During the last few days, I've seen quite a few musicals. And, I am about to say something you may think is a bit crazy--I enjoyed the VERY formulaic "If I Had My Way" far more than some of the big-name musicals from MGM which were made a few years later. Even though "If I Had My Way" didn't have the hit songs and most of the cast consisted of second-string actors since the film was by a second-string studio at the time--Universal. That's because despite the lower budget, the film did one thing that many musicals forget--it made me smile.
The film begins with Bing Crosby's friend dying and the friend's daughter (Gloria Jean) being placed in his temporary custody. Bing then takes the child to her family, but her uncle (Allyn Joslyn) is a total butt-head and wants nothing to do with the kid--even if it is family and even though he's rich! Nice guy, huh?! Instead, he looks for the child's great-uncle (Charles Winninger) and the man is willing to help BUT he's poor. So, Bing, his DOPEY Scandinavian friend (Ed Brendel) and Winninger decide to try to care for the child together. But, this doesn't take care of how to pay for this...as well as the debt-laden restaurant the dopey friend buys. Can they somehow make a go of it...even with almost no resources and just a lot of good 'ol American spunk?! Enjoyable from start to finish, the songs are light and fun and the characters very enjoyable. The only problem in the film is a TINY bit where we see a famous minstrel act (Eddie Leonard)!! Uggh! My advice is to try to speed past this...or take a quick bathroom break during this dreadful and racist act.
Eddie Leonard and his minstrel act....UGGH!!!
The film begins with Bing Crosby's friend dying and the friend's daughter (Gloria Jean) being placed in his temporary custody. Bing then takes the child to her family, but her uncle (Allyn Joslyn) is a total butt-head and wants nothing to do with the kid--even if it is family and even though he's rich! Nice guy, huh?! Instead, he looks for the child's great-uncle (Charles Winninger) and the man is willing to help BUT he's poor. So, Bing, his DOPEY Scandinavian friend (Ed Brendel) and Winninger decide to try to care for the child together. But, this doesn't take care of how to pay for this...as well as the debt-laden restaurant the dopey friend buys. Can they somehow make a go of it...even with almost no resources and just a lot of good 'ol American spunk?! Enjoyable from start to finish, the songs are light and fun and the characters very enjoyable. The only problem in the film is a TINY bit where we see a famous minstrel act (Eddie Leonard)!! Uggh! My advice is to try to speed past this...or take a quick bathroom break during this dreadful and racist act.
Eddie Leonard and his minstrel act....UGGH!!!