The Best Things in Life Are Free (1956)

Ray Henderson joins Buddy De Sylva and Lew Brown to form a successful 1920s musical show writing team. They soon have several hits on Broadway but De Sylva's personal ambition leads to ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Curtiz

Writers:

William Bowers, Phoebe Ephron,

Stars:

Gordon MacRae, Dan Dailey, Ernest Borgnine

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gordon MacRae	...	B.G. 'Buddy' De Sylva
Dan Dailey	...	Ray Henderson
Ernest Borgnine	...	Lew Brown
Sheree North	...	Kitty Kane
Tommy Noonan	...	Carl Frisbee
Murvyn Vye	...	Manny Costain
Phyllis Avery	...	Maggie Henderson
Larry Keating	...	Winfield Sheehan
Tony Galento	...	Fingers
Norman Brooks	...	Al Jolson
Jacques d'Amboise	...	Specialty dancer
Roxanne Arlen	...	Perky Nichols
Byron Palmer	...	Hollywood star
Linda Brace	...	Jeannie Henderson
Patty Lou Hudson	...	Susie Henderson

Storyline

Ray Henderson joins Buddy De Sylva and Lew Brown to form a successful 1920s musical show writing team. They soon have several hits on Broadway but De Sylva's personal ambition leads to friction as the other two increasingly feel left out of things.

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Plot Keywords:

ambition | broadway manhattan new york city | claim in title | manhattan new york city | new york city

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Taglines:

John O'Hara's flaming portrait of the jazz age... and the guys and gals who made it Zing!

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Genres:

Biography | Musical

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 September 1956 (USA)

Also Known As:

Fanfaren der Freude

Filming Locations:

Stage 4, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

An establishing shot of Times Square in New York City, supposed to be taking place around 1930, clearly shows 1950s automobiles in the traffic.

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Soundtracks

"Together"
Music by Ray Henderson
Lyrics by Lew Brown and Buddy G. DeSylva

User Reviews

"The Best Things in Life are Free" - how about a letterboxed print, 20th Century Fox?

Michael Curtiz's 1956 film "The Best Things in Life are Free" was frequently shown on Chicago television in the 1960s. I had not seen the film until it was recently broadcast on the Fox Movie Channel. Unfortunately, it was not a letterboxed print, so it was very difficult to determine the film's merits as it had the left and right margins entirely cut off. That aside, I think it was an attempt at a darkish musical with Curtiz touches and this was reflected in the script.

The film is entirely done on soundstages, no exteriors at all, so it feels kind of clunky, as many of the early Cinemascope films were as well.

I liked the actors, especially the wonderful actor and dancer Sheree North. Her best number, "Black Bottom", was badly impacted by the lack of a letterboxed print. She was very fortunate to be partnered by one of George Balanchine's finest male dancers, Jacques d'Amboise, photographed here in his dancing prime. Lucky Sheree North! Dancer (and future partner of Fred Astaire) Barrie Chase is also featured in the film.

I was amused by Ernest Borgnine's dancing, singing and acting, puzzled by Dan Dailey's lack of dancing, and liked Gordon MacRae, who played Buddy daSylva.

I liked the film, and hope to see a letterboxed print in the future.