therealfuster Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 flop, when it came out? For me, it might be Gene Kelly's "Invitation to the Dance". Regardless of what others find to criticize in it, I enjoy it immensely every time I see it. Luckily this is one TCM shows occasionally, and hopefully many have enjoyed it there. Being a bit of a pastiche, of various dancing styles, it is constantly entertaining, and has bits by the talented Carol Haney, and even has Tommy Rall, who was so good in "Kiss Me Kate". With artistic assistance from Cedric Gibbons, it is deliciously sophisticated and to me this is a film that Arthur Freed should be proud of, even if it did not do so well at the box office. Oh, and besides all that...it has Belita! So...what is your favorite flop or flops? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayresorchids Posted April 21, 2005 Share Posted April 21, 2005 The Sky's the Limit (1943) starring Fred Astaire and Joan Leslie. One of the few wartime films that does its flag-waving in a quiet way, and it's very effective. Has great songs and dances, plus the hilarious Robert Benchley doing his "Treasurer's Report" routine. I love the chemistry between the two leads; their scenes together are very real. This is the film in which Astaire introduced the song "One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealfuster Posted April 21, 2005 Author Share Posted April 21, 2005 I had not known that was a flop when it came out. Obviously it is not one of the most well known Fred films, but I can see that musical number in my head, and remember being quite taken with it, as Fred makes the song his and a certifiable classic. Excellent choice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ayresorchids Posted April 22, 2005 Share Posted April 22, 2005 As I recall, therealfuster, wasn't It's a Wonderful Life also a flop when it was first released? And I seem to recall that The Wizard of Oz, while not exactly a failure, did not do as well as had been hoped in '39. Just goes to show what annual (or in IAWL's case, numerous annual) television showings can do for a film! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted April 22, 2005 Share Posted April 22, 2005 Bringing Up Baby, most definitely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealfuster Posted April 22, 2005 Author Share Posted April 22, 2005 kind of a flop. Coming out in those depressing post war years, and with the usual jolly Stewart being definitely morose, probably did cause this effect of less box office. I do think it is one of his finest roles. He is so shocking to see, in the part where he abuses the kids in the parlor, throws things around, and is very un-Jimmy Stewartish. Great movie and I watch it every Christmas, even if I am a curmudgeon. I like the part where the lady says "I was saving this money for a divorce...iffen I ever got me a husband." Great choice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kak122760 Posted April 27, 2005 Share Posted April 27, 2005 Mine would be Bringing Up Baby also. I first saw it when I was 13 or 14, and laughed myself silly. I was very surprised to later find out it was a box office flop when released. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchellleisen Posted April 27, 2005 Share Posted April 27, 2005 I've also heard that said about It's A Wonderful Life but recently came across an opinion from Peter Bogdanovich that its poor reception had little to do with audience appreciation and everything to do with its distribution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhryun Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 Mine would be Bringing Up Baby also. It's hard to believe that people didn't appreciate its zaniness when it first came out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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