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Parents' Guide to

Easter Parade

By Scott G. Mignola, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 6+

Charming love story plus great song and dance.

Movie NR 1948 104 minutes
Easter Parade Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 6+

Based on 2 parent reviews

txMom2018
txMom2018 Parent of 7 and 9-year-old
April 10, 2023
age 8+

Hard to follow for kids with romance, drinking and smoking.

Common sense media missed a lot of things above, including all of the romance, smoking cigarettes, drinking, and adult content. It’s not necessarily a bad movie and the singing and dancing parts are great. However, there is a large part of the film where there is no dancing or singing and it’s all about a confusing (for kids) romance with a love triangle. There are also multiple scenes where the men are smoking cigarettes, and they’re drinking or in a bar watching and commenting on other women. Also the way that the men treat women is pretty disrespectful but the movie was made in the 40s. Overall I can see why it’s a classic with the stars, etc but I wouldn’t say that it’s great for kids. My 9.5 year old and 7 year old were bored with it and couldn’t follow the story line.
Karen K
Karen K Parent of 4 and 6-year-old
January 12, 2011
age 4+

Absolutely lovely, captivating.

See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

After Don Hewes (Fred Astaire) loses his partner (Ann Miller) to the lure of a solo career, the renowned dancer spots pretty chorus line member Hannah (Judy Garland) and vows to mold her into Nadine's equal within a year -- in time for the big Fifth Avenue Easter Parade. Hannah needs work, so they work, but their act just doesn't fly. When Don stops trying to force his ex-partner's style on Hannah and allows her to be herself, the two finally form a true creative partnership. Things get complicated when Don's friend Johnny (Peter Lawford) falls in love with Hannah, because Hannah's in love with Don, and Don, it seems, is still carrying a flame for Nadine. But this is no tragic opera, it's an MGM musical. Things are bound to work out in the end.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (1 ):

Loaded with great Irving Berlin songs, this 1948 spectacular will grab children with its wholesome, uncomplicated story. It will also mesmerize adults with its pairing of superstar talents in their sole screen appearance together. "The Happiest Musical Ever Made," EASTER PARADE's promotional trailer declares, and director Charles Walters appears to have put in plenty of overtime trying to live up to that grand promise. He gives us Oscar-winning musical scoring, inventive choreography, and plenty of Irving Berlin songs.

But what really makes this movie sing and dance is the once-in-a-lifetime pairing of Fred Astaire and Judy Garland. Whether cane-twirling to "Steppin' Out with My Baby" or reeling through a toy store pounding on every drum in sight, Astaire is mesmerizing. Beside him, Judy Garland is absolutely radiant -- and that's not just the Technicolor. For family entertainment, this is a hard one to beat. It's spirited, easily digestible, and fun. Don't worry about that sticky love situation; it resolves without much fuss, and all in time for the big Easter Parade.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about formulaic storylines. Does this movie follow the typical boy-meets-girl blueprint? Were there any unexpected plot twists?

Movie Details

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