Gorgeous Technicolor bio of Texas Guinan is a lot of hooey but offers Betty Hutton a great role, and she's spectacular... one of her very best performances.
The films shows the rise of Guinan, a famous silent film and Broadway star of the teens and 20s, from her rise in a wild west show, through her various careers and through her failed romances. Guinan was famous for her greeting of "Hello, suckers!" and was a major "personality" of her time. Guinan's best-remembered film is Broadway THROUGH A KEYHOLE.
Hutton captures the quirky Guinan perfectly and gets to sing and dance, ride a horse, act in silent films, emote, and look absolutely fabulous. Hutton also gets to wear some spectacular gowns. The sets and costumes are excellent throughout.
Arturo de Cordova co-stars as the love interest. Also Charlie Ruggles, Barry Fitzgerald, Mary Philips, Eduardo Ciannelli, Maurice Rocco (ecellent) as the waiter/pianist, Bill Goodwin as the husband, Bess Flowers, Albert Dekker, Frank Faylen, Jane Jones, etc.
But Hutton is front and center here and you can't take your eyes off her. This film ranks with TH PERILS OF PAULINE, THE MIRACLE OF MORGAN'S CREEK,and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN as among the best Betty Hutton films.
The films shows the rise of Guinan, a famous silent film and Broadway star of the teens and 20s, from her rise in a wild west show, through her various careers and through her failed romances. Guinan was famous for her greeting of "Hello, suckers!" and was a major "personality" of her time. Guinan's best-remembered film is Broadway THROUGH A KEYHOLE.
Hutton captures the quirky Guinan perfectly and gets to sing and dance, ride a horse, act in silent films, emote, and look absolutely fabulous. Hutton also gets to wear some spectacular gowns. The sets and costumes are excellent throughout.
Arturo de Cordova co-stars as the love interest. Also Charlie Ruggles, Barry Fitzgerald, Mary Philips, Eduardo Ciannelli, Maurice Rocco (ecellent) as the waiter/pianist, Bill Goodwin as the husband, Bess Flowers, Albert Dekker, Frank Faylen, Jane Jones, etc.
But Hutton is front and center here and you can't take your eyes off her. This film ranks with TH PERILS OF PAULINE, THE MIRACLE OF MORGAN'S CREEK,and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN as among the best Betty Hutton films.