The Long, Long Trailer (1953)

User Rating:

6.8/10   

Director:

Vincente Minnelli

Writers:

Clinton Twiss (novel)
Albert Hackett (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

18 February 1954 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

America's No. 1 Favorites Funnier than Ever on the Screen!

Plot:

Nicky and Tacy are going to be married. Nicky wants to save up money for a house, but Tacy dreams of...

Plot Keywords:

Honeymoon | Trailer Park | Aunt | New Inlaws | Newlywed

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Lucille Ball	...	Tacy Bolton - Collini
Desi Arnaz	...	Nicholas 'Nicky' Collini
Marjorie Main	...	Mrs. Hittaway
Keenan Wynn	...	Policeman
Gladys Hurlbut	...	Mrs. Bolton
Moroni Olsen	...	Mr. Tewitt
Bert Freed	...	Foreman
Madge Blake	...	Aunt Anastacia
Walter Baldwin	...	Uncle Edgar
Oliver Blake	...	Mr. Ludlow
Perry Sheehan	...	Bridesmaid

Runtime:

103 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Anscocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Certification:

Finland:S

Filming Locations:

Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA

Company:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Trivia:

In the original cut of the film, the "Breezin' Along with Breeze" musical number had an entirely different backing track orchestration. However, director Vincente Minnelli did not approve of the final cut, and removed the music from the sequence, leaving only the original vocal overdubs, in which he then ordered an entirely new orchestral number, and mixed the vocals within the scene. The original recording, however, was thought to be lost forever, until recently resurrected from the MGM vaults and compiled onto a love songs CD by Rhino Music.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: As the 53 New Moon trailer begins the climb up the mountain, the crew is reflected in the side of the trailer as it passes by.

Quotes:

Nicholas Collini: Been married long?
Park Keeper: About 31 years.
Nicholas Collini: Have many fights?
Park Keeper: Nope.
Nicholas Collini: Then take my advice: don't buy a trailer.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Brain That Wouldn't Die (#6.13)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

Breezin' Along With the Breeze

Marriage On The Rocks

"The Long, Long Trailer" is a thoroughly enjoyable "vehicle" for a nostalgic trip back to the talents of Desi and Lucy. Desi, eager to please, gives in to Lucy, as she dreams of, and schemes for, a life on wheels, only to find that soaring dreams can come crashing down to reality faster than rocks crashing down a mountainside. The result for the viewer is back and forth laughs and empathy.

The comedy centers on Desi and Lucy. But secondary characters are funny too. Marjorie Main is terrific as the too helpful mother hen. And the overly enthusiastic trailer brakes man is a hoot. "Trailer brakes first, trailer brakes first. These are your trailer blinker lights ... There's your trailer stop light. Now put your blinker lights on. Left. Right. Trailer brakes. Car brakes. Lights. Left. Right. Trailer brakes. Car brakes. OK, let's go". Funny stuff.

The film is mostly comedy, of course. But it also has tension. In the mountain scenes, cinematography and sound override script. Here, the visual perspective of depth and distance combine with sounds of falling rocks and screeching brakes to create a sense of apprehension. Truly, Director Vincente Minnelli knew how to make effective films.

Unlike the trailer, the film is somewhat lightweight. But there are times when you don't want to watch a movie with a ponderous plot or heavy-duty message with "meaning". Lucy and Desi's talent was comedy, not Shakespeare. "The Long, Long Trailer", fluff that it is, is good fluff. It is funny (dramatic too), absorbing, and cinematically well made. And with a breezy musical score, what more could you want?