Search - Hello Frisco Hello on DVD

Faye Wows Them in San Francisco

William Hare | Seattle, Washington | 01/21/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

""It's fifty cent hack ride down to the bottom of Nob Hill but it takes a million dollars to get back up."Such are the memorable words of John Payne, musical performer and production impressario, in "Hello, Frisco Hello." Payne's musical review with romantic interest Alice Faye along with Jack Oakie and June Havoc achieves success along San Francisco's Barbary Coast. The ambitious Payne, however, has much more in mind. He wants to become a major player in the ritzy Nob Hill scene. Faye has the common sense to know that Payne is getting in over his head, but is powerless to stop him when he meets society matron Lynn Bari. She has a social name and standing but is currently broke while Payne believes she is his key to cracking the big time so they unite.Alice Faye impresses moviegoers because of her inner sincerity as well as her unswerving loyalty. When Payne ultimately strikes out with Bari, who tells him bluntly, "I never said I loved you," Alice, after a successful performing run in London, sneaks money to drunken visionary Laird Cregar, who had previously panhandled Payne, convincing him that the money is no more than a loan, and that he will eventually strike it rich by finding gold. Payne, immensely prideful, accordingly believes that his own gold earnings are bankrolling his shows, not the fiercely loyal Alice. Eventually Cregar reveals the truth by accident when he has had too much to drink..."

Faye knocks 'em for six on the Barbary Coast

Tom McGee | Glasgow, Scotland | 04/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hollywood legend Alice Faye was at the peak of her career when she made this costume musical drama. She is knockout in all her numbers, particularly so in the title song, and "Doin' the Grizzly Bear."In this one, she is reunited with one of her favourite co-stars, the darkly-handsome John Payne, and the comedy relief comes from old timer Jack Oakie, and June Havoc, who was the character Baby June in the musical "Gypsy" - the sister of the famed Gypsy Rose Lee, who walked out on Mama Rose while a teenager to find fame in Hollywood! A tuneful musical, beautifully photographed in Technicolor. Miss Faye never looked lovelier."

Is Alice Faye Way Under-Rated today?

S. Henkels | Devon, Pa United States | 05/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think so! Such song and dance ladies as Garland,Rogers,Hayworth are all much better known today for some reason. I admit this may be my first Faye movie ever, and I practically never heard of her until I read her obituary a few years back. (She lived well into her 90's)..Anyone watching this one must admit that Alice stands right alongside the top ladies mentioned, and then some! Just about perfect in this role of a lovelorn vauville performer in turn of the 19th century San Fran. The tune "You'll Never Know" is about perfect, not to mention many others, including a high flying Dutch Roller Skate number that is right up there with Olympic material! So check this out ASAP. Also ,it's in 1943 technicolor..This one has great acting, dancing, singing,stage sets, a whirlwind tour thru Europe, and about anything else you can expect in a great musical. The story line may be corny and old hat, but that may be true for about any movie musical!"

One Of Faye's Best

William Hare | 02/03/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Not just for her signature performance of "You'll Never Know," but for the overall good spirits atmosphere as contributed by supporting stars Jack Oakie and June Havoc. The "Grizzly Bear" number has a particularly beguiling Faye in ragtime era splendor. A warmly melodious musical."