The Gang's All Here

Due to a schedule conflict, a talk by UW Madison professor Kathryn Sanchez related to her recently published book Creating Carmen Miranda has been moved from December 14 to December 7 at 6 p.m., prior to a screening of Carmen Miranda in Down Argentine Way.

press release:  7 p.m.: THE GANG’S ALL HERE

USA | 1943 | 35mm | 103 min.

Director: Busby Berkeley; Cast: Alice Faye, Carmen Miranda, Benny Goodman

In one of the most dazzling of '40s Technicolor musicals, a benefit show with a variety of performers serves as the setting for the nominal romance between a USO volunteer (Faye) and a soldier. Berkeley’s eye-popping choreography reached its zenith with Miranda’s “Lady in the Tutti-Frutti Hat” number and the indescribable “Polka Dot” finale, showcased here in a superb 35mm print from the Fox archives.

In December, we salute one of Hollywood cinema’s most dynamic and colorful performers, the Brazilian bombshell Carmen Miranda. Our tribute consists of two screenings of Miranda classics shown on restored 35mm prints from the archives of 20th Century Fox. In Hollywood’s first vehicle for Miranda, Down Argentine Way, she plays a version of herself who serves as support for the romance between Don Ameche and Betty Grable. Then, Miranda’s “Lady in the Tutti Frutti Hat” is just one of the show-stopping numbers in Busby Berkeley’s eye-popping Technicolor treat The Gang’s All Here. Plus, a special talk on Carmen Miranda from UW Madison Professor Kathryn Sanchez, author of “Creating Carmen Miranda: Race, Camp, and Transnational Stardom.”

All Cinematheque screenings are free and open to the public.