Rhythm on the River (1940)

Popular songwriter Oliver Courtney has been getting by for years using one ghost writer for his music and another for his lyrics. When both writers meet at an inn, they fall in love and ... See full summary »

Director:

Victor Schertzinger

Writers:

Dwight Taylor, Jacques Théry (story),

Stars:

Bing Crosby, Mary Martin, Basil Rathbone

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bing Crosby	...	Bob Sommers
Mary Martin	...	Cherry Lane
Basil Rathbone	...	Oliver Courtney
Oscar Levant	...	Billy Starbuck
Oscar Shaw	...	Charlie Goodrich
Charley Grapewin	...	Uncle Caleb
Lillian Cornell	...	Millie Starling
William Frawley	...	Mr. Westlake
John Scott Trotter	...	Himself
Jeanne Cagney	...	Country cousin (as Jean Cagney)
Helen Bertram	...	Aunt Delia
Ken Carpenter	...	Teddy Gardner (announcer)
Charles Lane	...	Bernard Schwartz
Harry Barris	...	Bass Sax player

Storyline

Popular songwriter Oliver Courtney has been getting by for years using one ghost writer for his music and another for his lyrics. When both writers meet at an inn, they fall in love and then try to sell their songs under their own name. The problem is every song publisher thinks they're copying Courtney's style.

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Plot Keywords:

songwriter | songwriting

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Taglines:

Some singers! Some swingers! The hum-dinger of hum-dingers!

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Genres:

Musical | Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 September 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ajan sävel

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The picture that appears on the video box cover with Mary Martin playing the guitar does not appear in the final film.

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Soundtracks

"That's for Me"
(uncredited)
Music by James V. Monaco
Lyrics by Johnny Burke
Sung by Mary Martin
Also sung by Lillian Cornell

User Reviews

Bing Crosby & Mary Martin in a Pleasant Paramount Musical

"Rhythm on the River" is one of Bing Crosby's finest of his underrated Paramount musicals.

I discovered it last night, along with another Crosby musical vehicle called "We're Not Dressing" (1934). I never thought both would turn out to be this great. They are the kind of honest, feel-good musicals I'd enjoy and watch them over and over again.

Lightly directed by that underrated stylist Victor Schertzinger, "Rhythm on the River" is a pleasant, surprisingly genial little musical comedy about a gifted and unobserved pop composer Bob Sommers (Crosby) who happens to be in love with an equally gifted musician Cherry Lane (Mary Martin). Both are ghostwriters for a famous has-been composer Oliver Courtney (Basil Rathbone in a fine, delightful role) who uses Bob and Cherry's lyrics & songs for his own good. Oscar Levant has a good supporting role as Billy Starbuck, Oliver's closest friend, the one that inspires Bob and Cherry to write more lyrics and songs for his untalented buddy.

Mr. Crosby and Ms. Martin have awesome chemistry on screen. Their singing and charming camaraderie are wonderfully observed. I particularly adore Ms. Martin; I thought she was her very touching in her performance and kinda reminded me of Margaret Sullavan, with her sweet, humble innocence or dedication.

The memorable songs include "That's For Me", "Ain't It a Shame About Mame" (both sung by Martin), "What Would Shakespeare Have Said?", "Rhythm on the River" (both sung by Crosby), and the unforgettable "Only Forever" (sung by Martin and Crosby together).

"Rhythm on the River" is available on VHS/DVD, courtesy of MCA/Universal Home Video in good transfer and I recommend it to you.