SmugKitZine Tied for the best movie I have ever seen

Tedfoldol everything you have heard about this movie is true.

TaryBiggBall It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

Brennan Camacho Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

theoctobercountry As I've noted previously, I'm a tremendous old-movie buff. Unfortunately, not all the A-list films from Hollywood's golden age are in fact all that golden...Case in point: "The Belle of New York" (1952). This is widely considered to be one of Fred Astaire's worst films, and I'm afraid I have to agree. Difficult to see how things went so wrong, when all the right ingredients were in place. In this instance, the typical MGM magic missed the mark.The film is just so, well, uninspired from beginning to end. There's only the faintest whisper of a plot, with none of the characters seeming the least bit grounded in the admittedly loose reality of the world of musicals---none of the emotions portrayed seem real or carry any weight. Plus, there's a definite problem with the music---the songs are pleasant enough but instantly and utterly forgettable. I couldn't remember any of these tunes mere moments after they had ended.The thing is, the film contains many elements that should have made it so much better; in theory, there's a lot to like about this picture. While the songs aren't so great, the dancing is splendid. Here you have Vera-Ellen and Fred Astaire partnered---they were two of the very best dancers of Hollywood's golden age, and it's a pleasure to watch them work their magic. The supporting cast is amusing---Marjorie Maine is always a force to be reckoned with. And Alice Pearce just cracks me up- --I have a great fondness for this actress (twelve years after this film she would play Gladys Kravitz in the television series "Bewitched"). And of course visually the film is a treat, with lovely costumes and vivid Technicolor. But overall---the whole thing still remains rather tiresome and a disappointment in many respects. For old film buffs only.I've noted that Vera-Ellen was a great dancer, but that doesn't begin to cover it---she was an astoundingly good dancer; one of the best that ever worked at the studio. And on top of that she was quite attractive; she looks absolutely lovely in this film. But somehow stardom eluded her... I think she lacked that indefinable spark, that special charisma, that the great stars had. While she performs well enough in this picture, the viewer is never really drawn to the character; there's something missing in her acting, in the way her personality comes across, it seems to me.... While best remembered for her role in 1954's "White Christmas," Vera-Ellen continued to work in films until 1957, when she gave it all up. She had made fourteen films over the course of twelve years, but after that she never returned to the screen.

Hotwok2013 Nobody could truthfully say that "The Belle Of New York" is a great movie but it does showcase the dancing talents of Fred Astaire & Vera-Ellen which, for me at least, makes it worth watching. Astaire was the greatest Hollywood dancer of all with the only possible exception of Gene Kelly. Lovely Vera-Ellen was not only one of Hollywood's best female dancers but had a pair of the most gorgeous gams I have ever seen. Astaire is always great to watch & Vera-Ellen does a very sexy dance to a song entitled "Naughty But Nice". She is dressed in a kind of black chiffon can-can dancers outfit & looks fabulous in it. Squeaky-voiced comedienne Alice Pearce also makes an appearance in this movie & a very funny lady she was but, sadly, died fairly young. All in all this movie is pretty good & fairly entertaining.

jfarms1956 The Belle of New York may best be appreciated by baby boomers. Young children 4 to 9 years of age may also enjoy the movie. This is a good movie for grandparents to watch with their grandchildren to maybe show what good entertainment is to their grandchildren. I enjoy these shows within a show. I love to watch the song and dance routines within a show, especially when they are good. With Fred Astaire in the mix, the dance is always good. The songs are fairly good as well. This is an anytime movie when the family can get together and watch a nonviolent movie that is fun. The plots in these kind of movies are simple and predictable. So what. The movie provides light hearted entertainment. Grab the popcorn or bring the pizza. You will enjoy the movie.

Ed Fred was right; he should never have done this film.I've never seen "Yolanda and the Thief" so I can't compare it but this has got to be one of his worst musicals. Fred and the rest of the cast is pretty much wasted though the "I Wanna be a Dancin' Man" number is indeed a classic and handily escapes the mediocrity of the rest. But you can see it without having to endure this turkey, most notably in "That's Entertainment III". The cast has all appeared to better advantage elsewhere: Marjorie Main plays, surprise, surprise, a battle-ax and when she calls Fred "young man", you have to wonder what she's been drinking. (He was around 50 and looked it! In "Royal Wedding" which preceded it, at least he plays Jane Powell's brother, not love interest.) Alice Pearce plays the homely comedienne part to little avail even if she has a song ("Let a Little Love Come in") or two.Vera Ellen, an accomplished dancer, has near-zero chemistry with Fred and his "falling in love" with her or, even worse, she with him, has only to do with the script. His floating and dancing on air therefore looks doubly ridiculous and doesn't come off at all.Watch only if you must!