That's Entertainment (1974)

100% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
80% of users liked it
(5,079 ratings)

It's ironic that MGM, in such dire financial straits in 1974 that it was selling its fabled back lot and auctioning off artifacts from past movie triumphs, enjoyed one of its biggest box-office hits with That's Entertainment, a compilation of musical highlights from the studio's golden days.… More It's ironic that MGM, in such dire financial straits in 1974 that it was selling its fabled back lot and auctioning off artifacts from past movie triumphs, enjoyed one of its biggest box-office hits with That's Entertainment, a compilation of musical highlights from the studio's golden days. Onscreen hosts Fred Astaire, Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly, Peter Lawford, Liza Minnelli, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Mickey Rooney, James Stewart, and Elizabeth Taylor introduce the various film clips while standing on what was left of the MGM lot (Rooney delivers his comments from the Andy Hardy street). The vignettes, in both color and black-and-white, include generous slices of such classic MGM songfests as The Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis, An American in Paris, Singin' in the Rain, and Gigi. The film includes the montage of Mickey Rooney's "Let's put on a show!" speeches, Clark Gable hoofing to "Puttin' on the Ritz" in Idiot's Delight, and James Stewart (!) serenading Eleanor Powell from Easy to Love. Assembled by Jack Haley Jr., That's Entertainment proved such a hit that the 1976 sequel, That's Entertainment II, was a foregone conclusion. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: G, 2 hr. 12 min.
Directed By: Jack Haley Jr., Bing Crosby
Written By: Jack Haley
Genres: Documentary, Television, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1974 Wide
On DVD: Oct 12, 2004
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
'Boy, do we need it now' was catchphrase when this MGM musical salute was first released--and it stands even more today.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
You'll find plenty of glorious entertainment in That's Entertainment. (HD DVD Edition)
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...great singing and dancing, among the greatest ever put on film.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Pleasingly sentimental.
Douglas Pratt, Movie City News
The film has in essence fertilized itself. It popularized its subject so well that it has become a legitimate part of the library it was promoting.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Like no other industry, Hollywood has the unique ability to celebrate itself
Matt Brunson, Creative Loafing
The cinematic equivalent of a sustained two-hour orgasm, That's Entertainment! is pure pleasure from first frame to last.
Matt Bailey, Not Coming to a Theater Near You
That's Entertainment! cannot and is not a substitute for seeing the musicals themselves, in their entirety.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
It's good, but contrary to the onscreen evidence, MGM did not make all the best musicals.

Read all 9 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This is a fantastic compilation of musical and comedy numbers from movies of the 40s and 50s, with all the big stars from the era as well. I bet if I watched it now I'd know which numbers came from which movies.
Jennifer X

Sometimes all you need is a bunch of old film clips and a handful of aging stars to create a masterpiece. This was truly the Golden Age of Hollywood. I NEED to own this collection, immediately.
Brian R

You talk about a great musical compilation film? This one is definetly it. It is one of the best's films I have ever seen. Audiences will never look at musicals the same way again. There is so much history and so much that went behind the old studio days at MGM and ultimatley… More
You talk about a great musical compilation film? This one is definetly it. It is one of the best's films I have ever seen. Audiences will never look at musicals the same way again. There is so much history and so much that went behind the old studio days at MGM and ultimatley MGM's downfall. My fav scenes without a doubt goes to Esther Williams in "Million Dollar Mermaid" and Fred Astaire in "Royal Wedding". Terrific stuff.
Anthony V

Fun.