Starring Bing Crosby, Mary Martin, Basil Rathbone, and Oscar Levant
Directed by Victor Schertzinger
Music by James V. Monaco and Victor Schertzinger; Lyrics by Johnny Burke
We move from a western ranch to an upstate New York inn for our next Crosby vehicle. By this point, Crosby was one of the top box office draws in the world. His movies were among Paramount's biggest money-makers, and his concert tours sold out everywhere. He even had his own variety show on the radio, Kraft Music Hall. Martin, then just beginning her career as one of the most popular stars on the Broadway stage, was a frequent performer on Kraft Music Hall. How well do they work together in this story of a composer and lyricist who discover they have a lot more in common than they previously believed? Let's begin at a swank party honoring songwriter Oliver Courtney (Rathbone) and find out...
The Story: Despite everyone praising his work on a big Broadway show, Courtney is really a fraud. He hasn't written a song in years. He hires songwriters to do the work for him, including laid-back composer Bob Sommers (Bing Crosby). After his lyricist dies, he convinces Cherry Lane (Martin) to take over. Annoyed with the band that moved to the room next to hers, she goes to find somewhere quiet to work. She's not happy at first that she keeps running into Bob everywhere, including the old inn she ends up taking a room at.
Turns out the inn belongs to his uncle and he's there for the same reason, to work on new songs. The duo discover they have a lot in common, including being songwriters. They go back to LA, only to learn that they both work for Courtney, and he's not about to let his walking moneybags go. They try to sell their own music, but everyone thinks their songs are Courtney's.
Bob brings together the band that had made such a racket next-door to Cherry as a way to promote their music. They audition for a big nightclub, but the manager Mr. Westlake (William Frawley) is only interested in Cherry. Bob insists that she sing for him...but all she really wants is Bob and for them to be recognized for the talented songwriters they are.
The Song and Dance: Martin and Bing are definitely the thing here. They play off each other surprisingly well as the songwriters who don't know they're helping the same man. This is also a rare and enjoyable comedy performance from Rathbone, who usually plays villains in dramas and swashbucklers. Here he's also a villain, but one who ultimately learns his lesson. Levant gets his usual digs as Courtney's best friend and voice of reason Billy Starbuck, and crusty William Goodwin has fun as Bob's woman-and-work-hating uncle.
Favorite Number: We open with "What Would Shakespeare Have Said," a comedy number that Bob originally sings when he brings it to Courtney for his show. It's then performed by the show's leading lady Millie Starling (Lillian Cornell), during the party. Cherry initially sings the jaunty "That's for Me" for Courtney at his apartment, accompanied by Starbuck. She's shocked when Bob performs it for her at the inn, believing he stole it.
The band joins Bob for "Tiger Rag" to show what they can do. "Ain't It a Shame About Mame" is her comedy number with the band later, when they're trying to write their own material. Bing sings "When the Moon Comes Over Madison Square" for producers, but they think they're imitating Courtney. "I Don't Want to Cry Anymore" is Cherry's heartbroken ballad when she's singing with the band, but would rather be writing.
The hit here was the ballad "Only Forever." Bob initially sings it for Cherry at the inn as they discuss their music. It's reprised as a duet in the finale, when Courtney reveals who really wrote his songs.
Trivia: "Only Forever" was originally intended for If I Had My Way, but was cut from that film.
What I Don't Like: First of all, while Martin and Crosby work well enough together, she could be given more to do than sing a few numbers and pine over him later at the club. I don't think Paramount ever really figured out what to do with her. Though the plot is slightly more interesting than Rhythm on the Range, it's still pretty goofy. It lacks Range's more colorful supporting cast and genuine location shooting. Other than "Only Forever," the songs aren't all that interesting, either. It's also not for those who like their musicals big and bold; Bing jamming with the band on "Tiger Rag" is big as it gets.
The Big Finale: If you love Crosby or Martin, or are looking for a smaller-scale romance from the 40's, jump on the catfish boat and enjoy this jaunt down river.
Home Media: Same deal as Rhythm on the Range. DVD only from the Universal Vault, as a double feature with Range, and as part of a larger Crosby collection.
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