TheLittleSongbird Love Gene Kelly and musicals, but 'Living in a Big Way' is somewhat of a lesser film in Kelly's filmography and while there are definitely far worse film musicals out there while watchable there are far better as well.There are pleasures here. The best thing about 'Living in a Big Way' is the dancing, which is memorable and a sheer delight. The sequence on the construction site sends up an absolute storm, and it is difficult to resist the adorable one with the dog. Kelly is charismatic in the lead and dances a dream as always, he's never put a foot wrong when it comes to dancing and has dazzled more often than not as a choreographer. Jean Adair and Spring Byington are breaths of fresh air in support, and Phyllis Thaxter charms even with a limited character and a subplot that is not developed that well.You can't talk about a musical without mentioning the music/songs, and while only "It Had to Be You" is a classic all of them are very pleasant to listen to with nothing coming over as a dud. Gregory La Cava does reliably direction-wise with what there is, and the production values are lovingly done if not spectacular.On the other hand, Clinton Sundberg falls completely flat and is not funny at all, what was intended as sardonic comes over as mean-spirited and Sundberg just grates to maximum effect. Outside of the musical numbers and the dance sequences, the story is nowhere near as memorable and can drag, suffering also from a lack of chemistry between Kelly and Marie McDonald, who is very sympathetic and cold with little charm or range.Coming off worst is the script, which tonally is very confused, inept at worst, and doesn't seem to be able to decide what it wanted to be. It tries to be comedy, drama, a musical and social message film, and only really succeeds at the musical. The comedy has fleeting good moments, mainly with Adair, but frequently grates and lacks wit particularly with Sundberg. The drama lays it heavy with the sentimentality and the over-maudlin quality is hard to stomach on occasions, while the social message element was forced and unnecessary.On the whole, an obscure with pleasures, like the memorable dancing, but because the script is as poor as it is, is worth it for curiosity value and for Kelly completests but not much else. 5/10 Bethany Cox

mark.waltz There's a lot to like in this musical variation on "The Best Years of Our Lives" where a returned G.I.(Gene Kelly, once again in a military uniform) comes back to Los Angeles to find the bride he married before going overseas and ends up believing only married him for his allotment checks. It turns out that she (Marie McDonald, aka "The Body") is actually a wealthy socialite, a beauty contest winner who has no interest in being married to him, at first. Through the advice of her spunky grandma (Jean Adair of "Arsenic and Old Lace"), Kelly decides to move on, taking over her old mansion which he intends to turn into a residence for homeless veterans. The more he looses interest in McDonald, the more she gets interested in him again. The real issue for Kelly is the question, is she really worth the effort? As it turns out, the answer to that is an empathetic "No!" with her selfishness so obvious that it becomes obvious that Kelly is way above her. Everybody in her family likes him and seems to find McDonald only tolerable because she's one of the family. But this is an MGM musical, and in these films, the bad girls usually reform or are more comic relief. McDonald seems more appropriate for film noir where the femme fatal is usually a big-busted, rather masculine female with little or no redeeming values. Then, there's Clinton Sundberg as the prissy butler, a nasty character whose wisecracking makes Monty Woolley in "The Man Who Came to Dinner" and Clifton Webb in "Laura" seem masculine by comparison. His nasty commentary on everything going on becomes tiresome after a while. Usually cast in quietly sardonic roles, this "vicious queen" part is so stereotypically awful that you just wish the boss (Charles Winninger as McDonald's world-weary father) would give him the boot. Spring Byington adds another overly concerned wife role to her repertoire, nagging Winninger about his drinking even though you can understand why he reaches for the bottle in the first place.The musical numbers are all superb and are quite different than anything Kelly had done up to that point. He sings and dances to "I'll See You in My Dreams" with McDonald (set in happier times when they first met), has a cute dance number with McDonald's neglected pooch, and later participates in a bunch of children's games where his acrobatic skills (later perfected in "The Pirate") are shown off to great effect.The scenes where Kelly befriends widow Phyllis Thaxter have you hoping that he'll give McDonald the boot and find happiness with this Donna Reed like young lady, but this is MGM where divorce can't be granted easily. This gives the film a multi-personality, the mix of comedy, music and drama sometimes conflicting, and certainly wrapped up too smoothly.

edwagreen What a wonderful movie we have here. It had heart and in a musical way.Jean Adair, as the wise grandmother, steals the film with her keen mind and knowing what's good for all. Ms. Adair, who was quite a hoot 3 years before as the crazed Brewster sister in "Arsenic and Old Lace," was terrific here. Ironically, in a small role, the guy who played Teddy Roosevelt running up the stairs, who thought he was in San Juan Hill in the same picture, briefly is in this wonderful film as well.The film is an excellent one because it has a great plot and attempts to deal with these war-time sudden marriages and aftermath once peace came in 1945.Gene Kelly,as always making the dancing look easy, is absolutely wonderful here. Gene also had a wonderful knack dancing with children or with animation as we saw two years before in "Anchor's Aweigh." He gets great support by Marie MacDonald, who unfortunately died so young, as the spoiled rich brat who married him and then wants to dump him on his return.You wonder through the entire film if Kelly will reunite with MacDonald or instead go to Phyllis Thaxter, so appealing as a war widow with 3 children. The idea of the wealthy family comprising of a comical Charlie Winninger and Spring Byington,(she's terrific at the pool scene and in court as well)and Adair helping the homeless veterans by providing adequate housing for them, greatly adds to the film.You know this is a great film because you'll be sorry that it ends, but with a proper ending.

rhill-19 I absolutely fell in love with "Living in A Big Way" when I first saw it! Reason #1 is because I LOVE, ADORE, and am a HUGE fan of GENE KELLY. He was such a wonderful dancer, actor, and choreographer. Not to mention his extremely handsome looks and his sensual personality. I love his role in this movie. He was such a gentleman. This movie showcased his wonderful talent for acting. I enjoyed Marie MacDonald as well. It was my first time of ever seeing or knowing anything about her, and this excellent movie made me a fan of her's as well. Actually, the whole cast in this movie was enjoyable and great. The humor between the butler,"Everette Hanover Smythe", and the father, Mr. Morgan; Mrs. Morgan's courtroom humor, and especially grandmother Morgan's immediate attachment to, and concern for "LEO GOGARTY." And GENE'S number "FIDO AND ME" is adorable. The opening dance number with GENE and MARIE is very nice too. I would recommend that anyone see this movie. It will truly remain dear to your heart forever. Or at least it has to mine. And you'll fall in love with GENE all over again. I rate it my #2 favorite GENE KELLY MOVIE, and I've seen and own a quite many of his movies. They're a part of my daily routine! So trust me when I tell you, you'll love this movie! Watch it and enjoy!!