RHAPSODY IN BLUE
US, 1945,139 minutes, Black and white.
Robert Alda, Joan Leslie, Alexis Smith, Charles Coburn, Julie Bishop, Albert Basserman, Oscar Levant, Rosemary de Camp, Morris Carnovsky, Al Jolson, Paul Whiteman, George White.
Directed by Irving Rapper.
Rhapsody in Blue is a pleasing biography tribute to George Gershwin. Robert Alda in his film debut plays the composer quite genially. There is a good supporting performance by Herbert Rudley as Ira Gershwin. The piano work is contributed by Oscar Levant who plays himself, and Ray Turner. Many of Gershwin's popular songs are featured: Swanee, ‘Swonderful, Somebody Loves Me, The Man 1 Love, Embraceable You, Lady Be Good, I Got Rhythm, Love Walked In, I'll Build A Stairway To Paradise, Someone To Watch Over Me, Bidin' My Time as well as songs from Porgy and Bess, music from An American In Paris and the title composition, Rhapsody In Blue.
Direction is by Irving Rapper who made many films at Warner Bros. during the '40s including several Bette Davis vehicles. Alexis Smith was in a number of biographies at the time e.g. The Adventures of Mark Twain and the Cole Porter biography, Night And Day. Joan Leslie has the central role and has the opportunity to sing and dance. Al Jolson, Paul Whiteman, George White appear as themselves. There is the usual sentimental background of such
biographies of the time. However, the film gives some insight into Gershwin's New York background, his driving ambition and the success of his career as well as his innovations in popular and serious American music. His music has featured in many musicals and was used to striking effect by Woody Allen in Manhattan.
1. The reputation of George Gershwin in his time, later? His place in musical comedy, the composition of popular songs? His contribution to serious American music in bringing American themes, the blues, the negro music into concertos and rhapsodies? His brother Ira and his role in writing the lyrics and the composition of songs with the Gershwin signature? The musicals made with Gershwin music, the use of his music?
2. The tradition of Hollywood biopics: facts, fiction, sentiment, romance? The sketch of the life story, family, background? Struggles? Emotional clashes? Drive, motivation? Success and failure? How well were these incorporated into the screenplay? To give a picture of Gershwin, a tribute to him, an understanding of him as a person and composer?
3. The black and white photography, the world of the theatre, concerts? The presentation of the music, the songs, stage presentation, incorporation into the plot? The concerts? The music incorporated as part of the score?
4. Robert Alda's interpretation, his playing the piano? The stars and their contribution? Al Jolson, Paul Whiteman, George White appearing as themselves and their contribution to Gershwin's career? Oscar Levant and his playing, sardonic comments, friendship? The portrayal of the grief at Gershwin's death with Levant recording the Rhapsody In Blue?
5. Gershwin and his music - American traditions, his work as an accompanist, the musical comedy of the time, sheet music and records, his desire for writing serious music, the need for study, the blues and their incorporation into classical American music?
6. The New York background, the Gershwin boys and their growing up, the musical training, the practical background of the family, Papa Gershwin and his changing jobs? Mama Gershwin and her influence? The moulding of the characters, the pride in the career of George, Papa Gershwin and his timing the contributions? Ira and the bond with George? Their mutual support? George and his compositions and the development of Ira as a lyricist? The sentiment of the family sequences?
7. Gershwin's early work - on the streets, in the shop, accompanying singers and the sequence with Julie Adams and his sacking? His pushing his own music? His writing, his hopes?
8. Success and the influence of Max Dreyfuss? Dreyfuss and his ear for popular successes, Jolson and his liking of Swanee? Julie and her singing of Gershwin's songs, the shows - and the reviews? George White and his Scandals and giving Gershwin opportunity. The popular songs and their success?
9. The Professor and Gershwin's loyalty to him, the need for lessons, the serious strain in his music, the desire for more study and European experience? The support of Paul Whiteman - the Monday Blues and the lead in to Rhapsody In Blue and the concerto? Popular acclaim and its significance? The sentiment with the Professor's listening and his death? The continued development of Gershwin's serious music - with Cuban Rhythm , Porgy and Bess?
10. The influence of the Professor, George's going to Europe? The encounter with Rachmaninoff, Ravel and the composers of the day? His being influence by his European background and training? The nightclub and the singing of his song in French? Christine and her interest, her help, the relationship? The contrast of the sophisticated international traveller with Julie and her background of the stage?
11. The melodramatics of his return - the party, Julie and her looking forward to George's return, his bringing Christine and the surprise, Christine and her being edged out? Her artwork? Julie and her singing and being hurt? Christine and her judgment about what was best for George's career, the sequence in his room and her leaving? Julie's reaction? Julie and her successful career, her inability to break through George's hurry?
12. The Cuban work, the concerto, the tours, the visit to California?
13. George's illness, the cumulative effect of his drive? His anxiety, the phone call to Julie and the invitation for her to come? His early death? The friendship with Oscar Levant, the using of Levant's playing the Rhapsody to highlight the poignancy of Gershwin's early death?
14. A life, its significance? Relationships? Career? An appropriate tribute to one of America's best composers?
