Serenata a vallechiara

If you're looking for a good Sonja Henie movie, this is the one to see--and hear. It's got Glenn Miller in full swing with some of his big toe-tapping favorites--including 'Chattanooga Choo Choo' danced by Dorothy Dandridge and the Nicholas Brothers, 'I Know Why' and 'In the Mood'. Sonja's skating routines seem tame compared to what's expected of today's skating competitors but she's graceful as ever on ice and not too bad in the acting scenes. Her comic timing had vastly improved by the time she did this one. Her scenes with John Payne where she deliberately has them stranded for an overnight stay in a cabin (due to her fake skiing accident)are good for laughs. Payne actually pulls off a couple of slapstick stunts while attempting to sleep across two chairs--definitely one of his best romantic comedy roles. With all of the skating, skiing and great Miller music, this one can't miss. Once you see it, you'll understand why it was such a huge hit in the early '40s. Glenn Miller fans will be grateful for all the screen time he is given. Lynn Bari plays it straight as the jealous woman trying to keep Sonja away from Payne and her singing is obviously dubbed--but her song, 'I Know Why', is given a great treatment with the Miller band. Enjoyable entertainment is probably Sonja's best film. Fans of the skating star may be interested in the career article I've written due for publication soon in FILMS OF THE GOLDEN AGE.