Thousands Cheer [VHS] [NTSC] [1943]

MGM redefines the big-screen musical extravaganza in this 1943 roll-out of MGM stars... Gene Kelly and Katheryn Grayson, Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland, Red Skelton and Margaret O'Brien, plus Lucille Ball, Donna Reed, Ann Southern, Lena Horne, Frank (Oz) Morgan, Mary Astor, June Allyson, and John Boles and Ish Kabibble with Kay Kyser's big band. (At the time bigger than Benny Goodman, Glen Miller, Or Tommy Dorsey.)

Filled with great period jive and swing numbers, Thousands Cheer capsules everything dear to a 40's teenager. On the brink of World War II this movie was a morale-lifter for our boys. The finale used the largest sound-stage in MGM history. Call it a 'don't miss,' call it a 'must-have,' and give it thumbs up and five stars.

There are so many stars in this movie and is one of the greatest collaberation of stars ever assembled in one movie and at the end of the movie there is a special treat and is a must have! The stars that do what they do best include: Gene Kelly, Kathryn Grayson, Mary Astor, Judy Garland, Red Skelton, Eleanor Powell, Ann Sothern, Lena Horne, Margaret O' Brian, Marilyn Maxwell, Marsha Hunt, June Allyson, Gloria De Haven, Frank Morgan, Virginia O'Brien, Lucille Ball, Donna Reed, and Mickey Rooney. Can I say more? Simply the greatest stars assembled in one movie!

MGM turns out a middling production with Thousands Cheer. This film has the weakest plot I've seen in years. In fact, the plot is so thin that it becomes difficult for me to write anything cogent about it. Gene Kelly plays Eddie Marsh, an army private during WW2 who falls in love with a Colonel's daughter named Kathryn, played very ably by Kathryn Grayson. Mary Astor plays Kathryn's mother; and John Boles plays Colonel Bill Jones, Kathryn's father; but Kathryn's parents have long since separated. Gene Kelly and Kathryn Grayson get a chance to show off their acting skills but all this still remains mostly wasted on this flimsy plot. Just as Eddie and Kathryn have barriers to their relationship caused by the war, Kathryn's parents also have boundaries and problems in their own relationship because of Bill's devotion to the armed forces. Questions pop out at you: What becomes of Kathryn's parents--will they reunite after years of living separate lives? Will Gene Kelly and Kathryn Grayson's characters stay in love despite bumpy times on the base? You'll have to watch to find out; I hate putting spoilers in my reviews. SMILE

You may ask: If Matt doesn't say much good about this movie, then why does he give it four stars? The answer is easy: you get a good show out of Thousands Cheer with song and dance numbers that save the film from ruination. For example, the dance scene with Gene Kelly using a rag mop for his partner proves that even when his career was just starting he was a very polished, naturally talented dancer with extraordinary abilities. The circus scene in the first half of the picture offers great acrobatics and the choreography of the circus scenes astounds me. Finally, the last half of the movie offers several remarkably wonderful performances by some of the greatest of the MGM greats. Eleanor Powell still tap dances with the very best of them; Judy Garland sings "The Joint Is Really Jumpin' Down At Carnegie Hall" as beautifully as ever with José Iturbi at the piano; and Lena Horne's elegant performance of "Honeysuckle Rose" will charm even the hardest of hearts.

In addition, look for some fairly enjoyable comedy sketches with Frank Morgan, the actor who played The Wizard Of Oz five years earlier, Ann Southern, Lucille Ball, Margaret O'Brien, Red Skelton and Virginia O'Brien. Kay Kyser also turns in a great performance with his band.

The color is fairly good for VHS but it isn't the same quality you might get on a DVD; however the cinematography reflects forethought that works especially well in the last half of the movie when most of the musical numbers take place.

If you want a movie with a deep and meaningful plot, you will need to keep looking. However, fans of the MGM musical will enjoy this movie; and these fans will enjoy the movie even more if they skip the first hour and simply fast forward to get to the part where "the show" begins. Thousands Cheer also deserves "honorable mention" as a look at how young people felt when they found themselves in unexpected situations that came about as a result of WW2.