Easter Parade

The only time the two greatest Hollywood musical stars teamed up was an accident - Gene Kelly had broken his ankle and suggested the initially reluctant Fred as his replacement. In the event, it's not an ideal coupling, a stylistic unease between them - save in the legendary novelty song 'A Couple of Swells' - being often apparent. Nevertheless, Easter Parade is the sort of musical to put your feet up for, lifted by three bursts of dynamism: Fred's show number 'Steppin' Out with My Baby', his brilliantly inventive 'Drum Crazy', and Ann Miller's knock-down broadside 'Shakin' the Blues Away'. The story is Pygmalion-esque, the songs vintage Irving Berlin. And if you think they can't sing in 'At Long Last Love', bend an ear to Peter Lawford wrestling with 'A Fella with an Umbrella'.