 |
| Deanna Durbin and some spectacular scenery |
When Caroline (Deanna Durbin), a senator's daughter, learns that he disapproves of the man she loves and hopes to marry -- the opportunistic Lt. Robert Latham (David Bruce) -- she runs off into the wild west after him. Along the way she runs into some colorful characters, as well as a new romantic interest in the form of Lawlor (Robert Paige). Can't Help Singing has some pleasant tunes by composer Jerome Kern (especially the title tune), and Durbin and Paige [Fired Wife] make a very good team. Durbin, whose voice seemed to get even better as she got older, also became a bit double-chinned and puffy, but was still attractive. The handsome production boasts beautiful photography [Elwood Bredell and W. Howard Greene], and some good performances from the leads, along with Ray Collins [Hideout] as Durbin's father; Akim Tamiroff (out west!) and Olin Howlin/Howland as two likable scoundrels; Bruce as the lieutenant; and Jay Novello [Atlantis, the Lost Continent] as a "sucker."
Verdict: One of the better Deanna Durbin musicals. ***.
2 comments:
Never even heard of this one, though I like Jerome Kern. Looks like a beautiful production, though. Not a great fan of Durbin, but she did have a lovely singing voice.
-C
No, Durbin has never really quite grown on me, either, although I agree that her voice is wonderful.
Post a Comment