Three Little Words (1950) [Warner Archive Blu-ray review]

Three Little Words is another musical biopic about a musical partnership from the first half of the 20th Century. When Warner Archive picks a monthly theme, they really stick with it. That being said, there’s not a ton going on in the movie. You get an early Debbie Reynolds role where she portrayed Helen Kane. Kane provides the lip sync singing voice, but it’s still noteworthy. Anyways, let’s talk about Three Little Words.

What is Three Little Words?

Three Little Words follows Bert Kalmar (Fred Astaire) and Harry Ruby (Red Skelton), chronicling their partnership from its inception to their eventual success in the world of Broadway and film. Bert, initially a vaudeville dancer, is forced to quit dancing after an injury, which propels him into songwriting and leads to his fateful meeting with Harry Ruby. The movie follows their ups and downs as a creative team, their romantic relationships—with Vera-Ellen playing Jessie Brown, Bert’s love interest, and Arlene Dahl as Eileen Percy, Harry’s eventual wife—and the genuine friendship that forms between them. The story focuses on their collaborative spirit, capturing the magic that made their songs timeless.

Fred Astaire does magic!

Fred Astaire isn’t asked to do much, other than keep the music and the show on the road. He does a little soft shoe with Vera-Ellen and cracks up with Red Skelton. But for 102 minutes, this is all about keeping smiles on faces and butts in seats. Three Little Words at its core isn’t that different than popular mainstream fare of today. But, what works about it is that when the plot gets thin, it leans on what works. That being Fred Astaire doing what Astaire does best.

Friends will keep you sane

At its core, Three Little Words is a tribute to friendship and the creative process. It’s about how two very different personalities—Kalmar’s driven, slightly cynical demeanor, and Ruby’s laid-back, humorous approach—can come together to create something lasting. The film also highlights the struggles and sacrifices inherent in show business, particularly how artists adapt when their original dreams fall apart. Bert’s injury is a reminder of how fragile a performer’s career can be, but his ability to pivot and thrive is the ultimate feel-good aspect of the story.

The movie also touches on love—not just romantic love, but the love of performing and creating. Kalmar and Ruby’s partnership is portrayed as a genuine relationship built on mutual respect, even when they disagree or clash. It’s a love letter to the vaudeville era, with plenty of nods to the styles and trends of early 20th-century entertainment.

Three Little Words comes to Blu-ray via Warner Archive

The Warner Archive Blu-ray release gives Three Little Words the polish it deserves. The film’s Technicolor cinematography, by Harry Jackson, looks vibrant and fresh, with the restoration bringing out the bold colors of the costumes and the warmth of the elaborate sets. The musical sequences, in particular, benefit from the high-definition upgrade, with details in the choreography and set design now more apparent than ever.

The sound quality is also improved, with André Previn’s musical direction sounding as rich as intended. The dialogue is clear, and the songs are presented with the dynamic range needed to fully appreciate Kalmar and Ruby’s work. Fans of classic musicals will appreciate how this Blu-ray release revitalizes the entire experience, allowing the charm of the performances and the beauty of the music to shine through.

Some final thoughts

Three Little Words may not delve into the gritty details of Kalmar and Ruby’s lives, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a celebration of their work and a heartfelt portrayal of a partnership that brought joy to millions. Fred Astaire and Red Skelton shine as the central duo, bringing charisma, humor, and warmth to their performances. The chemistry between the two leads is undeniable, and their journey from struggling artists to Broadway legends is a joy to watch.

The Blu-ray comes with featurettes, vintage shorts, classic MGM cartoons and an original trailer. The A/V Quality is on point with a clean 1080p transfer. Plus, you get a DTS-HD 2.0 mono track that supports the film’s audio roots. It’s quite the stellar release from Warner Archive.

Three Little Words is available on Warner Archive Blu-ray at MovieZyng

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