The last film Gene Kelly directed was this sequel to That’s Entertainment! (1974). A few welcome changes to the concept have been made. The hosts have been reduced to only two – Fred Astaire and Kelly, the “aristocrat” and “proletarian” of Hollywood musicals. They do a lovely job and are also given the chance to prove that their talents certainly haven’t faded. Those musical clips that grace this documentary are of course leftovers from the predecessor, but Hollywood’s movie vaults are so jam-packed with valuables that most of the song-and-dance acts are very engaging. Clips from comedies and dramas have also been included this time round, but there’s a random feel to the choices. Nice salutes to Frank Sinatra and Tracy-Hepburn.
1976-U.S. 133 min. Color-B/W. Part Widescreen. Produced by Saul Chaplin, Daniel Melnick. Directed by Gene Kelly. Featuring: Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly.
Trivia: Followed by That’s Entertainment! III (1994).
