I Love Melvin

Released Mar 20, 1953

1 hr. 16 min.

Musical

Comedy

List

Reviews

55%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

Insignificant assistant photographer Melvin Hoover (Donald O'Connor) is instantly love-struck after meeting struggling actress and chorus line dancer Judy LeRoy (Debbie Reynolds). To win her over, Melvin greatly embellishes the importance of his position at a trendy magazine, claiming that with his help Judy could appear on the magazine's cover. Their budding romance is threatened, however, when Melvin's ploy is exposed to Judy and her entire family during a staged photo shoot.

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Steve D

One of the thinnest scripts ever put to film.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best of the MGM musicals of the time period, being held back only by its title "I Love Melvin". What genius sunk this classic with that monstrosity of a name? This is a magical and wonderful movie musical with great chemistry between Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds. In this vehicle, we are finally free of the egotistical Gene Kelly and are introduced to the talented and delightful Donald O'Connor who dances to entertain us; not to prove to us how great he is. Debbie Reynolds is delightful as well as talented and there is genuine chemistry between O'Connor and Reynolds. This MGM musical was, by far and away, better than "Singin' in the Rain" but audiences have tuned into the title of "Rain" -- which was written several decades before the movie ever came out -- and there is no great title song associated with "I Love Melvin" like there should be. That was a huge mistake on MGM's part, leaving this great movie musical in the dark when it should have been at the forefront of the studio's best productions. "I Love Melvin" is a masterpiece of the movie musical genre and should have served as a model for future successes. Try watching "I Love Melvin" and then "Singin' in the Rain" -- it's obvious that Melvin is much superior in almost every way. In Melvin, you are caught up in the characters, the music, the action, and the plot and you feel uplifted, as a good movie musical should make you feel. You won't get that same feeling from the inferior "Rain". "Melvin" is one of the best examples of a good Hollywood musical. If they had kept making them this way, they would still be making them. O'Connor and Reynolds and the supporting cast work well together. There is no showboating here or trying to outshine the other actor. We have a cast of people willing to share in the spotlight so that the audience can enjoy what is happening. This is the one of the best movie musicals of all time. .

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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Audience Member

Although the film contains some charming song and dance numbers, the non-compelling storyline is lackluster and predictable.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Audience Member

Minor MGM musical is a good example of how the studio could take a slight story and make it interesting; Reynolds and O'Connor make a nice team, especially in the "Where Did You Learn To Dance?" number; O'Connor also dances on roller skates.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

s r

A silly feel good musical.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

reunites reynolds & o'connor (from 'singing in the rain" for yet another musical.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Don Weis

Director

Donald O'Connor

Melvin Hoover

Debbie Reynolds

Judy Schneider

Una Merkel

Mom Schneider

Richard Anderson

Harry Flack

Allyn Joslyn

Frank Schneider

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Likable diversion.

Jun 24, 2019

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

The appealing energetic cast do wonders with the slight material.

Rated: B-

Apr 29, 2010

Full Review

Steve Crum

Video-Reviewmaster.com

Silly, typical '50s teen type fluff with competent O'Connor and Reynolds in leads.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 30, 2007

Full Review

Carol Cling

Las Vegas Review-Journal

OK musicial, but hardly an MGM classic.

Rated: 3/5

May 19, 2006

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Synopsis

Insignificant assistant photographer Melvin Hoover (Donald O'Connor) is instantly love-struck after meeting struggling actress and chorus line dancer Judy LeRoy (Debbie Reynolds). To win her over, Melvin greatly embellishes the importance of his position at a trendy magazine, claiming that with his help Judy could appear on the magazine's cover. Their budding romance is threatened, however, when Melvin's ploy is exposed to Judy and her entire family during a staged photo shoot.

Director: Don Weis
Screenwriter: George Wells
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: Musical, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 20, 1953, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2012

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