DAMN YANKEES

This is not a musical I was familiar with, and to be frank it is pretty disposable mid-50s fare, lacking as it does memorable songs and featuring a half-baked Faustian tale that combines the Devil and baseball. 

The only reason for me watching it is that it features the main performance on film of the great Broadway star, Gwen Verdon, who went on after this film to become the wife and creative partner of Bob Fosse, who was the choreographer of this musical.

Accordingly my interest was focused on three of the musical numbers.

The first of these is 'Whatever Lola Wants' which is a showcase for Ms Verdon.  I confess to being somewhat underwhelmed and bemused by it.  Her performance is a weird mix of comedic and seductive elements.  The latter were toned down for the film which may have contributed to me not finding it at all sexy.

The second is a number 'Who's Got The Pain?' performed by Verdon and Fosse.  Apparently they put it together in a couple of hours when a last-minute decision was made to ditch another number, so inevitably it's a bit lightweight, but enjoyable enough.

The third is 'Two Lost Souls' which is set in a nightclub and features Ms Verdon and the dance company.  It is the only routine in the film that is unmistakably Fosse, and was the only time the film sparked into life.

So unless you're a Fosse-Verdon completist like me there's no need to sit through this.  Instead why not treat yourself to any of the better musicals from this period such as 'Singin' in the Rain', 'Oklahoma', 'Guys and Dolls', 'Annie Get Your Gun' or 'Kiss Me Kate'?

RATING: x Find Something Better To Do