kmfriello

Honestly, I didn't care about the plot. I was entertained enough by the sets, choreography, and costumes as pastiches or homage to movies, graphics, and stage productions of the 20s and 30s. I need to get a copy of this, so I can isolate things that struck me the first time. I can't find an image of one of my favorite sets, influenced by Bakst-- a lavish interior with a mezzanine or upper floor and two of the lesser characters singing at each other. The train set, the plane, the playing cards in diamonds, the Erte-like costumes, all tickled me.

A few musicals from TCM's list are available (free) on My Retro Flix (and are listed here: http://www.myretroflix.com/23movies/PlaylistGenerator_musicals.asp). Commercials are included, but the films are not cut, so far as I've noticed. [ETA: I saw commercials when watching via Roku a while ago, but see no commercials when watching on my computer.]

I don't know if it's been mentioned below, but there's a documentary on the costume designer Orry-Kelly, "Women He's Undressed" (available last I checked on Netflix) that discusses this dress he designed and more--for Auntie Mame, among other films.