The Dolly Sisters (1945)

Simply A Masterpiece

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

There may be better film musicals out there than 'The Dolly Sisters', but it succeeds very well as colourful fun with enough to put a smile on one's face and clearly knows what it's trying to be and what to do with it.A huge part of wanting to see 'The Dolly Sisters' was the cast. With the likes of Betty Grable, June Haver, SZ Sakall, Reginald Gardiner, John Payne, there are some talented people here. Also, foibles and all, there is an immense soft spot had for the "Golden Age Hollywood" musicals, a soft spot that has been lifelong held. A fair few of them are flawed in the story department but many are compensated by the music, production values, atmosphere and performances.While 'The Dolly Sisters' has more merits than it has flaws, the story (if we are to forget that biographically it's very much fictionalised) is as flimsy and predictable as they come and some of the latter parts meander, such as a finale that could have had more oomph. Frank Latimore fails to pass the "remotely amusing" test and further fails to inject much charm or enthusiasm.Lastly the black face routine is in pretty embarrassing taste now, with a lot of unsubtle and unfunny black stereotypes that feel out of date and not for the easily offended, with very gaudy make-up.However, the merits that 'The Dolly Sisters' has are numerous. It looks lovely, with only the costumes and make-up in the black face sequence showing signs of cheapness, elsewhere the film is handsomely mounted and photographed beautifully and with such great use of colour. The songs are tuneful and a very pleasant listen, especially "I Can't Begin to Tell You" (Oscar-nominated and not hard to see why) and "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows". They are mostly staged with the right amount of entertainment and intimacy.Scripting is suitably zesty, and Irving Cummings directs with much assurance. The story is not perfect but has such a cheery charm, a huge abundance of fun and heart that it is difficult to be too hard on it. Betty Grable and June Haver were tailor-made for their roles, and are endearing joys to watch. John Payne sings beautifully and looks more comfortable than in some of his other films, while SZ Sakall is so cuddly and funny and Reginald Gardiner is amusing.All in all, colourful and cheery fun. 7/10 Bethany Cox

The real Dolly Sisters were dark, in both complexion and hair, Hungarian dancers with complex personalities and troubled lives, in fact Jenny had committed suicide several years before the debut of this musical, so if you are looking for anything resembling a depiction of the actual Dolly Sisters story look elsewhere. However if a sumptuous overstuffed showcase for blonds Betty Grable and June Haver is what you seek this is for you. Filmed in almost blinding Technicolor with some good songs and one great and beautiful one, I'm Always Chasing Rainbows, eye popping costumes and hairstyles this is old fashioned entertainment dished up with style.

Two sisters and their grandfather come to America from their homeland of Austria and by way of entertaining the diners at a little restaurant, the sisters ultimately become stars on the stage, based on a true story of the real Dolly Sisters who lived in the early part of the 20th century. Here they are played by Betty Grable and June Haver. A love interest for Grable is supplied in the form of John Payne, who helps a lot with his humble disposition, despite the fact his character is quite boastful at the beginning of the film, and the grandfather is portrayed by S.Z. Sakall. Supporting players also include Reginald Gardiner and Sig Ruman.Their story is given grade-A treatment with a budget big enough for clothes galore and the numbers on stage are extravagantly shown. The songs throughout the film are good, but they are mainly the old ones they sang in the time they lived.If I had any problems with it, it tends to lose one's interest about a hour into it, with not much real humor (or punch) or any real heart to it. While it may have some sincere performances, it tends to meander, losing its focus from the beginning. It may be trying to be true to certain facts, but ultimately it becomes somewhat uneven.A more positive thing to say is that it did have a nice closing line and it makes you feel some closure for Grable and Payne. But, in real life, the fate of the Dolly Sisters is too sad to really get into here. At the time of this movie's production and release, one Dolly sister had already died.So, all in all, you may be pleased from its opulent treatment and the company of good-looking people like Grable, Haver, and Payne, but it's basically a Hollywood bio-pic made in the 40s, and truly not one of the best.

The real-life Dolly sisters were brunettes but that didn't stop Fox from pairing Bette Grable and June Haver as the famous duo, in addition to fictionalizing their rise to fame in vaudeville and the legit circuit. Nevertheless, this is a typical 1940s charmer of a musical, with the talented John Payne for added appeal and good performances by S. Z. Sakall and Reginald Gardiner. Grable and Haver are seen in a good number of singing and dancing routines and there is even one new song ("I Can't Begin To Tell You") supposedly penned by John Payne. It's all very likeable technicolored entertainment in lavish style. Betty's role is a little more dramatic than usual and she does a good piece of emoting in the final scenes. If you're a Grable fan, you can't afford to miss this one! And she was never better than when she was teamed opposite John Payne--good chemistry and believable sparks.