Belle of the Yukon (C- or 1.5/4 stars)
Set in the olden days of the great Canadian Gold Rush, this 1945 Musical/Western/Comedy hybrid, 'Belle of the Yukon' (directed by William A. Seiter), stars Randolph Scott as a Honest John Calhoun, a "reformed" con-man who has fled north of the border from the law of the U.S. & opens a successful dance/gambling hall in the upper regions of Malamute; he even thwarts a bad guy who has designs on turning the dance hall into a crooked joint.
John's former lover, the titular Belle (singer, Gypsy Rose Lee), who he left back in America when he fled the authorities, arrives in Malamute as part of a new show troupe {how convenient} and, upon discovering John, she is immediately impressed with her ex-boyfriend's new ways at this establishment (and hopes to keep him on the straight & narrow). Howwwwever, buxom brunette, Lettie Candless (pretty Dinah Shore) also has an eye on John; wanting him for herself - even if she already has a man (blonde, blue-eyed love interest, William Marshall). Singing, dancing, silly hijinks, & TEPID entertainment ensues.
Part Western (actually, the Yukon), part Musical, part Comedy ... ALL mehhhhh. Simply put, I just didn't care for this movie. That would be okay if the movie actually was a QUALITY production that I just happened to not enjoy -- but no. Its quality is just as disappointing. The story/plot is paper thin; full of hot air & contrivances. Seriously ... next-to-NOTHING happens in the script. No dramatic tension. No fire. It's as if the filmmakers knew they had the glitzy Broadway-styled production numbers up on the saloon stage, but then thought, "hey, now we have to concoct a story ... uh ohhhh". The acting is poor-to-okay (at best). The songs are fine in the moment but, despite the musical score being nominated for an Oscar, you won't remember them by the time the movie ends.
Even the direction felt misguided (boring, confused, plodding). And how about a 'Western' with no gunfire or horseback chases? Randolph Scott - typically, a stellar performer - looks pretty disinterested throughout the film; trying desperately to look like he's having a fine time. As for Gypsy Rose Lee's "acting" chops, the less said the better! Yes, she sings well. Yes, she looks good in her impressive gowns (by Don Loper). But the one-liners she had to deliver fell flat nearly every time. And her acts of seduction don't convince, either. Dinah Shore is adorable and sings like a bird. But she felt miscast/disinterested, too.
And as for the songs: Like Someone in Love, Sleigh Ride in July (warmly sung by Dinah Shore, nominated for an Academy Award), Belle of the Yukon, Every Girl is Different, & I Can't Tell Why I Love You But I Do, Do, Do -- they only fleetingly keep your interest. So yeah, various intangibles prevent me from giving this film a D rating (a joke here, a song there, a bank robbery, beautiful Technicolor photography, GORGEOUS costumes) ... but only barely. 'Belle of the Yukon' may entertain some folks with its lightness, frothiness, & likeability factor. But I'm sad to say that it just didn't do it for me.
John's former lover, the titular Belle (singer, Gypsy Rose Lee), who he left back in America when he fled the authorities, arrives in Malamute as part of a new show troupe {how convenient} and, upon discovering John, she is immediately impressed with her ex-boyfriend's new ways at this establishment (and hopes to keep him on the straight & narrow). Howwwwever, buxom brunette, Lettie Candless (pretty Dinah Shore) also has an eye on John; wanting him for herself - even if she already has a man (blonde, blue-eyed love interest, William Marshall). Singing, dancing, silly hijinks, & TEPID entertainment ensues.
Part Western (actually, the Yukon), part Musical, part Comedy ... ALL mehhhhh. Simply put, I just didn't care for this movie. That would be okay if the movie actually was a QUALITY production that I just happened to not enjoy -- but no. Its quality is just as disappointing. The story/plot is paper thin; full of hot air & contrivances. Seriously ... next-to-NOTHING happens in the script. No dramatic tension. No fire. It's as if the filmmakers knew they had the glitzy Broadway-styled production numbers up on the saloon stage, but then thought, "hey, now we have to concoct a story ... uh ohhhh". The acting is poor-to-okay (at best). The songs are fine in the moment but, despite the musical score being nominated for an Oscar, you won't remember them by the time the movie ends.
Even the direction felt misguided (boring, confused, plodding). And how about a 'Western' with no gunfire or horseback chases? Randolph Scott - typically, a stellar performer - looks pretty disinterested throughout the film; trying desperately to look like he's having a fine time. As for Gypsy Rose Lee's "acting" chops, the less said the better! Yes, she sings well. Yes, she looks good in her impressive gowns (by Don Loper). But the one-liners she had to deliver fell flat nearly every time. And her acts of seduction don't convince, either. Dinah Shore is adorable and sings like a bird. But she felt miscast/disinterested, too.
And as for the songs: Like Someone in Love, Sleigh Ride in July (warmly sung by Dinah Shore, nominated for an Academy Award), Belle of the Yukon, Every Girl is Different, & I Can't Tell Why I Love You But I Do, Do, Do -- they only fleetingly keep your interest. So yeah, various intangibles prevent me from giving this film a D rating (a joke here, a song there, a bank robbery, beautiful Technicolor photography, GORGEOUS costumes) ... but only barely. 'Belle of the Yukon' may entertain some folks with its lightness, frothiness, & likeability factor. But I'm sad to say that it just didn't do it for me.