| | |  | Fun & Exercise | Home » » » Doll Face | | | | | | | Product Promotions: | | | | | Product Details: | | | Actors:
| Lex Barker, Vivian Blaine, Perry Como, Boyd Davis, Hal K. Dawson | | Format:
| Black & White, Closed-captioned, Dolby, DVD, NTSC | | Language:
| English | | Number of Discs:
| 1 | | Studio:
| Alpha Video | | Run Time:
| 80 minutes | | DVD Release Date:
| November 23, 2004 | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 10 reviews |
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1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 finally released from Public Domain hell!Jun 11, 2009
I've always had a soft spot for DOLL FACE, Twentieth Century-Fox's 1946 musical treat starring Vivian Blaine, Carmen Miranda and Perry Como. So when I heard that Fox was finally going to release their own pristine print on DVD, I was thrilled to finally junk my old Alpha public domain copy.
The plot for DOLL FACE was derived from a story entitled "The Naked Genius" written by renowned burlesque legend Gypsy Rose Lee (aka Louise Hovick). Vivian Blaine stars as stripper Doll Face Carroll, whose ghostwritten autobiography "Genius De Milo" becomes the catalyst for her talents to shine on Broadway. Along the way there's a rivalry between the two men in the Doll's lovelife (Dennis O'Keefe and Stephen Dunne); and some fun musical numbers with Carmen Miranda ("Chico Chico") and Perry Como ("Here Comes Heaven Again", and his classic "Dig You Later (A-Hubba Hubba Hubba)").
After enduring fuzzy, washed-out PD prints for years, it's a revelation to finally watch DOLL FACE in it's authorized studio version. This is Vivian Blaine's show all the way, and she has an infectious, fun-loving role as Doll Face Carroll. Carmen Miranda's a hoot as well.
Bonus features include Carmen Miranda's deleted musical number "True to the Navy", a mini commentary track from historian John Cork, photo galleries and the trailer. Welcome home, Doll Face!
Available separately or as part of Fox's Carmen Miranda Collection box-set (which also boasts "If I'm Lucky", "Greenwich Village" and "Something for the Boys" in addition to a colour-corrected remaster of "The Gang's All Here").
this is more than magnificent--in fact, it's mediocre and a little bit moreMay 28, 2009
Doll Face is a fairly good movie musical from Twentieth Century-Fox. The acting is rather convincing with the exception of Perry Como who appears rather stiff and uncomfortable; I just get the sense he held back a lot when he was on screen. The plot moves along at a good pace and the musical numbers are staged and choreographed very well. The cinematography is also very well done. The print quality is excellent although I am left wondering why they didn't film this in color.
When the action starts, we quickly meet Mary Elizabeth "Doll Face" Carroll (Vivian Blaine), a burlesque queen who comes to a ritzy Broadway theater with her boyfriend and stage manager Michael Francis "Mike" Hannegan (Dennis O'Keefe). She's trying out for Flo Hartman's (Reed Hadley) new operetta called "Park Avenue;" but even though they like her Hartman won't hire her because she's a burlesque queen. Naturally, Doll Face and Mike are upset--until Mike gets the idea that Doll Face should write a book to prove that she's got class, "true" cultured talent and loads of sophistication. When Doll Face expresses her doubts to Mike that she can write such a book; Mike simply says they'll hire a ghost writer and pay him off to make it look as if Doll Face had truly written her autobiography.
But trouble starts when the ghostwriter, Frederick Manly Gerard (Stephen Dunne), sees Doll Face; he begins to fall for her. At first, Doll Face refuses his advances and keeps everything strictly business even though Mike starts to feel threatened. Mike also gets sporadic advice from Chita Chula (Carmen Miranda), who also works in Mike's burlesque show. For a while things go fairly well--until Fred and Doll Face get stuck on the water in a boat when all Fred and Doll Face wanted to do was get to the publisher who lives on a small island off Jamaica Bay. Naturally, Mike misinterprets all this and he dumps Doll Face; she's pretty angry too and a romance does begin to blossom between Doll Face and Fred.
Of course from here the plot can go anywhere. At one point, Mike thinks that maybe they can put on their own show after Doll Face's book comes out; maybe they don't need to be in any Hartman show to be on Broadway--will this work out? Especially with these complications, that could be dicey. Will Doll Face ever patch things up with Mike--or will she accept Fred's offer of marriage and remain with Fred after all? And what about Nicky Ricci (Perry Como) who wants to go out with chorus girl Frankie Porter (Martha Stewart)--will he ever be able to catch her eye? Watch and find out!
