MR MUSIC
US, 1950, 110 minutes, Black and white.
Bing Crosby, Nancy Olsen, Charles Coburn, Ruth Hussey, Robert Stack, Tom Ewell, Richard Haydn, Groucho Marx, Marge and Gower Champion, Peggy Lee, Dorothy Kirsten.
Directed by Richard Haydn.
Mr Music is an easy going Bing Crosby vehicle of 1950. After his popularity as a crooner in the 30s and his moving into acting, more seriously, in the 40s (Oscar 1944 for Going My Way), Crosby was able to combine acting and singing in light entertainment vehicles. Films at this time include Riding High, Here Comes The Groom, Just For You.
Nancy Olsen was a reliable contract actress at Paramount at this time and appeared with many of the leading stars. Charles Coburn was always engaging and jovial on screen. Ida Moore gives one of her frequently amusing tipsy performances and there are guest spots from Peggy Lee, Groucho Marx and opera singer Dorothy Kirsten. The film was directed by actor Richard Haydn who appears as the eccentric benefactor for the musical (a variation on his performance as the busybody in Sitting Pretty). A sprightly Robert Stack appears as the athletic hero. Nothing particularly new, the light touch given to a reworking of Accent on Youth (which was to be remade later in the 50s as But Not For Me with Clark Gable, Carol Baker and Lilli Palmer).
1. Engaging Bing Crosby vehicle? Light dramatic comedy? The music? 50s Style?
2. Black and white Photography, the world of the university, of New York, of Broadway? The Musical numbers and their style of the times? Staging and choreography and the dancing of Marge and Gower Champion?
3. The title, Bing Crosby, the musical that his character was composing? A remake of Accent on Youth?
4. Bing Crosby's screen style and presence? As Paul Merrick, lazy, playing golf, not writing music? Alex's anger with him? Attempts to persuade him to work? Going back to the Alma Mater, the welcome for Jeff? Meeting Kate and her speeches? The performance of his numbers and the ironic tribute to Jeff in the middle? His return to New York? Alex's shrewdness, hiring Kate as a secretary, binding Paul with a contract? Paul's reluctance, antagonism towards Kate? Her strict control of him, signing the cheques? His meeting Lorna and dining out with her, the proposal? The discussions with Kate, getting lyrics, toying with songs? His trying to escape her clutches? the golf game and his butler and Kate preventing him winning the bet? His creditors after him? Alex and his disappointment? The writing of the songs and the effect of Kate on him? His meeting Aunt Amy and their discussions? Jeff and his turning up, taking Kate out? Paul acting as a benevolent father figure? The prospect of the musical, the backers pulling out? Aunt Amy’s friend and his giving $300? The performance for the possible benefactors ~ and Dorothy Kirsten, Grouch Marx? Aunt Amy's friend coming up with all the money? The happy ending, Lorna and her engagement ring ~ giving it to Kate? Jeff being free of Kate? The happy romantic ending? The age difference and the screenplays comments on it?
5. Alex, the old Broadway producer, friendship with Paul, cantankerous with him because of his laziness? The idea of the contract, the supervision? Kate reporting to him? The prospects of the money, the pullout? Aunt Amy's friend, the benefit? Gaining the money and the show going on? His summing up of the happy Broadway career?
6. Kate, serious, at the University? Her control, speeches. persuading Paul to sing? Accepting the job, taking it seriously, her supervising Paul's life? Staying in his apartment with Aunt Amy? Falling in love, reasoning herself out of it? Her attention to him. the golf game, the lyrics, the music? Unable to sleep and listening to him? Aunt Amy and confiding in her? Jeff's visit, high hopes, his not being interested in her? Wanting time off? The success of the performance, getting the money? Lorna and the breaking off of the engagement, giving her the ring ? and the happy ending?
7. Jeff, the welcome home, the college hero? His continually doing exercises? Coming to New York, taking Kate out, the unsuccessful evening? Being in training? His lack of success, blaming Paul? Breaking free of Kate, his success and one armed push ups at the end?
8. Lorna, her glamour, in love with Paul? Wanting to marry money, the engagement, the clashes? Her return to Paul's apartment, the proposal? The buying of the ring? Her change of heart? Giving Kate the ring?
9. Aunty Amy, the chaperone, the ironic touches about her marriage, giving advice, Paul thinking she was in love with him? Being tipsy? Her friend and urging him to give the money? The eccentric friend, his not giving anything away in his pinched expression? Listening to the music, $300? Giving the whole sum?
10. Guest spots from Peggy Lee singing with Bing Crosby, Groucho Marx and Dorothy Kirsten also doing duets? 11. The popular entertainment of 1950?
