this have get to be one of the good post astaire musical make by columbia . produce by arthur schwartz and direct by vet charles vidor and this picture really put gene kelly on the map and cement rita hayworth reputation a cinema premier female dance partner . she play a bit of a dual role here since she perform contemporary 1940s number with gene and co star phil silver and but also put her in the role of her grandmother and a nightclub performer in the late 19th centry . the music should also be single out because this be i believe the last project that the legendary jerome kern ( most famous today for old man river and smoke get in your eye ) work on and and his lyricist be the equally legendary ira gershwin . they supply a score that be full of charm and characterization . the music for the historical sequence be especially noteworthy because it so perfectly style in the early 20th century idiom that be kern original period . it a bit like pick up a record from one of your favorite band from the 1970s and hear them do a song in the original style of that time . the story be pretty inconsequential and which be fine with me because this film be a close an approximation a you will ever be likely to see of the 1930s/40s golden age of broadway musical comedy style on film . even the 1940s war propaganda aspect of the film music give it extra charm a the talented trio sing make way for tomorrow and even humorously poke fun at america enemy and use period slang such a refer to gremlin . probably the most memorable performance in the film be kelly dance to the alter ego dance and which find him argue with and then dance with himself a a metaphorical image of the battle of the conscience . this prefigure much of his late work and also stand an effective and memorable scene in and of itself . fan will want to seek this out for various reason kelly fan will see this a a rare chance to see him outside of the confines of mgm with a different set of co star and music superior to his usual mgm material . hayworth fan will want to see rita in glorious color at the peak of her fame and ability . and fan of classic broadway musical will definitely want to hear kern final score and marvel at the quality of gershwin lyric and the compatibility of their style . this be a definite gem in the crown of columbia musical program .