The DVD comes with a few extras. There is a deleted scene with an optional commentary for that scene; and the stills gallery is very nicely done.
Doll Face is a "B" movie musical that could have been an "A" rated film if only Fox had given it its due. The musical numbers, especially the ones that feature Carmen Miranda and Vivian Blaine, are very good but without color they lacked that certain "something extra." However, this film isn't all that bad; and we do get fine acting from all except Perry Como who really sings much more than he acts or dances. If you like classic movie musicals, you should at least consider adding this one to your collection. Of course, fans of the actors in this movie would do well to get this DVD.
0 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Doll Face looks great,but has little of substance to offer!Dec 08, 2008
The 1946 movie Doll Face has finally been released by 20th Century Fox in pristine form.I have seen this movie many times(too many)on tv in either trincated and/or very washed out form.This print however is crisp and very clean and 20th Century is to be congratulated on its' efforts here.
Having said that however the movie itself is not one that holds up very well.There are countless others of this time period with as trivial a plotline as this that DO hold up very well(see "Down Argentine Way" or "Weekend in Havana").However "Doll Face"'s plot unfortunately falls flat more often than not and in the end is not as satisfying as it might otherwise be.Also Dennis O'Keefe's tough guy persona overwhelms the rest of the casts'characters so much that at times he proves to be a distraction from the others,dominating every scene he is in.The rest of the characters seem to just react to him and there are no others that come across quite as strong to balance things out.Besides this was a lower budget film and there are no actors of the caliber here of a Don Ameche or Alice Faye to give the film the extra pizzazz it so badly needs .
The film,based VERY loosely on a Gypsy Rose Lee book,involves the story of a burlesque queen(pronounced "burly-Q" by O'Keefes' character).As the film opens she is auditioning for a legit stage show.When she is turned down because of who she is(burlesque houses were considered by many of the time to be just a hop,skip and a jump from Satan's door!) her manager/sweatheart gets the idea of writing a book to make it appear she has as much class as anyone.They enlist the help of a rather snobbish writer who though reluctant because of its' subject matter eventually agrees to do it when he meets his subject(matter).The writer and subject get stranded when their boat stalls and the manager tracks them down and of course ends up with the wrong idea.He spilts with her on the spot and leaves the writer to finally getthisclose with her.Farther along she tries to stage a show based on her bestselling book but it seems her old boyfriend has to relinquish some of his previous control of her re their old contract.In the end the two get back together and the show goes on.
There are some very good musical numbers throughout but of course I give the inimitable Carmen Miranda the first prize here.She has only one number but was a joy in every number she was ever in and this one was no exception.There is also an extra Miranda number included in the special features section that was excised from the movie that is great to see.There is also a precious moment that has Carmens'character reacting to the mention of someone getting one Carmen Miranda to play a part.
The others in the cast also sing quite respectfully here and there and of course there's Perry Como.Perry had a wonderful voice and does sings his numbers well but he looks too stiff and self concious which unfortunately detracts from his performances and does nothing to enhance the picture.
All in all this picture,while worthy to film buffs,is not one that stands up well for a general audience today.If this picture did not have Carmen Miranda in it I doubt whether the film would be worthy of much interest at all.Also some might find today,mentions in the dialogue by O'Keefes'character of men having to use their fists to keep their girls in line,a little testing to say the least.The film has been restored wonderfully and does have some good moments,mostly with Miranda,but it was a B-grade picture then and it is still one now.
