Let's Be Happy (1957)

Thanks for the memories!

Such a frustrating disappointment

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

I really must come to the defence of "Let's Be Happy"; a near-forgotten little gem.My family and I enjoyed this film twice,on it's initial release,so I'll admit to a certain amount of nostalgia in my review.This was the last time Vera-Ellen appeared on screen;a pity,given her talent and charm.It's not difficult to share her enthusiasm as she travels to Scotland to enjoy her inheritance and while the plot may be considered tame by the many detractors,there is a naive appeal about the way it all unfolds.Robert Flemyng essays a certain Gaelic charm as he escorts the heroine on a guided tour of Scotland (nice location shots too).This was also the last time Tony Martin appeared on screen in a musical.The songs are pleasant and he is in good voice,particularly singing 'One Is A Lonely Number";a lovely,haunting ballad.Three other musicals released in N.Z. in 1957;"Silk Stockings", ''Funny Face" and "Les Girls",may now enjoy a 'cult' following,but,strange as it may seem, they all irritate me in ways that "Let's Be Happy" does not.I'm looking forward to replacing my poor quality video copy with the wide-screen DVD.

An independent feature made at the very, very end of the movie musical's golden age, and the desperation shows. Vera-Ellen, looking unhealthily slim and not dancing much, is a Vermont lass who inherits enough money to fly to Edinburgh, where she keeps running into Tony Martin and is wooed by impoverished lord Robert Flemyng. Martin, looking beefy and well past his leading-man prime, sings everywhere--at airport customs, in a Scottish dining car, at Vera's Vermont bungalow--and the songs, by Nicholas Brodzky and Paul Francis Webster, are neatly integrated enough but not what you'd call exciting. Nor is Henry Levin's direction, and even the Edinburgh location shooting looks rather skimpy. Wan storytelling, no-name supporting cast, so-so songs… No wonder it didn't do well.

After inheriting some money, small Vermont town dancer Vera-Ellen (as Jeannie MacLean) decides to visit Scotland. On the plane, she meets singing Idaho businessman Tony Martin (as Stanley Smith). Romance begins, but things get complicated when she meets dashing Robert Flemyng (as James "Jimmy" MacNairn), a broke English Lord looking for a rich American wife. Meanwhile, Mr. Martin has caught the eye of sexy red-haired Zena Marshall (as Helene). The film's tagline "Tony Rocks 'Em!! Vera Rolls 'Em!!" points to how the two early 1950s stars were being falsely promoted to a new audience, who were not going to find any "Rock 'n' Roll" here. "Let's Be Happy" features nice color and setting.**** Let's Be Happy (5/8/57) Henry Levin ~ Vera-Ellen, Tony Martin, Robert Flemyng, Zena Marshall

Weak musical despite the stars Tony Martin and the tragic Vera-Ellen. The latter comes off as a real greenhorn in the opening scenes. She is Molly Brown without the Debbie Reynolds talent.They should have made more of the Lord, who, actually broke and thinks that Ellen has a fortune. The fortune consisting of $4952.00.As for Martin, he is give little insofar as the material and the songs he sings are really for the canaries. He has a wonderful voice so he should have been given the songs that match his voice range.Who was the redhead who was infatuated with Martin? She reminded me, without the accent, of Maureen Arthur of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."As for "Let's Be Happy," it's totally benign