Three Little Words (1950) Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

Biographical films also known as 'biopics', I love them and I especially enjoy musical biopics. One of my favorites is Yankee Doodle Dandy. But when you think of song and dance several names come to mind and one of them has to be Fred Astaire.

In 1950 MGM teamed up song and dance man Fred Astaire with America's clown Red Skelton for the musical biopic Three Little Words.  Next Year (2025) will mark this film's 75 anniversary. Warner Archive Collection have restored and transferred this musical to Blu-ray with bonus features.

Synopsis: Bert Kalmar (Fred Astaire) always wanted to be a magician, but all it takes is a disastrous opening night to make his dreams go poof! So, Kalmar moves on and finds songwriting magic with collaborator Harry Ruby (Red Skelton). The stage-and-screen songsmiths whose many tunes include Groucho Marx's signature Hooray for Captain Spaulding receive a Hollywood hooray in this audience-favorite screen biopic featuring a hit parade and Kalmar and Ruby standards (including "(Nevertheless) I'm in Love with You", "Who's Sorry Now", and the title tune). Astaire puts on his dancing shoes for dazzling duets with Vera-Ellen, and a tap solo.

Okay like many Hollywood productions in this biopic many of the scenes are fictionalized. But the film is such a great piece of cinema it is forgivable. Astaire and Skelton are spectacular as Kalmar and Ruby. Than Vera-Ellen and Arlene Dahl are perfect as the wives of the duo. When watching this film watch out for a cameo by the actual Harry Ruby.

A taut script written by George Wells (Take me out to the Ball Game), amazing songs, tremendous dance numbers, wonderful performances and great direction by Richard Thorpe (The Thin Man Goes Home) was the perfect formula for a box-office smash. Fred Astaire won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy in 1951. Fred Astaire said this was one of his favorite performances.

Warner Archive have restored and transferred Three Little Words to Blu-ray in 1080p and is presented in 1.37:1 Aspect Ratio. The audio is an English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 Mono. There is also the option for English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing.

What a wonderful looking transfer this is. The picture is crisp and clean with no speck of dirt or damage that I witnessed and the colors are like something from a bag of skittles. They literally pop off the screen. The audio is clean with no hiss or pops. Warner Archive has done it again with a simply gorgeous Blu-ray. But they added some awesome bonus features as well! Take a look!

* Three Little Words: Two Swell Guys: A 15 minute featurette looking back at this wonderful film with archival interviews

* Classic M-G-M cartoon Ventriloquist Cat (1950) Blackie the cat is being chased by Spike, when he finds a device that helps you throw your voice. He then uses the device to play pranks on Spike.

* Classic M-G-M short Roaming Through Michigan: A near 9 minute James FitzPatrick Traveltalk featurette

* Paula Stone's Hollywood USA Radio Promo: A 1950 radio promo for the film featuring brief interviews with the stars.

*Original Theatrical Trailer

When Warner Archive Collection loads the Blu-rays up with cartoons classic shorts, featurettes and radio programs, I am in 7th Heaven. So, with you calculate a tremendous musical biopic and all these fun bonus features. I consider this a must own! 

So, if you are a fan of Red Skelton, Fred Astaire musicals or biopics. This is the best of all those worlds in one film. This Blu-ray from Warner Archive is the best way to see it. head over to MovieZyng and order your copy today, you won't be disappointed.



Out of 4 film reels (4 being the best) Three Little Words Blu-ray receives....