''Mr. Music'' is a 1950 film starring

Bing Crosby Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, musician and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwide. He was a ...

and

Nancy Olson Nancy Ann Olson (born July 14, 1928) is an American actress. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in '' Sunset Boulevard'' (1950). She co-starred with William Holden in four films, and later appeared ...

, directed by Richard Haydn, and released by

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...

. It is based on the play '' Accent on Youth'' written by

Samson Raphaelson Samson Raphaelson (March 30, 1894 – July 16, 1983) was a leading American playwright, screenwriter and fiction writer. While working as an advertising executive in New York, he wrote a short story based on the early life of Al Jolson, called ' ...

. Filming took place from October to December 1949 in Hollywood.

Plot

New York theater producer Alex Conway travels with composer Paul Merrick to Lawford College, Paul's alma mater, where one of his musicals is being revived by the students. The current campus hero is handsome athlete Jefferson Blake, so Katherine Holbrook, class valedictorian and chairman of the welcoming committee for returning alumni, asks Paul to work in a phrase about Jeff in one of his songs. Paul balks at the suggestion, but Kate's matter-of-fact manner leaves no room for discussion. Paul is persuaded to take part in the show, and he sings "And You'll Be Home".

Lawrence Welk Lawrence Welk (March 11, 1903 – May 17, 1992) was an American accordionist, bandleader, and television impresario, who hosted the '' The Lawrence Welk Show'' from 1951 to 1982. His style came to be known as "champagne music" to his radio, te ...

's champagne lady, Norma Zimmer sings the obligato, while sitting next to Bing during the song. After the show, Paul and Alex return to New York, and although Paul is broke, he would rather play golf than work. When he asks Alex for a $15,000 advance against his next musical, which Alex intends to produce with financing from multi-millionaire Tippy Carpenter, Alex agrees on condition that Paul take on a secretary, who will make sure that he works and will not squander the money. Paul laughingly accepts, but has second thoughts when he finds that Alex has hired the ever-serious Kate. Kate continually hounds him to work, but Paul snubs her efforts so that he can play golf and entertain Lorna Marvis, his girlfriend. Frustrated by her lack of success, Kate, an aspiring psychiatrist, accuses Paul of being afraid of failure. Paul intends to fire Kate, but feels guilty because he would be breaking his agreement with Alex. Lorna announces her intention to marry Tippy for his money. Paul then discovers that Kate and her Aunt Amy have moved into the guest room of his penthouse apartment. Paul gets to work composing a new score, and when Jeff comes to town, Paul encourages him to take Kate out. For the first time, Jeff sees Kate's charms and kisses her, even though it means breaking training. However, Kate discovers that she is more interested in Paul, who is older, than in Jeff. After three weeks, Paul throws a party to celebrate the fact that he has written eight songs and completed the score for the musical revue, Mr. Music. The day after the party, Jeff tells Paul that he is losing competitions because he cannot stop thinking about Kate, even though he knows Kate is in love with Paul. Paul is surprised to hear about Kate's feelings, and when Lorna returns to him, and they become engaged, he tells Kate about Jeff's visit, and that she should pursue someone closer to her own age. Kate is devastated, and plans to quit, but refrains when she learns that Tippy has pulled his money from the show. Aunt Amy tries to interest her wealthy friend, Jerome Thisbee (Richard Haydn using the pseudonym Claud Curdle), in backing the show, but Alex and Paul are disappointed when Thisbee offers only $300, not the $300,000 they need. Kate then announces her plan to return to graduate school, but instead returns to Lawford after Paul's butler, "Cupcake" Haggerty, brings news that the Friars' Club has agreed to help them. Some time later, Paul brings Alex to Lawford to let him in on the surprise: The college students, aided by name performers such as comedian

Groucho Marx Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx (; October 2, 1890 – August 19, 1977) was an American comedian, actor, writer, stage, film, radio, singer, television star and vaudeville performer. He is generally considered to have been a master of quick wit an ...

, Metropolitan Opera singer Dorothy Kirsten, dancers

Marge Marge is a feminine given name, a shortened form of Marjorie, Margot or Margaret. Notable Marges include: People * Marge (cartoonist) (1904–1993), pen name of Marjorie Henderson Buell, American cartoonist * Marge Anderson (1932–2013), Ojibwe ...

, and

Gower Champion Gower Carlyle Champion (June 22, 1919 – August 25, 1980) was an American actor, theatre director, choreographer, and dancer. Early years Champion was born on June 22, 1919, in Geneva, Illinois, as the son of John W. Champion and Beatrice Car ...

