Can't Help Singing (1944)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Frank Ryan

Writers:

Lewis R. Foster (writer)
John D. Klorer (story)

Release Date:

29 December 1944 (USA)

Genre:

Musical | Western

Tagline:

THE THRILL YOUR EYES WILL PRIZE FOREVER! (original print ad - all caps)

Plot:

A senator's daughter (who can't help singing) follows her boyfriend West in the days of the California gold rush.

Plot Keywords:

Beautiful Woman | Based On Novel

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Oscars.

Cast

Deanna Durbin	...	Caroline Frost
Robert Paige	...	Johnny Lawlor
Akim Tamiroff	...	Prince Gregory Stroganovsky
David Bruce	...	Lt. Robert Latham
Leonid Kinskey	...	Koppa
June Vincent	...	Jeannie McLean
Ray Collins	...	Sen. Martin Frost
Andrew Tombes	...	Sad Sam
Thomas Gomez	...	Jake Carstairs
Clara Blandick	...	Aunt Cissy Frost
Olin Howland	...	Bigelow (Wagonmaster) (as Olin Howlin)
George Cleveland	...	U.S. Marshal, Independance, MO

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Russian

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Certification:

Finland:S | Sweden:Btl

Filming Locations:

Big Bear Lake, California, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

Over its December 1944-January 1945 run at Lowe's Criterion Theatre in Manhattan, this film broke the attendance record.

Soundtrack:

SWING YOUR SWEETHEART

Deanna in colour!

"CAN'T HELP SINGING" - I first saw this charming colour film on television and treasured the tape recording for many years.

My late mother liked Deanna and had a "Deanna Durbin" Hat and told me that she once visited Paris in the late 30's and misplaced this cherished hat and was asking everyone if they'd seen "mon chapeau" - she retrieved it! The hat is remembered from "100 Men and A Girl" with the theatre caretaker watching the moving feather as Deanna was hiding behind the theatre seats.

The songs from "Can't Help Singing" are memorable and they are repeated nicely in the colourful dress-changing finale of the film. I believe "continuity" was a bit apprehensive, but Deanna said "no one will notice"! I love the public bath-house scene and note the slightly cross look Deanna throws her co-star's way when he insists on joining in the song at one point - as if she wants to keep the song's delivery entirely to herself! It is a great scene along with the bonus confusion at the end of it, when Robert Page eagerly awaits the unknown singer.

"More and More" is performed beautifully with Deanna serenading her travelling companion. I like the the bells at the end of "Any Moment Now" at which Deanna reacts. "Californ-i-ay" is another highlight. A super happy film with quite a bit of hilarity at the end.

Thanks Deanna!