The age of the big MGM musical production was beginning to wind down by the time this film was made. It has more story to it than most MGM musicals, revolving around three G.I. buddies and their vow in 1945 to meet in a particular bar ten years later. They all keep their word and keep the date, but each is vastly disappointed in how the other two have turned out and initially have nothing much to say to each other. There's some interesting commentary here on life in the 50's and in particular the early days of TV and advertising's place in it. Gene Kelly is entertaining as always, but I was really surprised by Dan Dailey's talent as the ad executive that comes to a startling self-realization at an inopportune time and does quite a performance dancing and singing about his plight.
This film was a product of the famed Arthur Freed unit, which made many lavish musicals in their time. Its fate parallels the fate of this film, due to the managerial chaos at MGM and changing audience tastes. Betty Comden of the Arthur Freed unit said that the staff was accustomed to seeing their musicals open at the best movie theaters, and were surprised when "It's Always Fair Weather" opened at numerous drive-ins! That's when they knew they were nearing the end of an era.
This film was a product of the famed Arthur Freed unit, which made many lavish musicals in their time. Its fate parallels the fate of this film, due to the managerial chaos at MGM and changing audience tastes. Betty Comden of the Arthur Freed unit said that the staff was accustomed to seeing their musicals open at the best movie theaters, and were surprised when "It's Always Fair Weather" opened at numerous drive-ins! That's when they knew they were nearing the end of an era.