CAN-CAN

SYNOPSIS: The owner of a Paris nightclub – that stages the illegal Can-Can dance – is forced to woo a local law enforcement official in order to keep her establishment open. Her boyfriend's jealous, yet noncommital attitude throws more than a few kinks into the works.

BOTTOM LINE: A film with oodles of potential – Sinatra, MacLaine, Paris – that's about as romantic and entrancing as watching paint dry. The songs pluck at the heartstrings and the dancing excites the soul, but the plot is a one-note bore. Simone (MacLaine) runs a night club where the famous, but illegal dance, the can-can, is performed. Her flouting of the law to please her customers gets her and her dancers in a whole heap of trouble with a local, uptight judge, played by Jourdan. Lucky for the ladies, they have a wonderful lawyer Francois (Sinatra) and a few friends in high places. Simone is in love with Francois who returns the favor, but refuses to ruin their relationship by marrying her. The judge falls desperately in love with her and offers Simone her heart's desire – a respectable life. Torn between two lovers and acting like a fool, Simone must decide whether she's willing to risk spinsterhood while waiting for Francois to come around. The lovely lyrics of Cole Porter spice up the soundtrack, making everything deliciously dreamy. What falls short are the obvious antics of Sinatra as the wedlock-challenged charmer. He's played this role before and done better at it – except for the singing. Ditto for MacLaine's dance hall girl. A mediocre musical with enough energy to be mildly entertaining, but not memorable.