Give a Girl A Break

Give a Girl A Break is a lively and charm-filled Hollywood musical from 1953 that showcases the talents of stars Marge Champion, Gower Champion, and Debbie Reynolds. Directed by Stanley Donen, the film shines a spotlight on the exuberance, optimism, and high-stakes drama found in the backstage world of American theater.

The film surrounds itself with a metatheatrical narrative, set against the backdrop of the theater business. At the heart of the film is composer Bob Baker (Gower Champion), whose Broadway show has just closed. Working alongside the director and his close friend, Leo Belney (Kurt Kasznar), they are desperate to find a new leading lady after their temperamental star, Janet Hallson (Helen Wood), spectacularly walks out during rehearsals for their upcoming production.

Enter our three titular girls, all very different, showing a variety of ways women navigated the world of backstage Broadway during the 1950s. First of the trio is Anthea (Marge Champion), a seasoned Broadway dancer, and Bob's ex-girlfriend - she's got talent, star quality, and a history with the man behind the music.

The other two ladies vying for the stage role are fresh-faced newcomers. There's literal girl-next-door Suzy Doolittle (Debbie Reynolds), a young, optimistic, and somewhat naive dancer dreaming of her big break. Last but not least, there's Joanna Moss (Helen Wood), an intense Method performer, very much indicative of the new type of acting style that was coming into vogue on Broadway stages in the 1950s.

As the trio competes for the same role, the stakes are high, and personal and professional lines blur. Each woman has something different to bring to the table, and both Bob and Leo have a tough choice to make. This serves as the main trope of the film - a familiar, yet entertaining, mad scramble to troubleshoot a disastrous situation in the theater world.

The rest of the film displays a series of musical numbers, choreographed by the renowned Jack Cole. Highlights include Marge Champion performing a balletic dream sequence and Debbie Reynolds delivering an energetic tap routine on a ferry boat. The soundtrack includes "Give a Girl a Break," "In Our United State," "It Happens Every Time," and "Nothing is Impossible," composed by Burton Lane with lyrics by Ira Gershwin.

This musical film blends mirth, music, and romance in equal measure, with the action taking place amongst the theatrical setting that adds another layer of allure. It provides an insightful, though somewhat rose-tinted, view of the trials and tribulations a Broadway production must overcome before its premiere.

Stanley Donen, well-known for his work on other influential musicals such as Singin' in the Rain, On the Town, and Funny Face, brings his signature style of humor, charm, and dazzling visuals to Give a Girl A Break. The standout performances of Marge Champion, Gower Champion, and Debbie Reynolds, each a star in their own right, add a sparkle to the film, and viewers get to see their talents in singing, dancing, and acting in full bloom. From its dramatic backstage showbiz scenes to the vibrant and memorable musical numbers, Give a Girl A Break presents a delightful representation of mid-century musical cinema.

While it's not as well-known as some of its musical contemporaries, Give a Girl A Break holds its own, standing as a lovingly crafted testament to the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals. Although it centers on a competition between the leading ladies, at its heart, it's a feel-good film that revels in the amusing and chaotic world of show business.

Despite the film's age, it remains a charming musical treat, with its genuinely enjoyable performance numbers, a light-hearted plot that’s filled with humor and tension in equal parts, and character dynamics that keep the viewers thoroughly engaged. Whether you're a fan of classic cinema, musicals, or the talents of the Champions and Debbie Reynolds, Give a Girl A Break is sure to leave you entertained.