Say One for Me ** (1959, Debbie Reynolds, Bing Crosby, Robert Wagner) – Classic Movie Review 10,809

Robert Wagner supports Bing Crosby and Debbie Reynolds in the mix of comedy, musical and romance that is Say One for Me (1959). It was nominated for one Oscar: Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture for Lionel Newman.

Producer-director Frank Tashlin’s 1959 Say One for Me stars Bing Crosby, who revisits the scene of his 1944 Going My Way triumph for a much less appealing musical comedy-drama in which he plays Father Conroy, a parish priest near Broadway serving the acting and performing community. He befriends a chorus girl, Holly LeMaise (Debbie Reynolds), and sorts out a womanising nightclub boss, Tony Vincent (Robert Wagner), who really loves her.

It runs a way too long 120 minutes, and the songs by Sammy Cahn (Lyrics) and James Van Heusen (Music) are surprisingly ordinary from this hit team, and it just goes to show that showbiz and religion really do not mix. However, Bing and Debbie are amiable enough company though, especially when they are singing and dancing.

It is shot by Leo Tover in Color by Deluxe and CinemaScope.

It is made by Bing Crosby Productions and filmed at 20th Century Fox Studios, 10201 Pico Blvd, Century City, Los Angeles.

The main title theme was composed by Alfred Newman and first heard in the mountain retreat sequence of The Razor’s Edge (1946).

Also in the cast are Ray Walston, Les Tremayne, Connie Gilchrist, Frank McHugh, Joe Besser, Alena Murray, Stella Stevens, Nina Shipman, Sebastian Cabot, Judy Harriet, Murray Alper and Richard Collier.

© Derek Winnert 2021 Classic Movie Review 10,809

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