Living in a Big Way Reviews

It wasn't a musical, it wasn't a comedy, it wasn't much of anything except an example of Kelly's ability to take a sow's ear and make half a silk purse out of it. Here he was saddled with a costar who was known as "The Body"; presumably because she didn't have any talent. La Cava had a story but not much more than that when the studio decided to make the movie, so Ravetch was writing as the film was being lensed, and there are many improvised moments in the picture. Kelly is an Army lieutenant who marries McDonald after a whirlwind courtship. He is sent overseas within hours of the wedding. Dissolve through the three years of service and Kelly returns to find that McDonald wants a divorce. She believes they married too quickly and that wartime romances are never successful. Kelly doesn't want to give her a divorce and is backed up her parents, Byington and Winninger, who like Kelly and think he makes a fine son-in-law. They let him stay at a house they own where returning servicemen are allowed to take refuge until they get on their feet. Now we learn that Winninger made all his money by a bit of war profiteering and his doting attitude toward McDonald has caused her to become a spoiled brat. Winninger would like Kelly to straighten out her pampered head, as would Adair, McDonald's crusty grandmother, who is solidly behind Kelly's plan to build apartments for war veterans. The love between Kelly and McDonald goes up and down for a few reels and they eventually agree on a divorce, though neither will admit that they love each other. The judge decides not to grant the split and they are both secretly happy about that and will attempt to make it go. Thaxter does well as a war widow who likes Kelly because he reminds her of her late husband. It was after they began this that Kelly (with the help of Donen) added some musical numbers to push the picture. The songs included "It Had to Be You," "Fido and Me," and a few traditionals like "Yankee Doodle," "Ring Around the Rosy," "Loo by Loo," and "In and out the Window." The story of poor boy marrying rich girl has been seen many times and it might have worked better if Kelly had been teamed with just about anyone else in the MGM stable. McDonald's life went the way of her career and she died in 1965 at the young age of 42. This was La Cava's last picture after a stellar career that included such excellent work as STAGE DOOR and MY MAN GODFREY. Kelly and Donen did some wonderful choreography with children, a forerunner of what was to come to pass in four years with AN AMERICAN IN PARIS.