Just One More Time

Many Hollywood stars are reconvening at the M-G-M Studio, the filming site for many of their most famous movies, to discuss M-G-M movie musical history for the film That's Entertainment! (1974). In 1972, M-G-M's worldwide production head Daniel Melnick assigned a team of editors, researchers and lab technicians to pour over the many musicals from the studio's vaults to compile this retrospective under the guidance of producer/director Jack Haley Jr.. They will not only need their technical expertise, but also their memories of what the great M-G-M musicals meant and mean to the public movie going audience. At the time when these movies were being made, M-G-M had more stars under contract than all of the other major Hollywood studios combined. The studio was not averse to taking risks, showcasing big name non-musical stars in musical numbers, or giving an unknown talent a break. It could take these risks because of the financial resources available. The lavishness of such musicals are unlikely to be ever seen again in future movie productions.