mark.waltz There is "Magic in the Moonlight", as Ann Sothern and Jane Powell cast as mother and daughter is ingenious casting, just as Kay Francis and Deanna Durbin had been in the original version of this film, "It's a Date". Of course, the younger girl gets more focus here as far as story is concerned, and here, Nancy is a 17 year old drama student dying to follow in her mother's footsteps to become a musical star. Sothern starts off the film onstage in an extremely old fashioned operetta (very dated by 1950 standards) while Powell's finale is elaborate and seems a bit more up to date with its glamorous blue sets, bridges and beautiful fake trees sparkling onstage. They are both in love with the same man (Barry Sullivan) who believes that Powell is an unwed 19 year old expecting a baby. Of course, the complications are resolved in between musical numbers performed by Powell and the colorful Carmen Miranda, whose sole purpose here is to be Powell's confidante and flirt with Sothern's dashing widowed father (Louis Calhern).Miranda has one number wearing a hat made entirely out of cocktail umbrellas, and another where she deals with an obnoxious drunk. Powell and Scotty Beckett lead a chorus of youngsters in the title song which includes some silly rhymes but features a wonderful rhythm. "Magic in the Moonlight" (heard earlier sung in Spanish in "Bathing Beauty") is a sweet melody, first sung by Powell on stage, and later reprised as a duet with mama Sothern. Calhern gets to dance a bit, doing a neat little soft shoe as Powell and Sothern sing "Shine on Harvest Moon".While inconsequential as far as the MGM musicals go, it is colorful and diverting, and at times quite amusing. But it's nothing you haven't seen before, and basically harmless fun. It's most alive when the gorgeous ladies get to sing, nodding off a bit with the romantic plot which sometimes seems to be an afterthought around which the screenplay was written.

SimonJack This is a well-crafted musical, comedy and romance. It has an excellent selection of tunes and dance numbers. Jane Powell, Ann Sothern, Carmen Miranda and Louis Calhern all shine in their roles and musical performances. And Barry Sullivan gives an incomparable performance as he becomes immersed in the major comedy ploy of the film. "Nancy Goes to Rio" is a great piece of entertainment, from the music to the cast and acting, to the plot and humor. I can't spoil this — but the major humorous ploy somewhat into the film is so funny, I laughed out loud so hard that I had to stop the film and replay the DVD — and that happened several times as the ploy continued to develop through the rest of the film. I've not had that experience very often over the years with movies. Thinking about it afterward, I realized how well written and scripted this movie was to be able to carry on the comedy subplot so well for so long in the movie.The acting, singing, sets and script are all tremendous, and the very straight-faced hilarity just puts this film over the top. The color in the film is brilliant and solid, and the film quality is excellent for a 1950 movie. This was before the time of shooting on locations, but the stage sets for Rio locales and skyline were quite good and added to the film. I don't recall ever having seen this movie until I recently bought it to view and decide if I wanted to add it to my collection of musicals. I don't know how I missed it in the past, but I was happily surprised that I found this film. It's a true gem. Obviously not many folks have seen this film, from the low number of comments; so, it may not have made the TV movie reruns over the years. But if you enjoy good movies and like musicals and quality humor and entertainment, you won't want to miss renting or buying this film. I highly recommend "Nancy Goes to Rio" as a fun film for young and old alike. It just leaves one with a warm feeling of satisfaction at having seen something very funny, endearing and wonderful.

w22nuschler This is a great little movie starring the great Jane Powell. Lousie Calhern, Carmen Miranda and Ann Southern round out a nice cast. Jane Powell plays the granddaughter of Louis Calhern and the daughter of Ann Southern. Her mother is a star of the stage and Jane wants badly to be as star as well. She has done several small plays, but nothing big. There is a delightful scene with Jane, Louis and Ann singing and dancing to Shine on Harvest Moon. A great song and well done by all three performers. Jane gets a chance to star in a big musical after performing for the plays head man. She goes to Rio to get coaching from her mom. She finds out she is to replace her mother in the play. She feels awful and leaves a message that she can't do it. She finds a friend in Carmen Miranda during the way. She also has a boyfriend, Scotty Beckett, that supports her as well. Louis has a funny scene later in the movie where he practices boxing to beat up the older man(Barry Sullivan) Jane says she is going to marry. Ann ends up marrying him and Jane ends up doing the play. I have no complaints as Jane Powell shines and is the star of this film.

britishdominion A so-so musical comedy, chipper and competently shot on the studio back lot far, far away from Rio. If there's any reason to watch this corny confection, it would be for the show-stopping number by Carmen Miranda in the nightclub. The hues alone are incredible! Everything is dripping in rich, over-saturated color - the costumes, the set - it's like an explosion at the Technicolor factory. The production designer and director were surely using the process to "wow" the audience used to common, flatter black and white films for so long, similar to the 3D process that would come along later. Inside this gem of a scene is Miranda's dance performance, which is really energetic and quite imaginative. If you ever wanted to test your TV screen color and balance, this scene from this piece of 50s flash might be the one to do that with. The rest of the film? Meh... hokum, but quaint.