Rhythm on the River
Directed by Victor Schertzinger
Written by Billy Wilder, Jacques Therý and Dwight Taylor
USA/1940
Paramount Pictures
First viewing/Bing Crosby Collection DVD
[box] Bob Sommers: Oh, I don’t know. She’s gone into some kind of wing-ding…
Uncle Caleb: Wing-ding? Gosh, I thought it was a cyclone. [reference to actor Charlie Grapewin’s role in “The Wizard of Oz”][/box]
What a cast! I’m glad I discovered this unsung musical.
Broadway composer Oliver Courtney (Basil Rathbone) has run out of inspiration and has taken to employing ghost writers for his songs. He’s been working with laid-back composer Bob Sommers (Bing Crosby) for some time. But Bob is not interested in a permanent job; he would rather save his pennies to buy a catamaran and bum his way around the world. When Courtney’s usual lyricist dies, he hires Cherry Lane (Mary Martin) to write the words. Bob and Cherry are at first unaware of each other, assuming that Courtney is supplying the other half of their song. They accidentally meet at the inn Bob’s uncle (Charlie Grapewin) owns and misunderstandings and romance follow. With Oscar Levant as Courtney’s long-suffering assistant.
I was thrilled to see Mary Martin in an early role. For me she will always be the definitive Peter Pan. It was also fun to see Rathbone playing comedy and Oscar Levant minus some of his usual shtick. Something entertaining and different for musical lovers.
James V. Monaco and Johnny Burke were nominated for an Oscar for their Original Song “Only Forever”.
Clip – Mary Martin singing “Ain’t It a Shame About Mame”
