With a Song in My Heart - The Jane Froman Story (1952)

From radio star to wartime inspiration, the life of singer Jane Froman (the incomparable Susan Hayward) was made for the silver screen. The opening titles proclaim it "The story of a girl and the story of a voice. The girl is Jane Froman, the voice is her own" (Froman provided Hayward's vocals). Born in Missouri, the contralto finds fame in Cincinnati before conquering Chicago, New York--and songwriter Don Ross (David Wayne), her first husband. When her plane crashes en route to a USO engagement, Froman risks losing her legs, and fears she'll never perform again. In the hospital, she bonds with Pilot John Burn (Rory Calhoun) and wise-cracking nurse Clancy (All About Eve's Thelma Ritter). In the process, she falls for Burn and returns to the stage. With a Song in My Heart follows the basic biopic template--rise, fall, and resurrection--but Technicolor maestro Walter Lang (The King and I) throws in a few surprises, like narration by the supporting cast and an appearance by a handsome young Robert Wagner as a shell-shocked paratrooper. He also showcases an array of glittering gowns and a myriad of musical numbers, including Rodgers and Hart's stirring title track. Two featurettes and an interview with Burn reveal that Froman's life was even more difficult than that of her fictional counterpart. Though she marks an exception among Hayward's edgy on-screen personas--notably her Academy Award-winning convict in I Want to Live!--the auburn-haired actress invests the vocalist with innate decency and persuasive talent. --Kathleen C. Fennessy Amazon.com

INSPIRING ,,, STORY, BEAUTIFUL WOMAN

WHAT A GREAT MOVIE, WITH ONE OF THE REALLY GOOD LOOKING ACTRESSES OF THE PAST, WITH A HEART WARMING STORY LINE !
I LOVED IT AND HER, [SUSAN HAYWARD]. July 18, 2008

Susan Haywood is a Classic

Susan Haywood movies are a must have. Love the fact that her movies are now on DVD. This is a movie that you want to watch over and over again!
The movie is great and Amazon service is exceptional. Recommend all of Susan Haywood movies. July 4, 2008

golden oldie

This movie brought back memories for my mother in law and she showed it to all her friends. June 29, 2008

Put a Song in Your Heart

I must have been about ten when I first saw this film and I never forgot it. It is a musical feast, but, as my wife would say, without the silliness of characters bursting into song at the drop of a hat. For those who never heard of Jane Froman, it has been your loss - now you can make up for it. Ms. Froman was a very talented lady, a real fighter, a true inspiration. As portrayed by the incomparable Susan Hayward (lip-synching seamlessly), with a familiar cast of characters (check out soldier in her audience twice in a heart-wrenching cameo by a very young Robert Wagner), her story is strong enough to hold the movies together nicely. But it is the music that makes this film special. From the title song to BLUE MOON to EMBRACEABLE YOU to I'LL WALK ALONE... well, as they say, the hits just keep on coming - a rich crosssection of the tunes that warmed the hearts of folks in the first half of the 20th century. Is it dated? You bet, though the digital version is amazing. But the music, the portrayals, the true story are timeless. And it winds up with about an eight minute gem - a performance for wounded soldiers in Europe (Ms. Froman talked the talk and walked - with difficulty - the walk as she entertained troops tirelessly, fearlessly at the front in WWII). It includes a recreation of the final performance of her farewell tour for he wounded, medley of state-side songs, from AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL to CHICAGO to MY INDIANA HOME to DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS that will leave some pretty tough cookies with a sorely-needed rush of patriotic adrenaline and embarrassingly moist cheeks. Square? You bet! But for anyone who loves great music and sentimental journeys, WITH A SONG IN MY HEART is a treasure not to be missed. And don't be surprised if an M&M fan or a Rolling Stones' devotee in the family pokes a head into your television space on hearing a musical passage they may never have heard before - and lingers to hear a little more. That's entertainment! June 9, 2008

With A Song In My Heart

A very welcome addition to my wife's collection of movie musicals. She loves this kind of music.
May 31, 2008

More reviews at Amazon.com ...