Is a plot really necessary when a film has lavish musical numbers, gorgeous costumes, two beautiful leading ladies and a debonair leading man? Maybe not, but the plot makes the film even better, as is the case in That Night in Rio. Released in 1941, the film has been digitally restored, so the Technicolor is vivid and fresh and the leads - Alice Faye and  Don Ameche - are terrific.

Larry Martin (Don Ameche) is an entertainer whose specialty is an on-stage impersonation of Baron Manuel Duarte (also Ameche). When Duarte's business dealings go south, the Baron also goes south to escape his creditors, leaving his associates with a big problem on their hands. They enlist Martin to impersonate the Baron.

Alice Faye & Don Ameche

Naturally, there are complications. In an amusing scene, the faux Baron unknowingly buys stock. At a formal ball, he is attentive to the lovely Baroness Cecilia (Alice Faye), making his real girlfriend, the fiery Carmen Miranda, jealous and causing the Baroness to realize what her marriage has been lacking.

 Needless to say, all the complications are ironed out by the end, but not before the film is spiced up with several entertaining musical production numbers - this is above all, a musical.

Alice Faye

Character actors S. Z. Sakall, J. Carrol Naish, Curt Bois and Leonid Kinskey provide plenty of comic relief as backup to the three stars. Miranda, famous for the outlandish headpieces she wore, sings and swivels her hips to catchy tunes. Ameche is handsome and croons as well as any musical comedy star, and Alice Faye lights up the screen. Her costumes, designed by Travis Banton, are eye boggling. Any of today's red carpet strollers would be happy to wear one of her gowns, especially the golden frock she wears to the ball!

The film is eye candy, suitable for all audiences, and provides a pleasant hour and a half of escape.

Director: Irving Cummings

Writers: Screenplay - George Seaton, Bess Meredyth and Hal Long; Play - Rudolph Lothar and Hans Adler; Lyrics and music - Mack Gordon and Harry Warren

Cast: Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Carmen Miranda

Rating: Not Rated

Classic Movie Guide Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Original Release Date: 1941

Run Time: 91 minutes

Studio: 20th Century Fox

Format: Color, Full Frame

Photo Credits: 20^th Century Fox