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• A lighter touch for Wyman

  • Jarrod McDonald
  • 11/20/09

  Considering the fact that I grew up watching Jane Wyman on 'Falcon Crest,' then discovered her dramatic films like 'Johnny Belinda' and the ones she did with director Douglas Sirk, it's a lot of fun to see her in this one with Capra at the helm and Bing alongside her. I don't think I've ever seen Wyman have so much fun clowning and singing. And she's sweet in the scenes with the kids, but then can be tough with Alexis Smith (who nearly steals the show). This is a great film and such a treat for any Wyman fan. I especially like the moment where she visits Bing in the guesthouse and proceeds to fall flat on her face in that larger-than-life dress! Wyman proves that she was just as adept at comedy as she was at drama.

• Capra and Crosby can't miss

  • sam chell
  • 11/19/09

  The peerless Capra was still on his game (Glen Ford was yet to come), perfectly balancing the sentiment and the humor (the priceless "tracer" gags that punctuate the end of a scene are worthy of study in themselves. He's a master of scenes with lots of people and copious dialog, allowing the spectator to take it all in. And with many of his repertory company on hand (e.g. Miles Standish), there's a lot to see. Give an "actor's director" a star like Bing Crosby, and it's bound to be a slam dunk. No actor plays bigger than his actual height than does Crosby; no actor has a more competent, inerrant command of the English language (the guy maintained a weekly radio show for over 30 years). On the short side, at a disadvantage in the hair department, never to be mistaken for Brad Pitt, Crosby had a screen presence, or composure, that ensured he could command the screen space opposite anyone--including Astaire in a dance number or Sinatra in a duet. The bonus surprise in this one is the fetching, feisty and felicitous performance of Alexis Smith. (Note: Capra's camera creates its own "music"; there's rarely much room for a film score.)

• Lightfull,funny comedy

  • Merita
  • 6/1/07

  Greate actors,kind movie.

• top notch entertainment

  • kuhar
  • 2/12/07

  bing crosby playing the character bing crosby, and that's why this movie is so good. great entertainment and fun.

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