Adorable coqueta

MGM's musicals are meant to be enjoyed and this one sure is. Simple plot of daughter of captain (JANE POWELL and GEORGE BRENT) stows away on his liner. Typical funny business and misunderstandings pursue and it all comes out just fine in the end. But of course!! Remember, LUXURY LINER is an MGM entertainment, not message film. JANE POWELL excel is her performance and the beautfiful FRANCES GIFFORD (whom I never head of) is one great leading lady. Wish she had made more films. Good music helps this unbelievable story line just fine. There seems to have been some footage left on the cutting room floor as a couple of scenes don't make sense, and where does JANE get all that wardrobe when she stows away with a shirt and pair of jeans?? Oh well, again, remember, it's an MGM musical. Doesn't have to make sense, just entertain, which it certainly does. A must see for fans of this ilk.

This movie is pap, but it's pleasant enough pap and offers some wonderful musical moments. The plot is a sit-com all about a girl (Jane Powell) who stows away on the luxury ocean liner her daddy (George Brent, in his second outing in a film with this title!) just happens to captain. Havoc ensues, of course -- the details are beside the point. The real point is that Xavier Cugat is on board with his orchestra -- and lots of surprise musical guests. Audiences in the 40s knew quite well what to expect from this sort of thing -- The Xavier Cugat/Jose Iturbi Musical -- lots of "Latin-style" fun, eye-dazzling Technicolor, and tunes galore. This one is no worse than any of them, and for a few reasons may actually be a bit better. Here's the really great thing about this pic: One of the musical "surprises" on the ship turns out to be operatic tenor Lauritz Melchior! Melchior's voice was one of the finest of his era, and his Wagnerian outing here ("Winter Storms," from Die Walküre) gives a hint of just what a pleasure he was in his prime. His performs duets with Powell from the Viennese repertoire, but she's no match for his power and finesse. Also, Marina Koshetz sings a FAAAAAABulous rendition of Cole Porter's "I've Got You Under My Skin."

All in all, worth the time it takes to watch.

On a windy, cold March afternoon I loved hearing Lauritz Melchoir, one of the great tenors, a formidable fore-runner to today's tenors. He was able to relate, even in film, his great joy in life and music - a skill that would well serve many of today's artists.

Ms. Powell is as refreshing in this role as the day she performed it. Todays youth can learn from the standards of that era. Her natural talent has always been remarkable both as a singer and actress in later years.

This motion picture joins many of the delightful films of both Ms. Powell and Mr.Melchoir as a part of a heritage and history in the industry we must cherish.

It is good to be reminded in these difficult days in our world that we can still find joy in the moment and seize these pleasant opportunities to reflect on happier times.

"Luxury Liner" is a film that surprised me. Although it is chock full of opera singing, I still loved it! Surprise, surprise, surprise!

When the story begins, a cruise ship captain (George Brent) is about to go out to sea once again. His VERY precocious daughter (Jane Powell) stows away and spends much of her time telling various ridiculous lies, trying to set up a woman with a future husband as well as trying to get a world famous opera singer (Lauritz Melchior) to listen to her sing. While this might sound pretty annoying, Powell is marvelous as this character....very likable in spite of being a busy-body! The reason is that the film is very charming and well written...and comes off much like an episode of "The Love Boat"...but with opera music! Well worth seeing and very cute.

"Luxery Liner" was a showcase for young Jane Powell who had scored a box-office smash in her MGM debut film "Holiday in Mexico." It was pure Technicolor musical entertainment geared for the mass audience in the 1940's. "Pap" is a crude word and a choice for those trying to dismiss something they don't understand or want to enjoy. "Luxery Liner" wasn't meant to be Gone With the Wind, just the kind of entertainment audiences enjoyed. Jane Powell is charming and (at that young age) a very gifted singer. (Anyone remember another box-office bundle-of-talent named Deanna Durbin who Louis B. Mayer let slip through his fingers?). Like Miss Durbin, Jane Powell could handle a variety of selections (ballads, operettas, rhythm tunes). In "Luxery Liner" her rendition of "The Peanut Vendor", accompanied by Xavier Cugat's orchestra, is something to hear as she literally "glows with talent." Lauriz Melichor (who she refers to has "my Sinatra"), was discovered by movie audiences in "Thrill of a Romance" (more pap?) couldn't resist her either. At the film's conclusion he pick's her up, like a delicate flower, and glows as they sing and waltz till the end title appears. Some may consider "Luxery Liner" "pap" but, enjoyed for what it is, it's lovely pap. For the record both "Thrill of a Romance" and "Holiday in Mexico" are on Variety's list of all-time box-office rentals. All they did was make a pile of money for MGM and big stars of Esther Williams, Van Johnson and Jane Powell.