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Three Little Words (1950), starring Fred Astaire, Red Skelton, Vera-Ellen, Arlene Dahl

Three Little Words - Fred Astaire - Red Skelton - Vera-Ellen - Arlene Dahl - A Wonderful Musical! - color by Technicolor Three Little Words is a musical comedy starring Red Skelton and Fred Astaire. What does Three Little Words have to do with clowning? Quite a bit. Simply put, observe one of the greatest clowns of our time, Red Skelton, doing what he does so well. He creates a funny, lovable character, that can leave you in stitches very easily.

In addition, it’s simply a wonderful movie. I smile remembering it as I type this review. In addition, if you’re a fan of musicals, it’s quite a treat. I can still hear the song How Long, Ooh Long running through my head. Fred Astaire is, simply, Fred Astaire; if you like him, you’ll love the movie. Also, if you’re a fan of musicals, there’s lots of great music, including So Long, Oolong and Nevertheless, I’m in Love with You.

In a nutshell, it’s Hollywood’s musical comedy version of a biography of two songwriters, played by Skelton & Astaire. It’s also funny, touching, and eminently enjoyable. If you like movies, watch it. If you like Fred Astaire, watch it. If you like Red Skelton, watch it twice—once for pure enjoyment, once again to take notes.

I rate it 3 clowns clown clown clown on a 5-clown scale.

Editorial Review of Three Little Words co-starring Fred Astaire, Red Skelton, courtesy of Amazon.com

Three Little Words (1950) was an example of Hollywood’s late-’40s/early-’50s interest in the lives of famous songwriters. Fred Astaire plays vaudeville dancer Bert Kalmar, whose act with Jessie Brown (Vera-Ellen) runs aground due to his interest in magic acts and a backstage accident. While in rehab, he meets composer Harry Ruby (Red Skelton), and the two discover a knack for writing Tin Pan Alley songs, then Broadway shows, together. There’s some mild conflict in their lives as portrayed in film, but mostly the movie is an excuse to pull out a slew of Kalmar & Ruby songs such as “Who’s Sorry Now,” “My Sunny Tennessee,” “Nevertheless,” “I Wanna Be Loved by You,” and the title tune. Vera-Ellen is an excellent partner for Astaire, and the relatively restrained Skelton puts in a good performance. Also appearing are Arlene Dahl as a musical actress, Gloria De Haven as her own mother, a young Debbie Reynolds as Boop-a-Doop girl Helen Kane, and the real Harry Ruby as a baseball player playing catch with Skelton, the movie Harry Ruby. Three Little Words isn’t one of the great MGM musicals of its era, but it’s an entertaining picture, especially for fans of Astaire. --David Horiuchi

Funny movie quotes from Three Little Words

Bert Kalmar (Fred Astaire): I wouldn’t write that song with you if you begged me.
Harry Ruby (Red Skelton): Begged ya? I didn’t even ask ya.
Bert Kalmar (Fred Astaire): I guess you just can’t help it, Harry. I feel sorry for you.
Harry Ruby (Red Skelton): Feel sorry for me? You must think I’m just a…
Bert Kalmar (Fred Astaire): I could tell you what I think of you in just three little words. You’re a dope!

Soundtrack for Three Little Words

Where Did You Get That Girl? - written Harry Puck, Bert Kalmar, sung and danced by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen (dubbed by Anita Ellis)
She’s Mine, All Mine - written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar, sung by Fred Astaire, Red Skelton, Vera-Ellen, Arlene Dahl
Mr. and Mrs. Hoofer at Home, music by André Previn, danced by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen
My Sunny Tennessee, written by Harry Ruby, Herman Ruby, Bert Kalmar, sung by Fred Astaire, Red Skelton
So Long! Oo-Long (How Long You Gonna Be Gone?), written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar, sung by Fred Astaire, Red Skelton
Who’s Sorry Now?, written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar, Ted Snyder, sung by Gloria DeHaven
Test Dance, music by André Previn, danced by Fred Astaire
Come on, Papa, written by Harry Ruby, Edgar Leslie, Bert Kalmar, sung by Vera-Ellen (dubbed by Anita Ellis), danced by Vera-Ellen, chorus
Nevertheless, written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar, sung by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen (dubbed by Anita Ellis), and Red Skelton, danced by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen
All Alone Monday, written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar, sung by Gale Robbins (later by Arlene Dahl)
You Smiled at Me, written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar, sung by Arlene Dahl
I Wanna Be Loved by You, written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar, Herbert Stothart, sung by Debbie Reynolds (dubbed by Helen Kane)
Thinking of You, written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar, sung by Fred Astaire (later by Red Skelton), danced by Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen
I Love You So Much, written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar, sung by Arlene Dahl
Three Little Words, written by Harry Ruby, Bert Kalmar, sung by Fred Astaire (later by Red Skelton)
You are My Lucky Star, by Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed, sung by Phil Regan

Trivia for Three Little Words co-starring Fred Astaire, Red Skelton

Vocals for Debbie Reynolds were dubbed by Helen Kane.
Vocals for Vera-Ellen were dubbed by Anita Ellis.
Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby were friends of Fred Astaire from their early days together in vaudeville. Astaire said the film was one of his all-time favorites.
The real Harry Ruby appears in a bit part as one of the baseball players. He is the one who catches the ball thrown by Red Skelton (as Harry Ruby) and tells "Ruby" to take it easy.

DVD Features of Three Little Words co-starring Fred Astaire, Red Skelton

Available Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), French (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
New featurette Three Little Words: It’s All True
Vintage Fitzpatrick Traveltalk short "Roaming Through Michigan"
Classic MGM Tex Avery cartoon “Ventriloquist Cat”
Audio-only bonus: Paula Stone’s Hollywood USA radio promo featuring Fred Astaire & Harry Ruby
Theatrical trailer

Courtesy of YouTube, the original movie trailer for Three Little Words:

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About the Author

Tom Raymond, aka. Raynbow the Clown, is a professional clown working out of Madison, Wisconsin, and is available for ministry events, conventions and conferences.

Posted by Tom Raymond, aka Raynbow on 10/01 at 01:31 AM
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