utgard14 Musical biopic about the songwriting team of Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby (Fred Astaire and Red Skelton). I have never heard of these gentlemen before this movie, nor do I know how historically accurate this is. I will go out on a limb and assume not so much. Astaire and Skelton are both good. Skelton actually reins it in a bit. Not much of his usual slapstick, save for a few diversions in the brief baseball scenes. Vera-Ellen does a terrific job with the dancing but looks frightfully thin. It's always rough for me to watch her movies when she had that disturbingly tiny waist. Arlene Dahl has a mostly bland role as Skelton's love interest. She doesn't stand out. Keenan Wynn appears in a supporting role. Sexy Gale Robbins gives a great performance of "All Alone Monday." The songs are all nice. The film's highlight is the Debbie Reynolds/Carleton Carpenter "I Wanna Be Loved by You" number, with Reynolds playing Helen Kane (who dubbed the singing herself). All in all, it's a nice little MGM musical. Not the best but pleasant and enjoyable.

MartinHafer Because I am a retired history teacher, I have got to point out that this film is mostly fiction. The opening says it's 'BASED on the lives and music of Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby'. While there was a real life song writing duo of Kalmar and Ruby, much of what you see in the film was pure hogwash. The duo actually LIKED each other and none of the friction between them in the film actually existed in real life. HOWEVER, even though I know this, I still had to watch the film for one reason--it stars Fred Astaire! Heck, I'd watch him in any movie...period. It's not just his dancing and singing that I like, but it's his classy persona in films. It's hard not to like the guy and want to see him in ALL his movies! This movie was an interesting experience for me. Usually, I watch old MGM musicals on my own because my family thinks these sorts of films are silly. Well, recently I got my oldest to watch a few of these films but tonight I was surprised when my wife also sat down to watch. And, my youngest joined in to see the film. And, surprisingly, they all had a great time watching it. Now it's not surprising I'd like it--but the rest of my family, too! Overall, we had a great time--even if the story was pretty much fictionalized.A couple things to look for in the film is the baby dance (you'll love it when they start tossing the kid about) as well as the rather offensive Kalmar-Ruby tune about the Japanese.

jane_e1 I loved every aspect of this movie. It is truly a shame that it doesn't receive more attention. I can only attribute that to the fact that it is biographical in nature and that the names Kalmar and Ruby are not familiar to today's viewing audiences.what they are missing is some wonderful song and dance routines, and some great back and forth between to legendary performers. It's truly a shame that so many misconceptions abound about such a wonderful film. Personal taste aside, I would like to clear up a few factual misconceptions about the actor Red Skelton and his portrayal of Ruby. Perhaps the last reviewer is unaware of just how appropriate the role of Harry Ruby was for Skelton. Skelton composed symphonies and was highly intelligent. His humor may have seemed lowbrow, but he was somewhat of a genius in his own right. He also bears a strong physical resemblance to Harry Ruby who actually has a cameo in the film. And if all of this is not enough of a selling point for you, you must know that you have not lived until you have seen Debbie Reynolds as Helen Kane performing "I wanna be loved by you"

ryancm This is what MGM did best. Musicals. Ah, they were all so wonderful, and THREE LITTLE WORDS in one of them. A nice, quiet muscial with great songs and dance numbers. Don't know how much of this is real biographical, but it's well done and interesting. Nice work from Astaire and Skelton as Kilmer and Ruby. The leading ladies are quite wonderful with Arlene Dahl at her dreamiest, though she doesn't have much to work with here. Because of story implications, Astaire doesn't dance after the first half, but until then he's sensational as always with Vera Ellen doing some fine hoofing as well. This was Debbie Reynolds 3rd film, having a bit in JUNE BRIDE and a small roll in DAUGHTER OF ROSIE O'GRADY. No Decalogue here and her voice is dubbed, but she makes an impression. For a nice, cozy evening, cuddle up with this DVD version of THREE LITTLE WORDS.