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Athena

1954, Movie, NR, 95 mins

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Astrology and health food fanaticism, surprising topics for a 1950s musical, form the backdrop for this offbeat entry starring Jane Powell and Debbie Reynolds as Athena and Minerva, two of seven sisters raised by their radical vegetarian grandfather (Louis Calhern) and star-gazing grandmother (Evelyn Varden). In the romance department, Minerva works her charms successfully on singer Johnny Nyle (Vic Damone), while Athena has a tougher time with Adam Calhorn Shaw (Edmund Purdom), a stuffy Boston attorney who already has a sweetheart (Linda Christian). Although Reynolds and Christian sparkle, a dull script, duller direction, and undistinguished songs prevent this one from ever taking flight. Powell and Reynolds render separate versions of "Love Can Change the Stars," Powell delivers "Chacun Le Sait," and Damone, in a big, pompous production number, sings "Venezia." He does much better with "The Girl Next Door" and, with Reynolds, "Imagine." Other songs include "I Never Felt Better" and "Vocalize" (all by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane). leave a comment
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