"Walking My Baby Back Home" is the title of a popular song that gave its name to a musical made in 1953. Above is the title sequence of the movie, and the first musical piece, the equally popular "Glow Little Glow Worm". The story is about a musical band looking for an identity, and finally finding it by rediscovering to Dixieland Jazz. Probably not the most famous one of musicals, and not with an overly complicated plot, but what is important, with a number of good musical tracks. In the main roles are Donald O'Connor, probably most well known for his role in "Singin' in the Rain", and Janet Leigh, most remembered after her meeting a terrible end under the shower in Hitchcock's "Psycho". On a personal note, I think O'Connor should have been given more opportunity to show his talent... and it is on this note that I have mainly selected scenes in which he performs, although Janet Leigh is also charming at places, and it was through her that I learned about this musical in the first place. I guess I am not the only one, who after seeing her in the Columbo episode "Forgotten Lady", wanted to learn more about the musical so emblematic for her character, who kills her husband to revive her career.
If some of the choreography in the first video reminds me a bit of Michael Jackson, than the second video of Donald O'Connor's step performance somehow suggests Michale Flatley, not as if there was any more direct link between these performers that I know of. In any case, this step sequence should join some scenes from "Singin' in the Rain", in my personal list of favorite moments with him. Last but not least, a comical scene, where O'Connor's character has to suffer an opera lesson given by a "more" than enthusiastic matron of the genre... For those who want more, the whole musical can be found here.
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