This R&H isn't shown very often, and I can see why. It has two lovely (and several other minor) songs, some good performances but just isn't in the same class as South Pacific, Oklahoma, or any of the other R&H movies for that matter. Not unpleasant viewing by any means, but disappointing. It lacks the dramatic punch of the duo's other movies, and reminds me a bit more of the fluffy 1930s musicals that Rodgers used to write with Hart.
On the plus side are two great numbers: It Might as Well be Spring and It's a Grand Night for Singing. The latter is one of the best R&H waltzes. Another huge plus is Dick Haymes, who made far too few films.
The two romantic subplots (Haymes-Blaine and Andrews-Crain) are weak. Haymes is unconvincing as a farm boy who dumps his hometown sweetheart in favor of a singer who turns out to be married (I said there was a spoiler here.... ) At the end, in a two-second scene, he is back with his old flame. It just isn't a particularly believable or satisfying resolution. Andrews plays an ambitious newspaper man who has some kind of job opportunity out in Chicago. His romance with Crain is more believable, but not by much. At least Andrews is cast well as the newspaperman, which is more than I can say for Haymes.
I did like the cute comic subplots with the pig and the home-cooking competition, which really capture the atmosphere of country fairs. Donald Meek is funny as hell as a tipsy food-taster.
On the plus side are two great numbers: It Might as Well be Spring and It's a Grand Night for Singing. The latter is one of the best R&H waltzes. Another huge plus is Dick Haymes, who made far too few films.
The two romantic subplots (Haymes-Blaine and Andrews-Crain) are weak. Haymes is unconvincing as a farm boy who dumps his hometown sweetheart in favor of a singer who turns out to be married (I said there was a spoiler here.... ) At the end, in a two-second scene, he is back with his old flame. It just isn't a particularly believable or satisfying resolution. Andrews plays an ambitious newspaper man who has some kind of job opportunity out in Chicago. His romance with Crain is more believable, but not by much. At least Andrews is cast well as the newspaperman, which is more than I can say for Haymes.
I did like the cute comic subplots with the pig and the home-cooking competition, which really capture the atmosphere of country fairs. Donald Meek is funny as hell as a tipsy food-taster.