On the Town Notes

Robbins and Bernstein collaboration
Dramatising real life - dock worker
Fast gesture - typical of Kelly

Camera is stationary and the actors move around it, using framing Astaire introduced
Kelly and Dean Stockwell have same dynamic as Cosmo and him

Mixes film and theatre with the description of Ivy Smith, and then showing it theatrically again, also matches with the plain background, as if on a stage
Camera zooms up on facial expressions to encourage comedy

Heavy use of gesture throughout, especially for the scientist woman





Combines theatre with film again showing 'A Day in the Life of New York' in theatre, comedy, fourth wall break?
Red behind Ivy Smith in theatre again shows love, music quiet and low key to focus on movement and their relationship
Use of set with bars atypical, allows use of levels while not lifting to show that they're coming together

Classic use of props with Kelly dancing with poster - mixing comedy (his staple) with romance

In theatrical bit where Kelly misses Smith, fast springing shows panic, contrasted with instant slowness from being forlorn


Return to start scene heightlights the short time

Music
Piano behind scientist speech shows comedy
Singing conversations - Sinatra and taxi driver subtle music keeps up pace
As long takes as possible, often only cutting to zoom out after a close upp
Musicality in Prehistoric Joe dance - drum as well as tap and voice and instruments - trumpet
Music only used for musical numbers?
While describing the Miss Turnstiles the music matches his words
Music is fast paced and high to match their positive disposition

Colour
In police chase red of taxi is highlighted along with red of police motorbikes - red is danger and romance, connoting the danger or heartbreak of it
Ivy Smith wearing red for reuniting solidifies connotation
Club dancers also dressed in warm colours
High contrast colour against drab concrete
Taxi driver's flat has a red then after flat, Ivy Smith wears red, connoting that every pairing has turned romantic
The scientist woman wears red on the empire state
Women shown via greens and yellows, contrasting with white of the men

Cinematography
Spotlights on Kelly and Ivy Smith to draw specific attention
On the Town song uses symmetry
Lighting is standard throughout
In Club Dixieland they also wear red, possibly suggesting  an increase in their relationship status
Third club also has red dancers - Shanghai




Movement Content 

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