WALTER LANG

Bil’s rating (out of 5):   BBB

USA, 1960.  Twentieth Century Fox, Suffolk-Cummings Productions.  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.  

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.

Academy Award Nominations:  Best Costume Design-Colour; Best Scoring of a Musical Picture

Golden Globe Award Nomination:  Best Picture-Musical