Tonight's Movie: My Dream is Yours (1949) at USC
Doris Day's second film, MY DREAM IS YOURS, is the second movie I saw while visiting my daughter's class on American movie musicals at USC earlier this week. Happily, the print screened was in very nice shape with good color. The movie has a wonderful lead actress, a solid cast, a good score (including "I'll String Along With You" and the title song), plus great "retro" Hollywood atmosphere. What's not to like?Doris Day, despite being a newcomer to movies at the time, completely owns the screen. She's lovely and very "real" as a young war widow and mother determined to succeed as a singer.
Day is supported by Jack Carson, in a nicely mellow performance as her agent, and Lee Bowman as a slimy radio singer who is Carson's former client. The large cast also includes Adolphe Menjou, Edgar Kennedy, S.Z. Sakall, Selena Royle, Duncan Richardson (as Day's little boy), and best of all, Eve Arden, who brings a touch of "pizzazz" to any movie she's in. Multi-talented Sheldon Leonard (who among other things produced TV's I SPY) has a single scene as a sleazy nightclub owner.
The film has a distinctive, eye-catching "look," with excellent use of color -- lots of warm greens and browns. There are some wonderful shots of old Hollywood landmarks. Bugs Bunny even makes an appearance in an Easter dream sequence which blends live action and animation; Day and Carson appear in this scene dressed, rather bizarrely, in bunny suits. The scene is visually interesting, if also a bit strange (grin).
The movie runs 101 minutes and was directed by Michael Curtiz.
MY DREAM IS YOURS can be seen on DVD in the Doris Day Collection, Volume 2 or in a single title DVD release. It can also be seen on video or on Turner Classic Movies. May 2017 Update: MY DREAM IS YOURS has been reissued on DVD by the Warner Archive. January 2021 Update: MY DREAM IS YOURS will have a Warner Archive Blu-ray release in February 2021. My review of the Blu-ray is here.
Glenn Erickson of DVD Savant reviews the DVD here.
The trailer is here.
This movie is a great example of solid Hollywood entertainment of its era, with one of the most popular stars of all time as its leading lady. A very enjoyable viewing experience.
posted by Laura @ 10:44 PM
6 Comments:
I love the shots of Hollywood street scenes in this film, and the parody of the advertising world.
As soon as you mentioned the Bugs Bunny scene it clicked with me which movie this is. I've always liked Doris Day.
Laura this was a remake of Warner’s Twenty Million Sweethearts”
Hi! Although TWENTY MILLION SWEETHEARTS and MY DREAM IS YOURS are both about radio and both feature the song "I'll String Along With You," the stories are pretty different.
Thanks to all for stopping by! :)
Best wishes,
Laura
My Dream is Yours, an all time favorite film, especially for Carson and Eve Arden. Actually, most anything with Jack, including but not limited to his other films with Doris Day.
Barrylane, I haven't seen this film since that wonderful evening at USC a dozen years ago, and your note makes me think this might be a good time to revisit it. So many good things about it, including Jack Carson who I find particularly likeable and appealing in this one.
Thanks for making me think more about this title!
Best wishes,
Laura
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