Held for release for several years by MGM, this mediocre comedy has nothing to recommend really other than Elizabeth Taylor as a New Haven dance teacher who, determined to keep scandal from exploding after being spotted kissing talent agent Larry Parks, falsely announces their engagement. This leads to continuous misunderstandings, yet really creates no interesting plot. Other than character actors like Kathleen Freeman, Josephine Hutchinson and Ann Doran, there's little else, as Taylor and Parks (then in the middle of being involved unfortunately in the Hollywood blacklist) share no chemistry, she being a teen when this was made, albeit a very womanly one.Such a plot couldn't be done with the sex reversed, so the plot is in really poor taste. The moppets who are part of Taylor's dance class try too hard to be cute, so the result is mainly cloying in supposedly farcial dance recital sequences. A surprise cameo by Gene Kelly as himself in one scene comes out of left field, more a publicity stunt for MGM rather than necessary. Having been on the shelf for several years already, MGM might have done better to have kept it there in the wake of Taylor's superstardom.

A romantic comedy about how the fear of marriage was nearly enough to scare a guy (Larry Parks), a New York talent agent, away from the young and very good-looking Elizabeth Taylor. It portrays a wholesome family background set in suburban Connecticut, with Taylor living with her parents and the owner and number one dance instructor of a school which trains dozens of local children. Stanley Donen used the kids to good effect in several dance scenes, the best of which is the finale production the school puts on for the town, with Taylor standing in the middle of a long line of four to six year-olds. Her attraction to Parks' character forms the crux of the plot, bringing him to Connecticut and seeing his character as a savvy New York pro mingling with the small towners, a bit reminiscent of the story in The Music Man, where, after being subjected enough to the simple life, a cynical guy and committed bachelor finally gives in.

Larry Parks is a fast-talking, streetwise agent who falls for a Connecticut dance teacher against his will in "Love is Better Than Ever," directed by Stanley Donen. Parks and Taylor have a whirlwind romance in New York while she's there attending a dance teacher convention. She falls in love, only to learn at the end of their week together that he's only interested in a good time. Heartbroken, she returns to Connecticut, where her father helps her hatch a plot that will bring him running to New Haven and into her arms.This is a very slight comedy, but Taylor is exquisitely beautiful and in excellent shape. It's no wonder that cynical Larry Parks can't forget her, though he claims that he wants to. In one scene, they stand and talk in profile for several minutes, and all one can think about is how perfect Taylor's profile is. Larry Parks is another story - a very strange choice for a leading man. Had he not been blacklisted, it's likely he would have gone on to character roles fairly quickly. For a studio that boasted the likes of Clark Gable and Robert Taylor, it's curious that he was cast in leads. He is, however, a very good actor, though it's hard to see why Taylor would have been attracted to him. Sadly, he only made two films after this one.There are some nice dance sequences with the children, including some dancing fruits. "Love is Better Than Ever" has some nice moments and a dazzling 20-year-old Taylor, and that's about it.

there is really very little to recommend. The young Taylor is beautiful, but Larry Parks in the lead it totally unbelievable. Perhaps the fact he looks like a clone of Regis Philbin doesn't help. How could Taylor's character fall for this guy?? And, what is Gene Kelly doing in this flick? It is just a cameo, but I don't see the point.Supporting performances are fine, and there is a limited amount of location filming.I'm not sure why Taylor agreed to this MGM B movie - perhaps due to contract obligations. Probably my least favorite Taylor film from the 50s/60s.