Watch Three Little Words

Three Little Words is a 1950 musical comedy loosely based on the life and songs of the Tin Pan Alley songwriters Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. The movie follows the story of how the two young men meet, become friends, and start writing songs together, eventually becoming a successful songwriting duo. The film stars Fred Astaire as Bert Kalmar, Vera-Ellen as Jessie Brown, and Red Skelton as Harry Ruby. Astaire and Vera-Ellen have great chemistry, and their dance numbers are a highlight of the movie. Astaire also gets to showcase his comedic skills, something not always present in his other films.

The movie opens in the early 1900s, with Bert Kalmar performing in a vaudeville show. After a few unsuccessful years, he meets Harry Ruby, who convinces him to work together and write songs. Kalmar initially resists, but Ruby's persistence eventually wins him over. Together, they begin writing songs that become popular in vaudeville and eventually on Broadway.

As they become more successful, Kalmar marries Jessie Brown, a singer in one of their shows. After a few bumps in the road, including a brief separation, the couple reconciles and has a son. Meanwhile, Ruby also falls in love and gets married, but his wife is unhappy with the constant travel and time-consuming songwriting process.

The movie is filled with fantastic song-and-dance numbers, including "I Love You So Much," "Thinking of You," and "Nevertheless." Astaire's "Where Did You Get That Girl?" is a standout, featuring an intricate dance routine with a coat rack. Vera-Ellen's talent shines during the "Thinking of You" number, where she dances with a group of umbrellas.

One of the most memorable scenes in the movie is the performance of the song "Three Little Words," which gives the movie its title. The song becomes an instant hit and is still a popular standard today. Another memorable scene is a sequence where Ruby sings "Sunny Side Up" to his wife while they ride in a horse-drawn carriage through Central Park.

The movie also features a talented supporting cast, including Arlene Dahl as a vaudeville performer and Gloria DeHaven as a starlet who sings one of Kalmar and Ruby's songs. Debbie Reynolds also appears in a small role as a little girl.

Despite its comedic and musical elements, the movie also touches on some serious topics, including the strain that the music business can put on personal relationships. The film also highlights the importance of friendship and the power of teamwork in achieving success.

Overall, Three Little Words is an enjoyable musical comedy that showcases the talents of its stars, particularly Astaire and Vera-Ellen. The catchy songs and dance numbers are sure to leave audiences tapping their toes and humming along. Fans of classic Hollywood musicals will not be disappointed by this charming film.

Three Little Words is a 1950 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.