On the Town

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1h 38m

Musical

Comedy

List

93%

30 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Fun-loving sailors Gabey (Gene Kelly), Chip (Frank Sinatra) and Ozzie (Jules Munshin) have 24 hours of shore leave in New York City, and they want to make every second count. While Chip hooks up with loudmouth cab driver Brunhilde (Betty Garrett) and Ozzie swoons for prim anthropologist Claire (Ann Miller), Gabey falls in love with an actress he sees in an advertisement, Ivy Smith (Vera-Ellen). Leonard Bernstein, with lyricists Betty Comden and Adolph Green, provides the music.

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Critics Consensus

Overflowing with infectious enthusiasm, On the Town is an exhilarating musical ride across the real streets of New York featuring another graceful performance from Gene Kelly.

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Liam D

Classic Musical with star and co-director Gene Kelly (The Tunnel of Love) Frank Sinatra (Tony Rome) director Stanley Donen (Saturn 3) and composer Leonard Bernstein (On the Waterfront) combined together to create a blast and fun time

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/10/24

Full Review

Alec B

Once you've become more familiar with the original stage production and it's score this film adaption seems less like a classic and more like a missed opportunity. It's fun and the cast has some truly terrific performers but the removal of most of Bernstein's original music in favor of mostly lackluster songs is frustrating.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/14/23

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Nizar N

Another classic from Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra… Astounding visuals as usual, and an entertaining series of events. The only drawback would be the musical numbers that might not be very memorable, but are not so bad either, and they are redeemed by the impressive choreographies.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/19/23

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CodyZamboni

Silly, but watchably fun MGM musical, that benefits greatly from its' opening, the on location scenes in New York, and the great chemistry of the three leads, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin, as sailors on 24 hr shore leave. But, the fantastic opening scene is so strong, the rest of the movie suffers in comparison, as our trio seek out romance and get into all kinds of wacky situations. A little more editing would've helped, especially during the film's weakest moment, the Prehistoric Man number in the museum. Yikes! That was bad. Despite that, this movie is a pleasant diversion.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/26/23

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red t

Good Solid Golden Era Musical. The acting is good even though the characters are very one dimensional but they are brought to life by the actors charm and good chemistry between them. The Cinematography is the best part of the film overall with the setting of The Big Apple making everything stand out and pops on screen. The editing is very well done allowing the performers to showcase their dance and song talents in long takes and carrying over well to story segments. The pacing is good also with this being on the shorter side keeping things moving briskly but sometimes feels like it loses focus because of a lack of a cohesive plot. The plot biggest problem of the film as it feels like there is none at times but its still charming, entertaining and a surprisingly great chase sequence at the end that makes you able to look past it. The songs overall are good and well done. Prehistoric Man definitely does not live up to the quality of the rest of the soundtrack and is not good but is the only one. Some are stronger than others being more catchy but overall there very solid. I wouldn't call this a classic on its own rights but more a classic Gene Kelly & Sinatra musical showcasing their talents well. Definitely worth a watch if your a fan of either of them.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Gene Kelly has worst singing, speaking voice in world. Dance like circus animal. Music meh. NYC look historically interesting.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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Stanley Donen

Director

Gene Kelly

Director

Gene Kelly

Gabey

Frank Sinatra

Chip

Ann Miller

Claire Huddesen

Vera-Ellen

Ivy Smith

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

A bright Christmas confection.

Jun 19, 2019

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Adam Kempenaar

Filmspotting

It's hard to make a good musical with mediocre songs... One exception... the sweetness and gracefulness [of Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen] in "Main Street."

Rated: 2.5/5

Apr 22, 2019

Full Review

Ian Nathan

Empire Magazine

Delightful, athletic stuff with some unusual -- but wonderful -- location shooting. New York never looked better.

Rated: 4/5

May 3, 2013

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

On the Town features splendid performances and wonderful music in a spectacular directorial debut for Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 7, 2022

Full Review

Christopher Kane

Modern Screen

On the Town should contribute vastly to the gaiety of the population.

Feb 1, 2021

Full Review

Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

...the movie belongs to its women.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 16, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

Fun-loving sailors Gabey (Gene Kelly), Chip (Frank Sinatra) and Ozzie (Jules Munshin) have 24 hours of shore leave in New York City, and they want to make every second count. While Chip hooks up with loudmouth cab driver Brunhilde (Betty Garrett) and Ozzie swoons for prim anthropologist Claire (Ann Miller), Gabey falls in love with an actress he sees in an advertisement, Ivy Smith (Vera-Ellen). Leonard Bernstein, with lyricists Betty Comden and Adolph Green, provides the music.

Director: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
Screenwriter: Adolph Green, Betty Comden
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Warner Home Vídeo, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre: Musical, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 30, 1949, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2009
Runtime: 1h 38m

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