, who portray themselves along with the singing group The Merry Macs, have put on Mr. Music for the benefit of several potential backers. Although the backers refuse to finance the show with Alex as producer, Thisbee comes through with a certified check for $300,000. Lorna, who realizes she is more interested in money than Paul, ends their engagement and asks Kate to return the ring. As Kate has rejected Jeff, who is back on a winning streak, she asks Paul if she can keep the ring, and when he consents, they become engaged.

Cast

as Paul Merrick *

as Katherine Holbrook * Charles Coburn as Alex Conway * Ruth Hussey as Lorna Marvis * Robert Stack as Jefferson Blake * Tom Ewell as "Cupcake" Haggerty * Ida Moore as Aunt Amy * Charles Kemper as Mr. Danforth * Donald Woods as Tippy Carpenter * Richard Haydn (aka Claud Curdle) as Jerome Thisbee *

Irving Bacon Irving Bacon (born Irving Von Peters; September 6, 1893 – February 5, 1965) was an American character actor who appeared in almost 500 films. Early years Bacon was the son of entertainers Millar Bacon and Myrtle Vane. He was born in St. Jos ...

as Jewelry Salesman * Norma Zimmer as Singer (uncredited) *

Dave Barbour David Michael Barbour (May 28, 1912 – December 11, 1965) was an American jazz guitarist. He was married to singer Peggy Lee and was her co-writer, accompanist, and bandleader. Biography Barbour was born in Long Island, New York, United States ...

as Guitarist (uncredited) and featuring as themselves: * Marge Champion *

* Dorothy Kirsten *

Peggy Lee Norma Deloris Egstrom (May 26, 1920 – January 21, 2002), known professionally as Peggy Lee, was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress, over a career spanning seven decades. From her beginning as a vocalis ...

The Merry Macs The Merry Macs were an American close-harmony pop music quartet active from the 1920s till the 1960s and best known for the hits " Mairzy Doats", "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition" and " Sentimental Journey". The group also sang on recording ...

Reception

Bosley Crowther Francis Bosley Crowther Jr. (July 13, 1905 – March 7, 1981) was an American journalist, writer, and film critic for ''The New York Times'' for 27 years. His work helped shape the careers of many actors, directors and screenwriters, though his ...

of ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid ...

'' in his review of December 21, 1950 wrote: "To brighten the Christmas season, our old friend, Bing Crosby, is in town in a role (and an entertainment) that fits him—and he it—like a glove. In Paramount’s ''Mr. Music'', which came to the Paramount yesterday ... ''Mr. Music'' may not stack up with the best of the Crosby films, but it is certainly a contemporary achievement that the master may lean happily upon." ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' concluded: "Despite a contrived story, the ingredients are sufficiently well mixed to make ''Mr. Music'' a box office winner."

Soundtrack

*"Once More the Blue and White" sung by Bing Crosby *"Milady" sung by students *"And You'll Be Home" sung by Bing Crosby and chorus, and again by chorus. *"High on the List" sung by Bing Crosby *"Wouldn't It Be Funny" sung by Bing Crosby *"Accidents Will Happen" sung by Bing Crosby, and again by Bing Crosby and Dorothy Kirsten *"Wasn't I There?" a few lines sung by Bing Crosby *"Life Is So Peculiar" sung by Bing Crosby and Peggy Lee, also by The Merry Macs, and again by Bing Crosby and Groucho Marx *"Mr. Music" sung by chorus All of the songs were written by

Jimmy Van Heusen James Van Heusen (born Edward Chester Babcock; January 26, 1913 – February 6, 1990) was an American composer. He wrote songs for films, television and theater, and won an Emmy and four Academy Awards for Best Original Song. Life and care ...

(music) and Johnny Burke (lyrics). Bing Crosby recorded six of the songs for

Decca Records Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934 by Lewis, Jack Kapp, American Decca's first president, and Milton Rackmil, who later became American Decca's president. ...

, and these were issued on a 78rpm album titled Songs from Mr. Music. Crosby's songs were also included in the Bing's Hollywood series.

Primary crew

*Director: Richard Haydn *Producer: Robert L. Welch *Assistant Director: Harry Caplan *2nd Assistant Director: Danny McCauley *Dialogue Director: James Vincent *Director of Photography: George Barnes *Composer:

*Lyricist: Johnny Burke *Choreography:

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Mister Music 1950 films 1950 comedy films American comedy films American films based on plays American black-and-white films 1950s English-language films 1950s American films