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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

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

---

Genres:

Biography | Musical

---

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.

---

Soundtracks

"You Try Somebody Else (We'll Be Back Together Again)"
Music by Ray Henderson
Lyrics by Lew Brown and Buddy G. DeSylva

User Reviews

Tin Pan Alley men

It's hard to believe Michael Curtiz directed this film. Mr. Curtiz, one of the most distinguished directors of the American cinema, doesn't bring anything new to this tired 20th Century Fox movie.

Maybe the three men at the center of the movie, the great song writing team of De Sylva, Brown and Henderson were too bland to merit a film that celebrated their lives. They made their mark in the theater in the early part of the 20th century, but as it plays on the screen, this musical feels dull and out of place. Some of the trio's best songs are heard in the movie. Songs like Birth of the Blues, which Gordon MacRae sings with panache. Also they wrote that sappy Al Jolson's standard, Sunny Boy, which is sung by the star in black face.

Perhaps the casting was the wrong choice for this movie. Gordon MacRae doesn't show any spark as Buddy DeSylva. Dan Dailey is also an enigma, the way he plays Ray Henderson. Ernest Borgnine is the only one that shows some life in his interpretation of Lew Brown. Sheree North is the good Kitty Kane, who played in most of the shows this trio wrote.