In spite of some trims and two major song substitutions, this largely faithful-to-a-fault lensing of the hit Irving Berlin/Ethel Merman musical remains a priceless snapshot of 1950s Broadway from Fox’s top stage embalming director Walter Lang. (Lang doesn't buy into the Fred Astaire dictum that most musical numbers that can work on stage for 7 minutes should last no more than 4 on screen.) Still, it’s tuneful, harmless fun, if not the complete charmer it was in the theater. Who knew that George Sanders had such a rich bass-baritone singing voice or that the Merm, when finally seen in a normal evening gown, was so trim and petite(!) below that big head and barrel-chest bust? In spectacular voice as the Washington ‘Hostess with the Mostess’ who becomes Madam Ambassador and falls for George Sanders’ Prime Minister, as she pulls off a sort of Mutt & Jeff act with co-star Donald O’Connor. He looks adorably goofy in a pair of over-sized eye-glasses and obviously revels in this, one of his few class outings. Especially when performing Berlin's 'What Chance Have I With Love?', a dandy comedy/dance solo interpolated from LOUISIANA PURCHASE. But oh!, those Fox sets, color schemes and art design. Were they all wearing tinted glasses?
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