If I Had My Way

If I Had My Way

Theatrical release poster
Directed by David Butler
Produced by David Butler
Written by
Story by David Butler
Starring
Music by Charles Previn
Cinematography George Robinson
Edited by Irene Morra
Production
company
Distributed by Universal Pictures
Release dates
  • May 5, 1940 (1940-05-05) (USA)
Running time
 93 minutes
Country United States
Language English

If I Had My Way is a 1940 musical comedy film directed by David Butler and starring Bing Crosby and Gloria Jean.[1] Based on a story by David Butler, the film is about a construction worker who takes charge of the daughter of a fellow worker killed in an accident. After bringing the girl to New York to find her uncle, who has spent his life savings on a failed restaurant, he tries to help the girl and her uncle make the restaurant a success.

Filming took place in Hollywood between February and April 1940. This was another independent production for Crosby outside his Paramount contract and he took a financial interest in it. The film had its New York premiere at the Rivoli Theater on May 5, 1940.[2]

Plot

Buzz Blackwell, Fred Johnson and Axel Swenson are construction workers who are building a bridge. They are good friends and Buzz and Axel even help Fred raising his daughter Patricia. When Fred tragically dies in a fatal accident, Patricia is forced to live with her relatives in New York City whom she has never met. Buzz and Axel decide to depart with her. They soon arrive at her uncle and aunt Jarvis and Brenda, who are horrible persons. Jarvis is a snobby rich man, while Brenda is supercilious. Jarvis has received a letter from Buzz, warning him for their arrival and wants no part in raising Patricia. As they show up, Jarvis pretends to be someone else and sends them to the other "J. Johnson". This is Joe, Patricia's great uncle and husband of Marian. They are poor ex-vaudevillans but welcome them with open arms. Buzz wants to give Joe Fred's money he left him for Patricia, but finds out a drunken Axel used that money to buy a Swedish restaurant. This restaurant, which is doomed to fail, is now the only money bringer for the Johnsons. Buzz is determined to help them out and turns the restaurant in a night club, but is bothered with Jarvis, he has returned to claim "his" money back.

Cast

Reception

Reviewers in 1940 had kind words for Bing and Gloria, but complained about the timeworn storyline. "Although it can hardly be termed an original model," said Boxoffice, [the Crosby film] is nicely tailored to his distinctive brand of comedy and crooning. Bing is ably aided and abetted by Gloria Jean, captivating miss of the silvery voice. In fact the teaming of these two song birds is a ten-strike in smart casting and the resultant feature has much to offer customers of all ages and tastes, with a bonus for the oldsters who will enjoy a nostalgic thrill through the appearances of Blanche Ring, Eddie Leonard, and several other oldtimers whose stars shone brightly during the golden era of the theatah."

Bosley Crowther writing in The New York Times was not impressed saying: The sum total is but a moderately amusing musical, more often flat than sharp—and this we say in spite of the fellow sitting next to us who kept telling his girl-friend solemnly, “This is very entertaining, indeed.”[4]

Variety did not think much of it either. "Bing Crosby will likely want to forget this cinematic adventure just as quickly as possible. Way below par as compared with his releases for both Universal and Paramount during the past two years, If I Had My Way will need all of his draw strength to get it through the key runs for nominal grosses."[5]

Upon the film's DVD release in 2006, DVD Talk praised Crosby and thought Jean was cute, but criticized the plot and called the film "strictly second-run material".[6]

Soundtrack

Bing Crosby recorded a number of the songs for Decca Records.[7] “April Played the Fiddle” enjoyed seven weeks in the charts, peaking at No. 10. “Meet the Sun Half Way” reached the No. 15 mark during 4 weeks in the charts.[8] Crosby's songs were also included in the Bing's Hollywood series.

Home media

On November 14, 2006, Universal Studios released If I Had My Way as part of the Bing Crosby:Screen Legend Collection on Region 1 DVD. The 3-disc set also includes Double or Nothing (1937), Waikiki Wedding (1937), East Side of Heaven (1939), and Here Come the Waves (1944).[9]

References

  1. ↑ "If I Had My Way". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  2. ↑ Macfarlane, Malcolm. "Bing Crosby - Day by Day". BING magazine. International Club Crosby. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  3. ↑ "Full cast and crew for If I Had My Way". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  4. ↑ Crowther, Bosley. "The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Variety". May 1, 1940.
  6. ↑ DVD Talk Bing Crosby: screen legend collection: If I Had My Way
  7. ↑ "A Bing Crosby Discography". A Bing Crosby Discography. Retrieved December 30, 2015.
  8. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (1986). Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 108. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
  9. ↑ "Three of Hollywood's Most Memorable Leading Men… Fifteen Unforgettable Movies". Universal Studios Home Entertainment. PR Newswire. 20 October 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-10-20. Universal Studios Home Entertainment celebrates the Golden Age of Hollywood this holiday season with the November 14, 2006 release of “Cary Grant: Screen Legend Collection,” “Bing Crosby: Screen Legend Collection,” and “Rock Hudson: Screen Legend Collection.”

External links

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