There's No Business Like Show Business
US (1954): Musical/Dance
This 1954 dinosaur brings together two giants of Broadway, Ethel Merman and Irving Berlin, just as their moment was passing forever, to create one last hurrah: a celebration of the glories that were vaudeville. Still, it's hard to imagine that Broadway -- or nightclub entertaining, for that matter -- was ever quite this lavish and satisfying. The story centers on a married couple, the Donahues (Dan Dailey and Merman), who live on the road as vaudeville entertainers, and since they have children, begin incorporating the kids into the act. Eventually, the kids grow up to be Donald O'Connor, Mitzi Gaynor, and Johnny Ray, and they begin having interests of their own. Donald's is an ambitious showgirl (Marilyn Monroe), whose standoffish response to his romantic overtures drives him to drink. Best for its lavish, splashy production numbers built around some of the best of the Berlin songbook, including the title tune and "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody." Walter Lang directs for Fox. Cast also features Richard Eastham, Hugh O'Brian, Frank McHugh, Rhys Williams and Lee Patrick. (Marshall Fine, Amazon.com)
3 nominations
· Writing (Motion Picture Story) 1954: Lamar Trotti
· Costume Design (Color) 1954: Charles LeMaire, Travilla, Miles White
· Music Scoring Awards (Scoring of a Musical Picture) 1954: Alfred Newman, Lionel Newman