Here is my submission for the L.A.M.B. (Large Association of Movie Blogs) Blog-a-thon entitled "Do Remakes Give You the Shakes?" Read the rules here. I decided to focus mine on Good News (1930) and it's remake Good News (1947).Remakes are a good thing only if they are well done. Unfortunately, what we get these days are sad excuses for movies. They are so bad that their mere existence seems like an insult to the glory of the original. While folks these days will tell you that the remake phenomenon is a new thing, classic film fans will tell you it is absolutely not. Many classic films were remade, sometimes within a couple of years of the release of the original. Remakes were an opportunity to update a great story and make it more relevant to contemporary audiences. It was also a great way to use more advanced technology and improved movie-making skills to represent the story in a flashier way. What we end up with are great originals and great remakes. Plus plus!
Good News was a popular Broadway musical about the fictional Tait College and some of its students. You've got a love triangle, a big exam, a football championship and fantastic musical numbers. It's the ultimate collegiate musical.
Good News (1930) was a black-and-white early talkie musical with a 3-4 minute Technicolor finale. Unfortunately, today that last reel is nowhere to be found (please check your attics). Shot at the end of the Roaring Twenties, it best represents the period in style, dress, movement and language. The BEST part of the movie by far is Penny Singleton (then known as Dorothy McNulty). Her little girl voice, flailing limbs and impressive gymnastics make her stand out in a good way her two musical numbers "Good News" and "Varsity Drag". I became a big fan of Singelton's instantly after watching it. Ann Dvorak fans will be tickled pink to see her as one of the student dancers in Singleton's numbers.
Good News (1947) was a Technicolor musical starring June Allyson, Peter Lawford and Mel Torme (the Velvet Fog). While it does not have Penny Singleton, it does have the multi-talented Joan McCracken who single-handedly steals the movie from all its other stars. This remake improves on several things. It takes advantage of being all Technicolor with lots of bright vibrant outfits and set designs. The choreography and dancing are much more sophisticated and polished. There are more songs. So many that a few had to be cut out, including "Easier Way" which happens to be my favorite. The plot is more clearly defined and they improved upon the story by introducing some new characters. In this one, you could easily learn how to do the Varsity Drag and dance it with your friends. Or alone, in your apartment, in the early morning hours, when you are getting ready for work. Like I do sometimes.
While both films are excellent in their own way, the 1947 version was indeed an improvement for that audience. It was an opportunity to take a great movie (musical) and revive it for modern times. This is what remakes should do and can still do if only people would concern themselves with what they could make rather than what they could get.
Special thank you to Jonas from All Singing! All Talking! All Dancing! for sending me a copy of Good News (1930).
