WARNING: This film includes a musical number done in blackface. If that offends you, avoid this film or shut your eyes during this performance.
This musical romance is practically the only Hollywood film I know of(aside from "With a Song in my Heart) where the music is virtually non-stop from beginning to end, occasionally interrupted by segments of the drama, which is mainly about the growing relationship between performers Blossom Seeley(Betty Hutton),and Benny Fields(Ralph Meeker). This film was meant as a tribute to these two popular entertainers during their early careers, beginning with the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Betty sings solo or with Ralph for most of the songs, with Ralph getting the occasional solo. According to other reviewers, his singing was dubbed, perhaps also his piano playing?
For those put off by Betty's frequent mugging and "overacting" in many of her films, you can be assured that she keeps this to a minimum here, perhaps in deference to the singing style of Blossom.
Henry Slate and Sid Tomack represent a couple of performing partners of Benny when Blossom discovers him. They join Blossom's team for a short while, with their comical musical performances.
Jack Benny briefly appears, his main function being to announce the marriage of Blossom and Benny Fields. Later, these 2 get a "Good luck" telegram from Jack, sent COD. That's in keeping with Jack's public image of being extraordinarily stingy.
When Betty(Blossom) complains about Benny's periodic disappearing act because he wants to show he can make it on his own, confident Billie Bird quips that her problem with her husband was that he wouldn't run away.
Many of the songs were only briefly sung. However, the blackface production was rather lengthy...The film ends with Betty and Ralph singing the title song, previously composed by the Gershwins.
See it in color at YouTube.
This musical romance is practically the only Hollywood film I know of(aside from "With a Song in my Heart) where the music is virtually non-stop from beginning to end, occasionally interrupted by segments of the drama, which is mainly about the growing relationship between performers Blossom Seeley(Betty Hutton),and Benny Fields(Ralph Meeker). This film was meant as a tribute to these two popular entertainers during their early careers, beginning with the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Betty sings solo or with Ralph for most of the songs, with Ralph getting the occasional solo. According to other reviewers, his singing was dubbed, perhaps also his piano playing?
For those put off by Betty's frequent mugging and "overacting" in many of her films, you can be assured that she keeps this to a minimum here, perhaps in deference to the singing style of Blossom.
Henry Slate and Sid Tomack represent a couple of performing partners of Benny when Blossom discovers him. They join Blossom's team for a short while, with their comical musical performances.
Jack Benny briefly appears, his main function being to announce the marriage of Blossom and Benny Fields. Later, these 2 get a "Good luck" telegram from Jack, sent COD. That's in keeping with Jack's public image of being extraordinarily stingy.
When Betty(Blossom) complains about Benny's periodic disappearing act because he wants to show he can make it on his own, confident Billie Bird quips that her problem with her husband was that he wouldn't run away.
Many of the songs were only briefly sung. However, the blackface production was rather lengthy...The film ends with Betty and Ralph singing the title song, previously composed by the Gershwins.
See it in color at YouTube.