StyleSk8r
At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.
Quiet Muffin
This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.
Philippa
All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.
Catherina
If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.
davidallen-84122
I really must come to the defence of "Let's Be Happy"; a near-forgotten little gem.My family and I enjoyed this film twice,on it's initial release,so I'll admit to a certain amount of nostalgia in my review.This was the last time Vera-Ellen appeared on screen;a pity,given her talent and charm.It's not difficult to share her enthusiasm as she travels to Scotland to enjoy her inheritance and while the plot may be considered tame by the many detractors,there is a naive appeal about the way it all unfolds.Robert Flemyng essays a certain Gaelic charm as he escorts the heroine on a guided tour of Scotland (nice location shots too).This was also the last time Tony Martin appeared on screen in a musical.The songs are pleasant and he is in good voice,particularly singing 'One Is A Lonely Number";a lovely,haunting ballad.Three other musicals released in N.Z. in 1957;"Silk Stockings", ''Funny Face" and "Les Girls",may now enjoy a 'cult' following,but,strange as it may seem, they all irritate me in ways that "Let's Be Happy" does not.I'm looking forward to replacing my poor quality video copy with the wide-screen DVD.
malcolmgsw
This was the last film for both for Tonyartin,often out of tune,and Vera Ellen,out of form.The story is silly,the music mediocre and the dances are dull.This film highlights all that was wrong with a genre that was going extinct.When this film was being made Bill Haley and Elvis were wowing cinema-goers.The leads were playing a style that might have worked in the forties but was becoming passé.Martin was 44 and Vera Ellen was 36 when this film was made which emphasised the problems of the musicals.All the main musical stars,Astaire,Crosby,Kelly,Sinatra were middle aged and would have to turn to dramatic roles to prolong their film careers.Colour and scope do a lot for Edinburgh but little for the stats
verna-a
This film wouldn't ever be listed as a major musical, but I found it likable. There are hackneyed elements to the story but it moves along well and good use is made of minor characters. The two stars obviously both have more than a few miles on the clock - Martin has a very lived-in face, and Vera-Ellen could use a botox injection, but they are both agreeable presences. These days (I'd like to think) their age would be acknowledged in a story line which gave them each a second-time around background, but not in those days. The 50's fashions look great on Vera-Ellen and the redhead opposition. The Paris and Edinburgh locations are milked to advantage. I enjoyed the touches of Britishness in the "lord" and the hotel staff. The dances are sometimes slight, but enjoyable. Altogether quite a lot to like, worth sticking with as a pleasant piece of escapism.
wes-connors
After inheriting some money, small Vermont town dancer Vera-Ellen (as Jeannie MacLean) decides to visit Scotland. On the plane, she meets singing Idaho businessman Tony Martin (as Stanley Smith). Romance begins, but things get complicated when she meets dashing Robert Flemyng (as James "Jimmy" MacNairn), a broke English Lord looking for a rich American wife. Meanwhile, Mr. Martin has caught the eye of sexy red-haired Zena Marshall (as Helene). The film's tagline "Tony Rocks 'Em!! Vera Rolls 'Em!!" points to how the two early 1950s stars were being falsely promoted to a new audience, who were not going to find any "Rock 'n' Roll" here. "Let's Be Happy" features nice color and setting.**** Let's Be Happy (5/8/57) Henry Levin ~ Vera-Ellen, Tony Martin, Robert Flemyng, Zena Marshall