Matialth Good concept, poorly executed.

LouHomey From my favorite movies..

Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Staci Frederick Blistering performances.

scooteratw Fine performances from Rita and all the other leads, but oh wow, is the music bad! I love musicals, but watching sequences like the closing number from the show "People Have More Fun Than Anyone" is actually painful. I was struck by how unmoved I was by any of the melodies--and the lyrics are easily forgotten or remarkable only in how awkward they are when sung.One thing I often notice when watching studio musicals that are set on Broadway is how absurd the sense of scale is when they show performances on a stage. I can grant exceptions for how they completely throw out the idea of people entering from theatrical wings, but the stage is bigger than ENORMOUS, and the sense of perspective is completely ridiculous--. I know, it's a film and I should suspend disbelief, but it makes me chuckle when they start shooting numbers from 6 different angles and there's no visible audience or sides to the stage. And then, magically, there are horses on the stage--for no reason.Fun costumes, and some fine performances, but there's a good reason why this film isn't remembered--all of the elements just don't add up.

Nozz There is a lot wrong with this movie, but none of it is Rita Hayworth. She plays the part of a goddess briefly visiting earth and not exactly fitting in, which indeed she was. In this movie she comes from a heaven which strangely is managed as both the place of the human afterlife and the abode of the Greek gods. Trailing after her is Edward Everett Horton, providing comic relief, but at a certain point he drops out as the movie becomes more serious and unsettling. There are songs, and they sound all right but nothing is catchy about them. There are dances, and people complaining about the dances, and you can't quite tell whether you're being ribbed for enjoying the dances or ribbed for not enjoying them. Rita Hayworth never gets a romantic dance with a partner, although Marc Platt-- as the friend becoming alienated from the male lead-- gets a few moments to show off his own energetic moves as he and Hayworth, being part of a threesome, dance to a song about how happy they are that is set in a gloomily deserted twilight playground. And how could they be happy? Everyone in the story is angry, jealous, fearful, or violent, and there is no place on earth for love. The movie is dated 1947 and for no obvious reason, men are shown more than once in military uniform. Perhaps the confusion, the uncomfortable jostling of the earthly and the otherworldly, and the threat to the solidarity of the male buddies have something to do with the atmosphere of war's end.

MrDungerreyMoat "Down to Earth" is a charming musical that showcases Rita Hayworth and her many talents to distinction. In this sequel of the classic "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" (1941), she plays the Greek muse Terpsichore (who could be a more natural choice for a goddess than Rita Hayworth?) who is infuriated that a jazzy, satirical stage musical based on the muses is being produced in New York City. She demands from Mr. Jordan (played by Roland Culver) to be sent down to earth to play her part under the guise of "helping" producer Danny Miller (played by Larry Parks). Her introduction to him is in a scrumptious sequence in which she sneaks into the chorus and completely upstages the star with a great dance routine, proving again Hayworth's singular talent of taking charge of the screen.Danny is initially excited that "Kitty Pendleton" will play the lead but then she becomes a nightmare, demanding script rewrites, and changes in costume and set design (prompting a memorable quip from James Gleason as her agent: "I think she musta went to college. You know how that'll ruin anybody.") . However, she seduces Danny, making him warm up to her ideas, changing the basic premise to one worshipping Terpsichore. The result is disastrous, a bizarre and self-important turkey that draws the ire of the audience and critics. The cast and crew unceremoniously dump Kitty and revert to the original. Mr. Jordan reveals to her just what Danny has riding in this show: a pact with a gangster in which he will relieve his debt of $20,000 (about $200,000 in 2010) with either a successful show of his life. Humbled, she goes back to Danny, begging to come back to the show, promising that she'll do it his way. He accepts, the show is necessarily a smash, and Kitty finally reveals her love to Danny. However, Mr. Jordan reappears, telling her that since her original mission of helping Danny is completed, she must come back Up. Once again a goddess and heartbroken, she yearns to know what will become of Danny. Mr. Jordan reveals to her what happened: Danny remained in love with "Kitty" and became a successful producer. When he dies and is waiting to board the aircraft, Future Terpsichore appears and he immediately understands; she boards the plane with him and it flies off. Present Terpsichore rejoices and the movie ends with a lovely shot of her dancing happily toward the camera.I believe some of the criticism of the film is unfair. Contrary to other opinions, the score (mostly presented as songs in the show) is surely serviceable and has two strong ballads: "Let's Stay Young Forever" and "They Can't Convince Me," sung admirably by Parks. Certainly, the movie is decidedly less profound and moving than the original film or its 1978 remake "Heaven Can Wait." Ironically, the movie is much better (though much lesser-known) than its infamous remake "Xanadu" (1980). Fluffy and silly, "Down to Earth" works well not really because of its musical numbers, but its wonderful mix of rollicking humor (amply supplied by James Gleason and Edward Everett Horton, who reprise their roles from the original film) and a sweet romance, good pacing, and the great talent of Rita Hayworth. Though she showcased herself well in acclaimed dramatic performances in "Gilda" (1946), "The Lady From Shanghai" (1947), and "Miss Sadie Thompson" (1954), she displays here a great comedic talent, able to transmit both righteous anger and pettiness.Fans of Rita, fantasies, and Classical-era musicals will enjoy this most dazzling concoction.

ccthemovieman-1 It looks like everyone agrees on this film. It's all about the glamor girl of the '40s: Rita Hayworth. As a movie, this isn't the best. There is nice Technicolor to this film and certainly no complaints from this male looking at Hayworth playing "Terpsichore," a Greek goddess. Rita looked like she was having a lot of fun making the film. I hope she was because I am fan of her's...but that doesn't mean I have to like all of her films. Most people agree, critics alike, this movie was just a vehicle to show off Hayworth's looks and dancing talent. However, I don't think the dancing came off that well, either. I preferred her dancing earlier in the decade in a couple of Fred Astaire movies. Rita was really something in those movies - a fabulous dancer.This was the musical version of the 1941 hit film, "Hear Comes Mr. Jordan" That was a far, far better movie than this one. The songs are insipid (and Rita's voice is dubbed by Anita Ellis) and the story even worse. This pretty-looking fluff was good escapism for audiences back in 1947, still recovering from the long, horrific World War II. Today, however, this doesn't translate well. At least it wound up being an inspiration for somebody as it spurned the 1980 musical ,"Xanadu," starring Olivia Newton-John.