Can-Can

Cole Porter's Gay Paree musical about the introduction in Montmartre in 1896 of the notorious Can-Can dance, is brought to the screen, filtered through a Rat Pack sensibility. Shirley MacLaine stars as Simone Pistache, the perky and vivacious owner of a Parisian cafe, who, aided by her swingin' ...more

Onstage, Cole Porter's +Can-Can was a hit largely because of its attractive (if not top-notch) score and the electrifying performance of Gwen Verdon (in a supporting role). The score, supplemented of course, remains fetching in the film version, but there's no Verdon -- or anyone else -- to provide the bolt of lightning that is called for. As on Broadway, the script deserves a large part of the blame, a mediocre and barely serviceable frame upon which to hang the songs and dances. Although ...more