Picking up where the wildly popular documentary That's Entertainment! Left off, this sequel follows the same format. With old timers introducing film clips and telling stories, audiences who miss the silver screen are delighted to see their old favorites. Directed by Gene Kelly and hosted by Gene and Fred Astaire, this is a real treasure to watch. The two legendary dancers were feeling their ages, but Fred didn't want the audience to think they were too old, so he insisted on dancing with his cohost. It was a great idea, and we were treated to only a twice-in-a-lifetime combination of talent. (To see the first time they danced together, check out Ziegfeld Follies.)
Keep in mind that these That's Entertainment! Documentaries only honor MGM movies. You won't see Fred's RKO work or anything from Warner, Fox, or other studios. Since pretty much all the musicals were covered in the first one, this second part has to use other film clips to fill the time - cue the drama! You'll see Greta Garbo, Katharine Hepburn, Robert Taylor, and others on the screen. The only ones who speak directly to the camera in 1976 are Fred and Gene, in contrast to the multitude of stars featured the previous year. But watching vintage clips is always, well, entertaining, and if you're in the mood for a gigantic montage or are just getting your feet wet with old movies and don't know which ones to rent, this is a great movie to pop in on a rainy afternoon. Yes, the two hosts are a lot older than you remember them, but they're still around and able to dance and entertain you!
Review of That's Entertainment, Part II
