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You've seen the story a million times. Boy loves girl. Boy loses girl. Boy gets girl. Belle of the Yukon (1944), is a lightweight MGM musical which tells the trite tale with great music, gorgeous costumes and a lively cast.
Gypsy Rose Lee in Belle of the Yukon © Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Belle Davalle (Gypsy Rose Lee) arrives in the town of Malamute, Canada, during the Yukon's gold rush, to perform in the local dancehall owned by Jack Calhoun (Randolph Scott). The couple has a history, and Belle doesn't quite believe the self-proclaimed reformed conman can be trusted. But she's willing to give him a chance to prove himself.
While Calhoun is wheeling and dealing - honestly, according to him - his establishment is being managed by Pop Candless (Charles Winninger), whose daughter Lettie (Dinah Shore) is in love with the piano player, Steve Atterbury (William Marshall).
Pop doesn't quite trust Steve, and when a letter to Steve is intercepted and misinterpreted, the authorities back in Seattle are alerted to come and get him. Of course, half the inhabitants of Malamute prepare to skip town when they hear the law is on the way, but disaster is averted when the police are diverted to Nome.
Meanwhile, plenty of singing and dancing and some slapstick humor liven up the convoluted action. The costumes by Mary Wills are beautiful. The dresses are colorful and glorious, and the hats are spectacular - huge and outlandish and absolutely grand.
Charles Winninger in Belle of the Yukon © Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
The musical scoring by Arthur Lange and the music and original song, Sleighride in July, by Jimmy Van Heusen and Johnny Burke, were Oscar-nominated. Shore and Marshall also offer up a nice rendition of "Someone in Love."
Pop the popcorn, settle the family in front of the TV, and put Belle of the Yukon into the DVD player. You'll find it a mindless, pleasant way to pass an hour and a half.
Special Features:
Director: William A. Seiter
Writers: (screenplay) James Edward Grant; (story) Houston Branch
Cast Members: Randolph Scott; Gypsy Rose Lee, Dinah Shore, Bob Burns
Rating: Unrated - Suitable for the whole family
Classic Movie Guide Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Run Time: 84 minutes
Studio: MGM from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
DVD Release Date: 12/06/05
Color (DVD package erroneously says Black & White)
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