DOLL FACEJul 11, 2008
This post-war musical marked the eventual end of CARMEN MIRANDA'S contract with FOX. Once the highest paid actress in Hollywood in the early 40s, she was now reduced to B&W and just ONE Production number. In the height of her fame and popularity at FOX she had 3 musical/production numbers many with lavish sets and costumes and...in TECHNICOLOR!! However after the war,her novelty begain to wear thin with the public...with the "GOOD NEIGHBOR POLICY" with tropical/Brazilian themes over, Fox had less interest in promoting her in future films. Her contract had a few years to go so she did two B&W "B" type musicals for FOX. This one "DOLL FACE" has been beautifully restored, and after looking at all the bad prints that were in Public Domain this transfer is superb!...like a totally new film...more detail and so much 1940s Nostalgia. As in other of my reviews I'll not go into the story line. There are many good songs in this film which showcases VIVIAN BLAINE(she herself now reduced to B&W). PERRY COMO has some great songs...lots of beautiful showgirls as well. The one production number for Carmen and the only time she sings in this film is called "CHICO" a somewhat lavish production number(how great if it had been in COLOR!)with Carmen singing and dancing her heart out in a tropical setting. She put so much into this number that she fractured her ribs, also getting a splinter in her bare foot (no platforms here!)that became infected. There was to be two production numbers...the other "SHE'S ALWAYS TRUE TO THE NAVY" was unfortunately cut from the film. It must have been cut late in the pre-release as most all the advertising, lobby cards and photos shows Carmen in her risque costume with the lighthouse on her head. Trivia has stated that the reason it was cut was due to the song rights owned by PARAMOUNT and they would not allow FOX to use what was Carmen's most'campy'production number. However, another and more acceptable reason was with the censors that felt that Carmen's number was too 'risque' and showed the U.S. Navy in a poor light...also Carmen's mis-pronounciation of the word "GENTLE"...hilarious!!!! MAY HAVE ALSO CAUSED A PROBLEM, HOWEVER, I THINK IT WENT OVER THEIR HEADS! Check it out! Only from CARMEN! This 'lost' complete production number unearthed from the FOX vaults is fortunately inserted in the 'SPECIAL FEATURES' on this disc as are some wonderful production and portrait stills. The extras are worth the price of this disc...If your a CARMEN MIRANDA FAN...THIS IS A MUST!...4 stars only because it is in B&W...CARMEN IN B&W...no way! It is also part of the newly released 5-DVD set in the terrific new CARMEN MIRANDA COLLECTION.
2 of 3 found the following review helpful:
 There is a reason why so many movies end up forgotten. Doll Face is a good exampleJun 27, 2008
Doll Face proves the point that all old movies aren't classics. In fact, Doll Face proves the point that most movies, whether made 60 years ago, 30 years ago or last week, are deservedly forgotten because they age so badly.
This guy-has-doll, guy-loses-doll, guy-wins-doll-back story gives us Doll Face Carroll (Vivian Blaine), a burleyque star with a great voice and a big following among the bald-headed set, and Mike Hannegan (Dennis O'Keefe), her manager and the impresario of the burlesque house where she stars. Doll Face wants to go legit as a singer on Broadway and Mike wants to help her...but her notoriety as a burlesque queen gets in the way. So Mike cooks up an idea to have a noted author ghost Doll Face's memoirs and smooth over the rough spots. Doll Face will get culture and that will get her legit stage offers. Misunderstandings arise, or course, but all is resolved with a Broadway show starring Doll Face and all her pals from Mike's burlesque show, which means Perry Como, Carmen Miranda and Martha Stewart.
We get Como and Stewart singing and sort of dancing to "A-hubba, Hubba, Hubba," Blaine, Como and Stewart separately and in various combinations singing "Somebody's Walking in My Dreams," Como fronting the girls with "Red, Hot and Beautiful" and crooning "Here Comes Heaven Again," plus Carmen Miranda rolling her hips and eyes while trilling her r's through "Chico Chico," the big production number. Miranda is always Miranda, but in this black-and-white movie "Chico Chico" needs color and Busby Berkeley.
The strong parts of Doll Face, in my opinion, include a vivacious performance by Martha Stewart and a likeable performance, even with the Damon Runyon dialogue and clothes, by Dennis O'Keefe. Vivian Blaine, on the other hand, was an actress who I think you'll either like a lot or not be attracted to. For me, she's so polished and professional she never gets very close to my heart.
But let's hear it for the people who never get a mention; in this case, a bit player named Charles Williams. He was a small guy with a little mustache and an energetic manner. Did he ever get a credit line in any of the movies he appeared in? In Doll Face he has a tiny part as a drug store clerk reading a notice to Mike Hannegan. It's not much but he makes the most of it. For those with long memories or big DVD collections, you might remember him from Vogues of 1938. Williams plays a customs clerk in a big production number. We're watching him through a window where he works. For about two minutes he goes into a song and dance, not quite imitating Eddie Cantor. That's all the screen time he has. It's funny and first-rate, and he didn't get billing there, either.
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