Words and Music

Released Dec 31, 1948

1 hr. 59 min.

Musical

List

20%

5 Reviews

Tomatometer

61%

500+ Ratings

Audience Score

In this fictionalized account of the partnership of songwriting legends Richard Rogers and Lorenz "Larry" Hart, Richard (Tom Drake), a well-mannered composer, teams up with eccentric but talented wordsmith Larry (Mickey Rooney). After years of failure, they finally manage to hit it big on Broadway. Meanwhile, Richard tries to win over the mature Joyce (Ann Sothern), and Larry, who is attempting to romance vocalist Peggy (Betty Garrett), struggles with depression and a debilitating illness.

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camille l

Au milieu d'une hagiographie sans aucun intérêt de deux compositeurs du Hollywood des années 40s se cache un ensemble de numéros musicaux réjouissants, réunissant les monstres de l'époque (Gene Kelly, Cyd Charisse, Judy Garland et autre Perry Como). Words and Music ne sert qu'à cela. Il n'y aurait quasiment rien à sauver à part la guirlande de performances remarquables et clairement, le film n'a été fait que pour ça. Mickey Rooney est d'ailleurs particulièrement nul dans un des rôles principaux. Mais il est pourtant impossible de bouder son plaisir devant une telle générosité narcissique que représente Words and Music.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Shari H

I found it brilliant, once again I am on the wrong side of the critics.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/15/19

Full Review

Audience Member

Wildly inaccurate account of Rodgers and Hart, bad portrayals by the actors. The songs, while sounding refreshing to ears of the 1940s, are very outdated. Many of them were re-done to great acclaim, which shows the team really had great talent. But this film gets everything wrong. It is a travesty to treat a talented team like Rodgers and Hart like this.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The best musical movie ever made! With the best movie song ever sung: The Lady Is a Tramp!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

MGM gave the world another Hollywood "biography" of Broadway composers - this time Rodgers & Hart (played by Tom Drake at his blandest and Mickey Rooney at his hammiest); as in most of these productions, it was the songs that mattered, and Metro didn't disappoint: Ann Sothern sings "Where's That Rainbow," June Allyson dances to "Thou Swell," Judy Garland (appearing as herself) solos with "Johnny One Note" and performs "I Wish I Were in Love Again" with Rooney (in their last film appearance together); Lena Horne does beautiful renditions of "Where or When" and "The Lady Is a Tramp," and - last but not least, Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen do justice the ballet "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue."

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An interesting and entertaining biopic on the songwriting partnership of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. Apparently, it is not entirely true to history, and sugar-coats their personalities. However, the music is great, and the story is entertaining. Great appearances, as themselves, by a who's-who of 1940s singers and actors (Judy Garland, Perry Como, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly...)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

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Norman Taurog

Director

Mickey Rooney

Lorenz Hart

Tom Drake

Richard Rodgers

June Allyson

Alisande La Carteloise

Perry Como

Eddie Lorrison Anders

Ann Sothern

Joyce Harmon

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Stuffed with star names, too many tunes and an inane story.

Jul 23, 2019

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jun 11, 2005

Full Review

Michael E. Grost

Classic Film and Television

some good song numbers

Rated: 2/5

May 28, 2005

Full Review

Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

Appallingly sanitized biopic of Rodgers and Hart.

Rated: 2/5

Apr 11, 2005

Full Review

Carol Cling

Las Vegas Review-Journal

Rated: 3/5

Dec 5, 2003

Full Review

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Synopsis

In this fictionalized account of the partnership of songwriting legends Richard Rogers and Lorenz "Larry" Hart, Richard (Tom Drake), a well-mannered composer, teams up with eccentric but talented wordsmith Larry (Mickey Rooney). After years of failure, they finally manage to hit it big on Broadway. Meanwhile, Richard tries to win over the mature Joyce (Ann Sothern), and Larry, who is attempting to romance vocalist Peggy (Betty Garrett), struggles with depression and a debilitating illness.

Director: Norman Taurog
Screenwriter: Fred F. Finklehoffe
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Genre: Musical
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 31, 1948, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2012

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