Three Little Words

1950
U
1h 42m

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

2.1K

YOUR RATING

Fred Astaire, Arlene Dahl, Red Skelton, and Vera-Ellen in Three Little Words (1950)

Play trailer3:40

1 Video

40 Photos

Romantic Comedy Biography Comedy Musical Romance

The story of the successful Tin Pan Alley songwriting team of Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby is told loosely and lightheartedly.The story of the successful Tin Pan Alley songwriting team of Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby is told loosely and lightheartedly.The story of the successful Tin Pan Alley songwriting team of Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby is told loosely and lightheartedly.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.9/10

2.1K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 3 wins & 3 nominations total

Top cast81

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Fred Astaire

Bert Kalmar

Vera-Ellen

Jessie Brown Kalmar

Red Skelton

Harry Ruby

Arlene Dahl

Eileen Percy

Keenan Wynn

Charlie Kope

Gale Robbins

Terry Lordel

Gloria DeHaven

Mrs. Carter De Haven
(as Gloria De Haven)

Phil Regan

Phil Regan

Harry Shannon

Clanahan

Debbie Reynolds

Helen Kane

Paul Harvey

Al Masters

Carleton Carpenter

Dan Healy

George Metkovich

Al Schacht

Harry Mendoza

The Great Mendoza
(as The Great Mendoza)

Jean Adcock

Woman
(uncredited)

Richard Allan

Chorus Boy
(uncredited)

William Bailey

Man in Audience
(uncredited)

Harry Barris

Pianist at Party
(uncredited)

Director
- Richard Thorpe
Writer
- George Wells
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

User reviews45

Featured review

9/10

A nice three words

This is what MGM did best. Musicals. Ah, they were all so wonderful, and THREE LITTLE WORDS in one of them. A nice, quiet muscial with great songs and dance numbers. Don't know how much of this is real biographical, but it's well done and interesting. Nice work from Astaire and Skelton as Kilmer and Ruby. The leading ladies are quite wonderful with Arlene Dahl at her dreamiest, though she doesn't have much to work with here. Because of story implications, Astaire doesn't dance after the first half, but until then he's sensational as always with Vera Ellen doing some fine hoofing as well. This was Debbie Reynolds 3rd film, having a bit in JUNE BRIDE and a small roll in DAUGHTER OF ROSIE O'GRADY. No Decalogue here and her voice is dubbed, but she makes an impression. For a nice, cozy evening, cuddle up with this DVD version of THREE LITTLE WORDS.

ryancm
May 6, 2006
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Videos1

Trailer 3:40

Official Trailer

Photos40

+ 33

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby were friends of Fred Astaire from their early days together in vaudeville. Astaire said the film was one of his all-time favorites.

Goofs
The stills of the The Marx Brothers (three rather than four) outside the opening of Animal Crackers (Broadway, 1928) is actually from The Big Store (1941).

Quotes
Bert Kalmar: I wouldn't write that song with you if you begged me.
Harry Ruby: Begged ya? I didn't even ask ya.
Bert Kalmar: I guess you just can't help it, Harry. I feel sorry for you.
Harry Ruby: Feel sorry for me? You must think I'm just a...
Bert Kalmar: I could tell you what I think of you in just three little words. You're a dope!