MGM weren't known for their swashbucklers - they were more a "woman's studio", or contemporary tough stuff - but when they did enter the genre sometimes the results were gold. Since they didn't have any real obvious action stars under contract (Clark Gable was getting a bit old), they improvised and tried Gene Kelly as d'Artagnan.
It actually works very well - he's very American (as is most of the cast) but he has energy, idealism and athleticism. From that first brilliant duel sequence, where is meant to fight the musketeers but becomes friends fighting overs, I was a convert: he clambers over tree branches, leaps around, laughs. He's really good - and you wish he'd made another one in his career. (MGM had him and Stewart Granger but they kept using Robert Taylor).
June Allyson again is too American but again her persona suits Constance, all virginal, nice, pretty and brave. You could say the same for Lana Turner (whose performance has copped it in some sections, but I think she's fine - totally stunning, too) and Keenan Wynn. Gig Young and Robert Coote don't do much with two of the musketeer roles but Van Heflin is very good, all boozy torment and doom. Vincent Price snarls his way through Richilieu with ease, but John Sutton is perhaps over prissy as Buckingham.
Beautiful MGM colour and production values and plenty of action (including a Kelly sword fight along the beach near the surf - a homage to Captain Blood?). The crucial kicker, the segue of the story from bright, colourful fun to more serious tone, is done very well. Constance's death is very moving. Director George Sidney should be very proud - he showed it wasn't a fluke with Scaramouche.
Watching this, I was reminded why Dumas story has remained so popular over the years. Yes, there's the obvious stuff - glamour, action, romance, with some memorable characters (d'Artagnan, Milady, Athos, Richelieu) and lots of story.
But I think the heart of it is so much of the story strikes an emotional chord. People relate to d'Artagnan who arrives in a new city trying to make it, only to stuff up and get in three fights - but then wind up with three great mates. Or how he loves beautiful pure Constance - but can't resist sexy Milady (its the old Archie comics Betty vs Veronica). Or how Athos torments himself over his past. Romance, lust, friendship - this has it all, which is why it will be remade from here til kingdom come. This version of it isn't for everyone's tastes but I really liked it.
MGM weren't known for their swashbucklers - they were more a "woman's studio", or contemporary tough stuff - but when they did enter the genre sometimes the results were gold. Since they didn't have any real obvious action stars under contract (Clark Gable was getting a bit old), they improvised and tried Gene Kelly as d'Artagnan. 
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