It's Always Fair Weather (1955). Photofest.
(Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly, US 1955, 101 min., 35mm)
A bittersweet look back and a satirical postwar commentary, Donen and Kelly’s musical goodbye to MGM was conceived as a loose sequel to On the Town. Three ex-GIs, Ted Riley (Gene Kelly), Doug Hallerton (Dan Dailey), and Angie Valentine (Michael Kidd) have served in World War II together and become best friends. In October 1945, they meet at their favorite New York bar, Tim’s Bar and Grill, to celebrate their upcoming release from service. However, barman Tim is dubious about their vows of eternal friendship—having heard similar claims made by many other servicemen—and wagers them they will forget about each other. The trio protest that they will be different and promise to reunite exactly ten years later at the same spot, tearing a dollar bill in three parts and writing the date of October 11, 1955, on each piece. Years after the war, however, the three men take entirely different paths, putting their friendship on the line.
Post-screening discussion with Michael Lasser.