The Film Collection

THE FILMS

On the TownRoyal WeddingSingin’ in the RainSeven Brides for Seven BrothersIt’s Always Fair WeatherFunny Face

Singin’ in the Rain. Meet Me in St. Louis

ON THE TOWN

“Getting involved is so… so… involving.”

— Ivy Smith

According to information contained in the file on the film in the MPAA/PCA Collection at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Library, the Breen Office refused to allow the use of the word “helluva” in the song “New York, New York, it’s a helluva town.” MGM later changed the word to “wonderful.”

Wedding Bells

ROYAL WEDDING

“This is a pretty box of pickles!”

— Irving Klinger

Fred Astaire and Jane Powell sing “How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Love You When You Know I’ve Been a Liar All My Life,” the longest song title in a Hollywood film.

SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN

“You have to show a movie at a party. It’s a Hollywood law.”

— Cosmo Brown

Cyd Charisse had to be taught how to smoke for her vampy dance sequence.

In Gene Kelly’s ‘Singing in the Rain’ sequence, the taps he makes do not match up with the actual movements of his feet, they are much more complicated than the steps he makes. Since he could not tap dance in wet loafers, Kelly had to do the dance in the studio, and the taps were added into the picture later on.

Flesh

and the Devil

SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS

Brigadoon

Seven Brides for Seven

Brothers

“Can’t make no vows to a herd of cows.”

— Caleb Pontipee

For the brides’ costumes, designer Walter Plunkett went to the Salvation Army, found old quilts and turned them into dresses.

IT’S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER

It’s Always Fair Weather

“There must be a more dignified way to sell Klenzrite… like you, taking a bath in it, naked in Macy’s window.”

— Doug Hallerton

The picture was a financial disappointment. Some film historians cite this failure as prime evidence that the original Hollywood musical had begun to lose its box office clout around 1955.

FUNNY FACE

“Duval, please! I can’t hear myself think, and I’m trying to think in French!”

— Maggie Prescott

The soggy weather played havoc with the shooting of the wedding dress dance scene. Both Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn were continually slipping in the muddy and slippery grass.