That's Entertainment 3

Rating:
Summary: A little something for everyone
Review: Hey -- don't look at me that way! They were showing it on TV, and how could I resist? Like the previous installments in this series, this scrapbook documentary patches together some of the most dazzling and outlandish dance numbers from the golden age of MGM musicals, using hackneyed narrations by old-time studio stars such as Gene Kelly, Lena Horne and Esther Williams. The numbers whiz by like lightning, deftly navigating the shoals of countless half-forgotten tossoffs and classic A-list films. Naturally, some bits will appeal more to some viewers than others... my attention began to wander when the Esther Williams and Gene Kelly sequences went on too long: her movies were too bland to merit the extra attention; his were too good to merely nibble at in a forum like this. But the clips from lesser-known films are pure gems, and since many of these films are still out of print (or better left unrented), having the best material lifted out of them is a real treat. I did feel gypped, though by the meagre sampling of Carmen Miranda's work... she had some really distinctive routines, and it would be nice to see more of her! A fluffily produced featurette, yet evocative of a golden era.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable Mix of Classic Moments & Rare Footage
Review: Opening with a Gene Kelly-introduced segment concerning early efforts to develop musical stars and material, this third installment of the THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT quickly seques into celebrity-introduced film clips from MGM musicals--film clips that range from familiar favorites to out-takes, rareities, and numbers that were cut from films before their release. The narrators are well scripted, well filmed, and often interject insightful personal notes by introducing clips from their own movies.

Such is the case with the legendary Lena Horne, who presents a casually-spoken but quite powerful narrative about the Hollywood racism that limited her career and ultimately prevented her from playing Julie in SHOWBOAT. But the real power of THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT III is in it's "never-before-seen" footage--footage that includes memorable performances by Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, and Lena Horne among others. The film also offers the chance to see some truly rare bits of film, including Vaudeville acts hoping for film stardom, scenes from the early Technicolor and never-completed film MARCH OF TIME, and pre-code bathing-beauties. THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT III doesn't have quite the same dash and splash or variety as the original THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT, but it moves at a smart pace, and fans of movie musicals will find a great deal to enjoy. Recommended.

Rating:
Summary: The world is a stage, the stage is the world of entertainmen
Review: THis is when Hollywood was at it's best and we were blessed with the MGM Musicals and no one did them better.I have all 3 "That's Entertainment" on Lazer Disc and it is pretty wonderful, but TE 3 is not only more of the same wonderful singing and dancing but also takes you behind the scenes to show you how some of the MGM magic was done. I also ran this film at my theatre in Florida and it was longer than this version. It seems for some reason they have edited out the Cinerama segments and i don't know why.I so much wish that MGM would release these onto DVD in 5.1. One of the neat things about this TE 3 is how the sound keeps switching from center speaker to all five. The sound is rich and thrilling. If you buy this video it will be like a wonderful history lesson of the movie musicals.They simply don't make them like this anymore for several reasons. The first and most important is that there isn't anymore great talent left in Hollywood anymore. Second, we don't have really good directors. Third, there is no creative power anymore and forth is the cost. So just sit back, relax and take a walk down memory lane and enjoy the best of what MGM had to offer. Now "That's Enterainment."