WasAnnon Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

WillSushyMedia This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

Mandeep Tyson The acting in this movie is really good.

Scarlet The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

kevin olzak 1938's "Happy Landing" marked Darryl Zanuck's third serving of Sonja Henie on ice, Olympic skating champion-turned Hollywood sensation, her vehicles filled with light froth, musical numbers, and, of course, elaborate skating routines carefully choreographed by the star herself. Already quite wealthy, Sonja appeared to have more leeway with Zanuck so far as salary goes, but demands for dramatic material met with understandable resistance. At over 100 minutes it's just too much for one sitting, despite likable players such as Cesar Romero, Ethel Merman, and Don Ameche, who apparently despised Sonja as much as she hated him. Audiences didn't care about offscreen squabbles so long as they got to see plenty of skating, quite well done as expected, but the numbers leave much to be desired, Ethel Merman soon to abandon Hollywood for her first love, the stage. Among the unbilled newspaper reporters are Herold Goodwin, Robert Lowery, and Lon Chaney, the latter still struggling to make a name at Fox, essentially wasted in bits like this for two years and 30 films. Seen only at the 90 minute mark, Chaney gets a few inconsequential lines before rushing off to his next assignment, rarely credited on screen during this forgettable period (he'd already encountered Sonja Henie in her previous film, "Thin Ice," in an even more worthless reporter bit).

writers_reign The dodgy print may have had something to do with my lacklustre reaction to this piece of cheese. I've seen Sonja Henie in other Fox movies notably Sun Valley Serenade where she has 1) been surrounded by top-drawer actors, musicians and 2) benefited from an equally top-drawer score (in this case by Harry Warren and Mack Gordon) which have combined to set off her undoubted talents as an ice skater, albeit both limited and - after the first time - repetitive if not actually boring. This time around Fox stalwarts Don Ameche and Cesar Romero turn in their usual No 1 game but the mediocre score only highlights the lack of class/style on hand. Just about watchable.

mark.waltz Playboy song writer/orchestra leader Cesar Romero has pretty much had a girl in every port, and now he wants to add Norway to that list. This creates a pickle for his agent, Don Ameche, who has gotten him out if scrape after scrape after scrape. His latest was blackmailing Ethel Merman who had proof of that on a record, but a record must be complete to be admissible in court. In Norway, he makes pretty skater Sonja Henie think he's proposed, but Ameche makes other plans for him. That doesn't stop Henie from following back to New York where by chance, Ameche makes her a skating star while Romero returns to the opportunistic Merman.Fast moving screwball musical comedy has a few bits of dated shtick, including one with greasy spoon waiter/cook Billy Gilbert that is half smirks/half groans. Merman has a few jazzy numbers, and if course, Henie skates. El Brendel, one of the most annoying comics in film history, shows up briefly (thank you God!) for a barely acceptable novelty number. Merman's character gets a bit violent in a few moments that are supposed to be comical bit land with a thud. She struck gold the same year with "Alexander's Ragtime Band" but you can see why she returned to the stage. Best taken as an entertainment for its time and not much else.

Ron Oliver After making a HAPPY LANDING in Norway, a flying bandleader and his manager both find themselves fascinated by a lovely young figure skater.Sonja Henie was Norway's ice queen when she won Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932 & 1936. Quickly going professional, she began a celebrated movie career at 20th Century Fox in 1936 with ONE IN A MILLION, which was her American film debut. Beautiful & talented, as well as being a natural in front of the cameras, she carved out her niche during Hollywood's Golden Age. Although Henie's ice routines may look antiquated by comparison to modern champions, there was nothing antique about her dazzling smile or sparkling personality. In this regard, some of today's snowflake princesses could still learn a great deal from her.As her career progressed, it became increasingly difficult for Fox to find decent stories for Henie and the excuses for the lavish ice dancing numbers were often implausible. No matter. Audiences did not flock to her films to watch Sonja recite Shakespeare. The movies were meant to be pure escapist fantasy, plain & simple.HAPPY LANDING is no exception and its story is often quite silly - any film which relies on a striptease by comic Wally Vernon to supply a few chuckles seems a bit too eager to plunge into burlesque. However, the moments on the ice never bore and the co-stars are rather interesting.As the manager, Don Ameche is stolid & faintly dour throughout, as though he rather disapproved of the entire proceedings. More fun is raffish Cesar Romero as the zany bandleader, who gives his natural proclivity for frivolity full rein - especially when teamed with brassy singer Ethel Merman. And although her songs are rather lackluster, there is nothing shy or demure about the way Merman steamrollers her way through her scenes.Gentle Jean Hersholt usually provided an aura of quiet dignity to his films, but here, as Sonja's rather foolish papa, he does himself no favors. He must have been grateful to have been allowed to disappear from the film early on. Much funnier are Billy Gilbert as a diner owner desperate to serve pot roast, and dialect comedian El Brendel as an ice rink band conductor. In their single scenes each shows how to effortlessly steal the attention of the audience for a few moments.Movie mavens will recognize an uncredited Lon Chaney Jr. as a reporter near the end of the film.Ultimately, though, this is Sonja's show. She glides effortlessly into the viewer's heart, while balancing on a thin edge of silver suspended over frozen water.