''I'll See You in My Dreams'' is a 1951
musical film
Musical film is a film genre in which songs by the Character (arts), characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, but in some cases, they serv ...
directed by
Michael Curtiz
Michael Curtiz (; born Manó Kaminer; from 1905 Mihály Kertész; ; December 24, 1886 April 10, 1962) was a Hungarian-American film director, recognized as one of the most prolific directors in history. He directed classic films from the silen ...
and starring
Doris Day
Doris Day (born Doris Mary Kappelhoff; April 3, 1922 – May 13, 2019) was an American actress and singer. She began her career as a big band singer in 1937, achieving commercial success in 1945 with two No. 1 recordings, "Sentimental Journey ...
and
Danny Thomas.
The film is a biography of
lyricist
A lyricist is a writer who writes lyrics (the spoken words), as opposed to a composer, who writes the song's music which may include but not limited to the melody, harmony, arrangement and accompaniment.
Royalties
A lyricist's income derives ...
Gus Kahn and includes a number of songs written by him, including
the title song. The story, which avoids Kahn's Jewish origins, is told from the point of view of his wife Grace, who was still alive when the film was produced; Kahn had died in 1941.
Insecure Gus Kahn wanders into the musical publishing house where Grace LeBoy is a talent judge of some influence. She challenges him to write a love song, but doesn't expect him to deliver it to her home the same evening. Grace's parents take an instant liking to Gus, even after his borrowed necktie trails into his soup bowl. Grace eventually quits her job to plug Gus' songs on her own. The first song is a hit. But after failed follow ups, Grace turns publicity over to Fred Thompson.
When the great tenor John Mc Cormack makes the songs "Memories" a hit,the tongue-tied Gus finally proposes to Grace.Grace's pregnancy inspires Gus to write another hit,"Pretty Baby". Grace sneak-auditions Gus' songs for producer Sam Harris, gaining Gus entry onto the Broadway stage. It is one hit after another from then on---the one bump being his partnership with Walter Donaldson. Donaldson is an incorrigible playboy and Kahn finds it tough going to adjust to his off-and-on schedule.They eventually break up. Gus suffers serious losses in the Wall Street Crash of 1929, and goes through a long period where he's unable to write.
Grace gets him a Hollywood contract---but Gus is outraged at the "charity" and leaves for California alone. His mental block continues--and he suffers a major heart attack.
This brings Donaldson to his side with a promise to be a more reliable partner, and their re- teaming leads to renewed success.
At a concluding testimonial dinner, Gus finally says publicly what we've known all along---that Grace is the "brains" of the family and he couldn't have succeeded without her.
''I'll See You in My Dreams'' became
Warner Bros.' second-highest-grossing film of 1951.
Curtiz teamed with Thomas again the following year for a
remake
A remake is a film, television series, video game, song or similar form of entertainment that is based upon and retells the story of an earlier production in the same medium—e.g., a "new version of an existing film". A remake tells the same s ...
of ''
The Jazz Singer''.
Plot
Gus Kahn is a prolific songwriter who meets and falls in love with
Grace LeBoy in 1908. His career ascends to spectacular heights with such hits as "
Pretty Baby", "
My Buddy", "
Toot, Toot, Tootsie" and "
Makin' Whoopee", but he loses his savings in the
1929 stock-market crash.
Cast
*
Doris Day
Doris Day (born Doris Mary Kappelhoff; April 3, 1922 – May 13, 2019) was an American actress and singer. She began her career as a big band singer in 1937, achieving commercial success in 1945 with two No. 1 recordings, "Sentimental Journey ...
as
Grace LeBoy Kahn
*
Danny Thomas as
Gus Kahn
*
Frank Lovejoy as
Walter Donaldson
*
Patrice Wymore
Patrice Wymore Flynn (born Patricia Wymore; December 17, 1926 – March 22, 2014) was an American film, television and stage actress of the 1950s and 1960s, known for her marriage to Errol Flynn.
Early life and stage career
Born Patricia Wymor ...
as Gloria Knight (singing voice dubbed by Bonnie Lou Williams)
*
James Gleason as Fred Thompson
*
Mary Wickes as Anna
*
Julie Oshins as Johnny Martin
*
Jim Backus as Sam Harris
*
Minna Gombell as Mrs. LeBoy
*
Harry Antrim as Mr. LeBoy
*
William Forrest as
Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr.
*
Bunny Lewbel as Irene, at age 6
*
Robert Lyden as Donald, at age 8
*
Mimi Gibson as Irene, at age 3
* Christopher Olsen as Donald, at age 4 (as Christy Olson)
*
Joan Vohs as Chorine (uncredited)
* Hans Conried as William Rossiter(uncredited)
* Dick Simmons as Egbert Van Alstyne (uncredited)
* Tristram Coffin as Maitre'D (uncredited)
* Ray Kellogg as Tenor Singer John Mc Cormack (uncredited)
* Bonnie Lou Williams as Dubbed Singing Voice of Patrice Wymore (uncredited)
Music
A
soundtrack album was released by
that contains songs sung by Day (including duets with Thomas) in the film.
The film has been cited by
Berry Gordy as an inspiration for his start in songwriting.
[ Nelson George, 'Where did our love go', p. 18]
References
External links
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Synopsis on Reel.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:I'll See You in My Dreams (1951 Film)
1951 films
1950s biographical films
1951 musical comedy films
American biographical films
American musical comedy films
Biographical films about musicians
American black-and-white films
1950s English-language films
Films about composers
Films directed by Michael Curtiz
Warner Bros. films
Cultural depictions of classical musicians
1950s American films
English-language musical comedy films
English-language biographical films