BBB
(out of 5)
In nineteenth century Paris the lewd dance of the Can-Can is forbidden, but Shirley MacLaine has been performing it in her Montmartre nightclub, where she and the other girls keep police officers from ratting on them while kicking up their skirts for their customers’ pleasure. When a young, moralistic judge (Louis Jourdan) comes along with the idea to close the club down for the public good, MacLaine must use her wiles to change his mind, much to the chagrin of her devoted boyfriend (Frank Sinatra). Maurice Chevalier also stars in this average musical that features great songs and dances but a mildly interesting plot that runs too long. The main highlight is the centerpiece “Adam and Eve” ballet, which shows off MacLaine’s incredible talent as a dancer.
Twentieth Century Fox, Suffolk-Cummings Productions
USA, 1960
Directed by Walter Lang
Screenplay by Dorothy Kingsley, Charles Lederer, based on the musical comedy by Abe Burrows
Cinematography by William H. Daniels
Produced by Jack Cummings
Music by Nelson Riddle
Production Design by Jack Martin Smith, Lyle R. Wheeler
Costume Design by Irene Sharaff
Film Editing by Robert L. Simpson
