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This MGM little gem, evidently, has been forgotten. I don't recall having seen it before, so it was a complete surprise when TCM showed it recently. MGM certainly was the studio where musicals were done right because of its power and its resources.The choice of Stanley Donen as director was the right one. Mr. Donen's distinguished career in this genre, as well as his contribution to musicals, enhances this a winning film. We don't watch musicals looking for high brow entertainment, but when we find one that has a story line, the numbers are brilliantly staged with beautiful costumes, then we have a winner, as it's the case with "Deep in my Heart".Siegmund Romberg was one of the most beloved composers working on the Broadway stages at the beginning of the last century. His collaboration with Dorothy Donnelly produced a string of winning musicals that helped establish his reputation as one of the best musicians working in America.Of course, this is a film that, by today's standards, would be considered politically incorrect. At no time do we learn that Mr. Romberg was Jewish, or that he had come to America after having suffered discrimination in Europe. Like the great American composers of the early 20th century, Mr. Romberg drew upon his European roots and the popular culture of the times he encountered in his adopted country.One of the best cinema actors of the time, Jose Ferrer, plays the title role. Mr. Ferrer gives an excellent portrait of the composer during his life. He makes Mr. Romberg a joy to watch. Having known this great actor personally, and having admired him for his work in films and the theater, brought back happy memories.The rest of the cast is equally interesting. Merle Oberon makes a beautiful Dorothy Donnelly, the woman who was the other half of the composing team. We see in smaller roles Walter Pigeon, Paul Henried, Paul Stewart, Jim Backus, Helen Traubel. Doe Avedon is Lillian, the woman who stole Romberg's heart.One of the benefits of having made the movie at MGM is the added bonus of seeing stars of the magnitude of Gene and Fred Kelly, Ann Miller, Rosemary Clooney, Cyd Charise, Tony Martin, Jane Powell, Howard Keel, Russ Tamblyn, Vic Damone interpreting the best Romberg's songs as part of whatever musical he was working at the time.A movie to treasure.
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