Whimsical and colorful, a fantasy in which Terpsichore (Hayworth), the Greek muse of song and dance, comes to earth and lands a part in a play directed by Larry Park, pretending to be a chorine named Kitty Pendleton. She insists that the play be "artistic." Parks lets her have her way. The play is a dud in Philadelphia, so it's back to the original song-and-dance music in New York and tremendous success.I see no special reason to make this comment long or analytical. The movie is an attempt, not very original in execution, to imitate the success of the play and its film adaptation, "Here Comes Mister Jordan." There are multiple allusions to the earlier film.Rita Hayworth is at least as beautiful as she's ever been elsewhere. The rest of the cast is at least adequate.But there's nothing worth remembering about the movie except the colorful sets and the energy that drives the performances. It's a musical but the songs, by George Duning, are instantly forgettable, both in their tunes and lyrics. Nobody gets credit for the choreography, which may be just as well. A lot of élan that goes nowhere. It's not the fault of the dancers. Rita Hayworth was pretty good with Fred Astaire. And Marc Platt, as the second male lead, is shown to good advantage as one of the brothers in "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers". He's the one with the russet Van Dyke beard. But all this physical display seems pointless and unfocused here in the context of such unimaginative melodies and such formulaic devices as showing us that Larry Parks, not Marc Platt, is going to end up with the girl because Parks plays a major in the Air Force while Platt is only a captain.It's a constant surprise to see how heavily most musicals depend on their songs. Sometimes the libretto is itself worth attention, as with some of Comden and Greene, but more often the movie sinks or swims on its tunes. Not even three fine hoofers -- Gene Kelly, Michael Kidd, and Dan Dailey -- could save "It's Always Fair Weather." Kelly, by the way, would have at least brought some charm to this story. Parks is charmless.

I rate this movie a "7" only because Rita Hayworth is gorgeous in every scene; period. Every song in this musical is instantly forgettable, but Rita shines in every number. Her co-star is Larry Parks from "The Jolson Story" movie. A musical sequel to "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" shot in Technicolor! James Gleason and Edward Everett Horton reprise their roles but "Mr.Jordan" is played by someone else in a great silver wig! In most musicals, the storyline is dumb and the songs are great; reverse that here. Kind of a curio, as this exact-same "Muse comes down to Earth" premise was used in "Xanadu". (Olivia-Newton-John plays the same Muse with her name changed so people can pronounce it.) Cute movie. Bad musical.

"Down to Earth" is a charming musical that showcases Rita Hayworth and her many talents to distinction. In this sequel of the classic "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" (1941), she plays the Greek muse Terpsichore (who could be a more natural choice for a goddess than Rita Hayworth?) who is infuriated that a jazzy, satirical stage musical based on the muses is being produced in New York City. She demands from Mr. Jordan (played by Roland Culver) to be sent down to earth to play her part under the guise of "helping" producer Danny Miller (played by Larry Parks). Her introduction to him is in a scrumptious sequence in which she sneaks into the chorus and completely upstages the star with a great dance routine, proving again Hayworth's singular talent of taking charge of the screen.Danny is initially excited that "Kitty Pendleton" will play the lead but then she becomes a nightmare, demanding script rewrites, and changes in costume and set design (prompting a memorable quip from James Gleason as her agent: "I think she musta went to college. You know how that'll ruin anybody.") . However, she seduces Danny, making him warm up to her ideas, changing the basic premise to one worshipping Terpsichore. The result is disastrous, a bizarre and self-important turkey that draws the ire of the audience and critics. The cast and crew unceremoniously dump Kitty and revert to the original. Mr. Jordan reveals to her just what Danny has riding in this show: a pact with a gangster in which he will relieve his debt of $20,000 (about $200,000 in 2010) with either a successful show of his life. Humbled, she goes back to Danny, begging to come back to the show, promising that she'll do it his way. He accepts, the show is necessarily a smash, and Kitty finally reveals her love to Danny. However, Mr. Jordan reappears, telling her that since her original mission of helping Danny is completed, she must come back Up. Once again a goddess and heartbroken, she yearns to know what will become of Danny. Mr. Jordan reveals to her what happened: Danny remained in love with "Kitty" and became a successful producer. When he dies and is waiting to board the aircraft, Future Terpsichore appears and he immediately understands; she boards the plane with him and it flies off. Present Terpsichore rejoices and the movie ends with a lovely shot of her dancing happily toward the camera.I believe some of the criticism of the film is unfair. Contrary to other opinions, the score (mostly presented as songs in the show) is surely serviceable and has two strong ballads: "Let's Stay Young Forever" and "They Can't Convince Me," sung admirably by Parks. Certainly, the movie is decidedly less profound and moving than the original film or its 1978 remake "Heaven Can Wait." Ironically, the movie is much better (though much lesser-known) than its infamous remake "Xanadu" (1980). Fluffy and silly, "Down to Earth" works well not really because of its musical numbers, but its wonderful mix of rollicking humor (amply supplied by James Gleason and Edward Everett Horton, who reprise their roles from the original film) and a sweet romance, good pacing, and the great talent of Rita Hayworth. Though she showcased herself well in acclaimed dramatic performances in "Gilda" (1946), "The Lady From Shanghai" (1947), and "Miss Sadie Thompson" (1954), she displays here a great comedic talent, able to transmit both righteous anger and pettiness.Fans of Rita, fantasies, and Classical-era musicals will enjoy this most dazzling concoction.

There were many beautiful women during Hollywood's golden years, but only a small percentage would qualify as goddesses. Rita Hayworth was definitely one of that elite group, possibly never more stunningly beautiful as she appeared in "Down To Earth." As Terpsichore, goddess of music and dance, she comes to earth to star -- and correct -- a Broadway show about Terpsichore. Several characters from "Here Comes Mr. Jordan" appear, with Roland Culver taking the Claude Rains' role of Mr. Jordan. Larry Parks plays the producer-director-star, Danny Miller, who has to pay off a gambling debt with this show or die.Though the music isn't that memorable, the story is charming, and the film contains a lovely performance and great dancing by Hayworth (whose voice is dubbed by Anita Ellis), and she's given excellent support by James Gleason, Culver, and Edward Everett Horton.Larry Parks, fresh from his star-making role in "The Jolson Story" does a good job but one wonders, had he not been blacklisted, what would have happened to his career. He wasn't a particularly strong leading man. But we'll never know, because a few years later, he was finished.As for Hayworth, it's a shame that someone so incredibly beautiful and vivacious, who brought so much happiness through her work, could have had such a miserable life - abuse by her father, a string of bad marriages, and finally Alzheimer's. It was her Alzheimer's that helped to bring the disease to national attention. Princess Yasmin Khan, Hayworth's daughter, has become an internationally known spokeswoman and active fund-raiser to increase awareness and finance research to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease. Besides her glorious presence, Rita had one more gift for the world.