It is almost a shame that they had to have a
plot in this film. I would have been happy just watching them perform the
26 Irving Berlin songs. Ya, 26 and there were three more that didn't make
the final cut. This in a 106-minute film. Most of them are performed by either
Alice Faye or Ethel Merman. Two very different styles. Faye is almost a torch
singer, sucking every bit of emotion out of a song, while Merman approaches
a song like a pinata. Both are great here. Faye had basically been Fox's
only musical star through the 30's until Betty Grable came along. Merman
was always more of a theater star than a film one, but great to see her get
some good songs here. A few Berlin classics in the mix - the title song,
How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning (my theme song), Blue Skies, Cheek to
Cheek, Easter Parade and Heat Wave.
But there is a plot. A smaltzy romantic
melodrama of crossed wires. It only works because of Alice Faye looking miserable
like her dog was run over. She was a terrific singer and fine actress; enormously
popular at the time but sort of has become lost in the haze of time. This
was a big hit and one of Fox's biggest sellers in the 30s. I should mention
that Tyrone Power and Don Ameche probably brought in a few of those tickets.
I tend to hate love triangles, in particular when two male friends fall for
the same woman. So many films like that and they suck. I feel animosity towards
both men. Can't you find a woman your friend is not in love with?
That's the plot here but it's as genteel
a love triangle as a feathered bed. Power forms a band with Ameche as the
piano player and composer. Faye becomes the singer and just as Ameche is
about to tell her he loves her, Power makes the move on her and is welcomed
with big fat kisses. Ameche goes, what's for breakfast. The perfect gentleman.
But this romance zigs when it should zag. Love don't come easy. But of course
it comes. I really enjoyed the music and Faye could move a truck with those
sad puppy eyes.
