Mention the words "bubbly" and "new year" in the same sentence and our minds will immediately conjure up champagne. But, following yesterday's cinematic thread, the bubbles we have in mind for today come from "Beauty", the final number (directed by Vincente Minnelli) of "Ziegfeld Follies" (costumes by Helen Rose, Tony Duquette and Irene).
Originally this segment was filmed as a balletic finale with tenor James Melton singing and Fred Astaire, Cyd Charisse, and Lucille Bremer dancing among soap bubbles. Then the bubble machine malfunctioned and the formula flowed into the hallways of the soundstage, so the number was restaged and the Astaire and Bremer part of this number was cut out, while Kathryn Grayson replaced Melton. Segments of the "bubble dance" with Charisse remained, though, and they were placed right before the shots featuring dancers in golden gowns in a sort of Daliesque set. Bubble foam may be less luxurious than champagne, but here it looks joyously festive and fun. Have a Bubbly New Year!
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