Music In My Heart

Columbia Pictures, 1940
Starring Tony Martin, Rita Hayworth, Edith Fellows, and Alan Mowbray
Directed by Joseph Santley
Music and Lyrics by Bob Wright and Chet Forrest

Before they really figured out what to do with her, Rita Hayworth was one of the busiest actresses at Columbia. She made five movies in 1940 alone, including this one. How does this B-movie about a singer who stays with a young woman and her family to avoid being deported look today? Let's start with a disappointed Patricia O'Malley (Hayworth) in a cab and find out...

The Story: Patricia shares her cab with Robert Gregory (Martin), a singer on the run from the authorities. Seems his parents never applied for citizenship and they want to deport him. Patrica's hoping to meet Charles Spencer Gardner III, a rich man she wants to marry. Thanks to a cab accident, they both miss the boat. Patricia invites Robert to stay with her family, to the delight of her younger sister Mary (Fellows). Mary thinks Patricia and Robert are perfect for each other and is determined to play matchmaker. She proves to be right, as Patricia and Robert fall for each other and become engaged. Robert, however, has had an offer for a Broadway show, and Charles and his butler Griggs (Eric Blore) aren't as gone as she thought. Griggs brings a paper that claims Robert's married, which pushes Patricia back into Charles' arms, even as Robert gets a shot at radio stardom.

The Song and Dance: A sweet little B movie with decent performances and some nice music. Hayworth does well enough as the young woman who thinks she knows what she wants, and Fellows steals the show as her sister who knows better. The real focus, though, is on Martin, who does as well as he can with the odd deportation story. Blore provides a few good gags as the fussy butler who will do anything to make his employer happy.

Favorite Number: "It's a Blue World" was nominated for an Oscar, and Martin gives it the right sell. He also gets the romantic duet "No Other Love" with Julietta Novis in the opening operetta number and performs the 1890's standard "A Bird In a Gilded Cage" in a charming little routine with Fellows. Hayworth gets a brief dance routine in the kitchen a little later.

What I Don't Like: First of all, with immigration again in the news, the deportation story seems almost quaint nowadays. They never do say why his parents didn't get their citizenship or what country he's fleeing from. Second, I really wish it was longer. Hayworth has little to do besides switch between beaus and do a few songs.

The Big Finale: There are worse ways to pass an hour if you're a fan of Hayworth or Martin.

Home Media: Currently only on DVD as a solo film and part of that Musical 20 Movies set from Mill Creek Entertainment.

DVD
DVD - Musical 20 Movies Collection