Starring Don Ameche, Alice Faye, Carmen Miranda, and SZ Sakall
Directed by Irving Cummings
Music by Harry Warren; Lyrics by Mack Gordon
That Night In Rio debuted a month before Great American Broadcast, and really, this may be one of the definitive 20th Century Fox musicals of the 1940's. It's certainly one of the most familiar - an oft-told story, filmed in glowing Technicolor, with stunning costumes and amazing sets. All this, and one of Carmen Miranda's earliest American roles, too. How does this version differ from the 1950 remake On the Rivera with Danny Kaye? Well, for starters, we kick off with Carmen (Miranda), the performer at a club in Rio De Janiero doing "Chica Chica Boom Chic" as her current flame, Larry Martin (Ameche), arrives onstage by car...
The Story: Danny is not only a dead ringer for aristocratic businessman Baron Manuel Duarte (Ameche), he even impersonates him during a lavish number in the club. The Baron has far more problems than being imitated. His airline may go under if he can't go to Buenos Ares to renew a contract he's bought more than 50 percent of the stock from, so he heads to Buenos Ares to figure things out. His partners Arthur Penna (Sakall) and Felicio Salles (Curt Bois) hire Martin to play the Baron and fool his rival Machado (J. Carrol Naish), and then his wife Cecilia (Faye) at a party. But first Larry inadvertantly buys the rest of the stock, then he falls for Cecelia...just as Carmen shows up at the party and the Baron comes home...
The Song and Dance: No wonder Ameche later called this his favorite role. He's really having a ball playing both the wisecracking comedian and the stuffy Baron. Miranda has almost as much fun doing her tropical numbers and mangling the English language. The Technicolor here is stunning, some of the best in any 20th Century Fox movie. Miranda's tutti-frutti hats and sparkling gowns really pop against the lavish nightclub and the Baron's stately home. There's also the great supporting cast, including Sakall and the twitchy Bois as the Baron's nervous partners.
Favorite Number: The movie starts off showcasing its two biggest assets, Ameche and Miranda, in "Chica Chica Boom Chic." The chorus in rainbow feather gowns dance as Miranda and her band sway to the catchy number. Ameche, as a Naval soldier, arrives in a fancy car for the last part. "The Baron Is In Conference" is Larry's imitation of the Baron as a lecherous playboy who spends his "meetings" surrounded by gorgeous ladies...when the truth is far less glamorous. First Ameche, then Faye performs "They Met In Rio (A Midnight Serenade)," and then the ballad "Boa Noite (Good Night)."
The big ones here are two of Miranda's most famous songs at the party. She first does "Cai Cai" with her band when called on to perform. That moves straight into the hit "I Yi Yi Yi Like You Very Much," complete with dancers.
What I Don't Like: The story is just as silly and cliched this time around. For all the fun Ameche's having, he lacks Kaye's flamboyance in the role...and his ability to really be two people. Faye apparently had the flu during filming, and it shows in her lackluster performance. She's a lot warmer and more interesting than Gene Tierney was as the wife in On the Rivera, but she still comes off as a little dull compared to the craziness around her.
The Big Finale: On the Rivera had the better leading man...but That Night In Rio is the better film. Highly recommended for fans of Miranda, Ameche, Faye, or the 20th Century Fox's tropical Technicolor extravaganzas of the 1940's.
Home Media: DVD only as part of the Marquis Musicals series, 20th Century Fox Cinema Archives series, and an Alice Faye set.
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