timed, is such a joy, so cleverly choreographed in fact, one wishes there were more. Miss Day herself is a gem, whilst Dauphin makes the ideal spoof of a Frenchman. It all just goes to show how spoilt we were back in 1953. A film as pacy, as superbly photographed and never mind the expense, with the occasional inventive bit of direction, would cause a sensation if newly released today. (And some of the dialogue, amazingly frank for 1952, would also seem right at home).

I don't happen to like the title song of April in Paris, but if you don't like it either, there are other songs in this screwball musical starring Doris Day, Ray Bolger, and Claude Dauphin. The best one is "I'm Gonna Ring the Bell Tonight", but if you don't feel like sitting through this rather silly flick just for that, you can watch the clip on YouTube. In this midst of Doris's silver screen heyday, she plays a chorus girl who enjoys a trip to Paris-I'm sure you can guess the month she goes-to represent the American government. But, while she's kept on a short leash and not allowed to cut loose, lest she soil the great American name, she meets Ray Bolger and they sing and dance their way into each other's hearts.This isn't my favorite Doris Day movie by far, but if you love watching all her movies, you can rent this one. It'll probably end up being a movie you remember as, "Oh yeah, I think I saw that one," but it won't hurt you to watch.

Sam (Ray Bolger) works for the State Department and has made a major mistake. Having worked his way up, he is aghast to find that he has sent an invitation for a diplomatic event in Paris to a chorus gal, Ethel "Dynamite" Jackson (Doris Day). One supposes that in the Thirties, Ethel Jackson is a rather common name. But, when Sam goes to "un- invite" Ethel, he arrives just as her fellow chorus girls are throwing a Bon Voyage party. It's awkward to say the least. Nevertheless, when the party finishes, Sam breaks the news. As can be expected, this Dynamite explodes and cries. Sam leaves. The next day, the State Department superior says it was a stroke of genius that Sam invited Ethel as a common citizen and a beauty to be part of the event. Horrors! Now, Sam has to go and persuade a still upset Ethel to go with the group. He succeeds. As the snooty uppercrust officials try to "reform" Ethel's demeanor, way of speaking, and table etiquette, she rebels. Not only that, Sam, an engaged gentleman with his fiancée on board, starts to fall for Ethel hard and visa versa. Yet, this would probably spell trouble for his future diplomatic career. Will love bloom in an April in Paris? This lovely musical is a winning combination of song, dance, and fun. Day and Bolger are a terrific couple and, wow, can they hoof it and dazzle in song. Some of the numbers are so imaginative, too, with Bolger performing a fun scene with President Washington's portrait! Day, too, dances it up in the ship's galley with pots, pans, and cooks. Viewers will also admire the supporting cast, costumes, scenery, script and direction. Don't wait until April, musical fans, to watch this film. It's a winner twelve months of the year!

April in paris is a great movie to watch on a rainy day. Doris day does a splendid job here, but the true star is Ray Bolger, who makes a fantastic co-star, and is really quite a handsome fellow...definitely my favorite in this film!