Review of Du Barry Was a Lady (1943) by Kevin D — 17 Aug 2011

This is a lot better than everyone says! Nightclub hat check worker Louis (Skelton) is a guy having a dull life, until he wins sweepstakes that turn him instantly rich. To top it off, beautiful nightclub singer May (Ball) is willing to give up her relationship with a musician (Kelly) to be with him.

The real reason: money. Then, Louis accidentally drinks a spiked Mickey, and has a dream that he's King Louis and May is Madame Du Barry. While in the dream state, he learns a lot about himself and the others around him.

It seems like everyone reviewing this movie is brutal, saying "Du Barry Was a Lady" is bad or cheesy, and though this by any means is not the best movie musical ever made, nor is it even memorable, but there is still many reasons to like it! Red-heads Red Skelton and Lucille Ball are great here, and though Ball might not necessarily have a comedic role, it's really fun to see her before she was propelled to superstardom through TV.

Gene Kelly isn't to shabby here too, he had just made his debut a year earlier with Judy Garland in "For Me and My Gal", but he would not really achieve high-status until he made "Cover Girl" with Rita Hayworth.

Even though he doesn't have a big part in this movie, or have any good dance routines, he and Ball somehow pull off a good chemistry, causing him to come off as a pretty good actor (which was something I never thought he was).

If you are looking for terrific songs or dances, don't look here. But, if you're looking for over-the-top costume and set designs, look into this one. "Du Barry Was a Lady" is not a classic by any means, but does not deserve all of the negative reviews coming off of it.