With her gangster boyfriend under investigation by the police, a nightclub singer hides out in a musical research institution staffed by bachelor professors - one of whom begins to fall for ... Read allWith her gangster boyfriend under investigation by the police, a nightclub singer hides out in a musical research institution staffed by bachelor professors - one of whom begins to fall for her.With her gangster boyfriend under investigation by the police, a nightclub singer hides out in a musical research institution staffed by bachelor professors - one of whom begins to fall for her.
- Bubbles
- (as John William Sublett)
- The Page Cavanaugh Trio
- (as The Page Cavanaugh Trio)
- The Golden Gate Quartette
- (as The Golden Gate Quartet)
- The Samba Kings
- (as Russo and The Samba Kings)
- Professor Traumer
- (as Ludwig Stossel)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDanny Kaye's wife, Sylvia Fine, was also his personal composer/writer. However, Fine refused to take part in any more of Kaye's projects because he had recently left her for actress Eve Arden. Kaye did not want anyone else writing songs for him, so he simply did not perform any songs in this movie.
- GoofsAfter slipping her engagement ring on, it disappears only to reappear at the beginning of Miss Honey's long-hair jam session recording.
- Quotes
Honey Swanson: [about Frisbee] Yes, I love him. I love those hick shirts he wears with the boiled collars and the way he always has his coat buttoned wrong. It looks like a giraffe, and I love him. I love him because he's the sort of a guy that gets drunk on a glass of buttermilk. And I love the way he blushes right up over his ears. I love him because he... he doesn't know how to kiss, the jerk.
- Alternate versionsThere is an Italian edition of this film on DVD, distributed by DNA Srl, re-edited with the contribution of film historian Riccardo Cusin. This version is also available for streaming on some platforms.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Louis Armstrong's Black & Blues (2022)
- SoundtracksA Song Is Born
(1948)
Words and Music by Don Raye and Gene de Paul
Orchestrations by Sonny Burke
Sung by Virginia Mayo (uncredited) (dubbed by Jeri Sullavan (uncredited))
Sung and played by Louis Armstrong (uncredited)
Played by Tommy Dorsey (uncredited)
Sung by The Golden Gate Quartette (uncredited)
By changing the original premise from learning about slang to learning about the new popular rhythms that had come out during the thirties and forties, the creators thought they were updating the basic idea, and they succeed, at times. The best thing in this film is the array of talent we see. Some of the giants in popular music of that time, are seen at their best in musical numbers that are clever and that reminds the viewer how classic compositions could relate to the new expressions.
The central story is just a pretext to present Danny Kaye, who is the nerdy professor Frisbee, and his co-star, Virginia Mayo, a night club singer, Honey Swanson. Professor Frisbee gets in hot water because unknown to him, Honey is involved with a gangster, Tony Crow, who doesn't want to let go of his beautiful girlfriend. Besides the two stars, Steve Cochran puts in an appearance as Tony.
Some of the best known popular musicians of that era are seen doing wonderful music together. Tommy Dorsey, Mel Powell, Buck and Bubbles, Charlie Barnett, Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, and Benny Goodman, who plays one of the professors.
The film, while not as original as its model, is worth watching for the music alone. Music fans are in for a treat thanks to Mr. Hawks.
- How long is A Song Is Born?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- That's Life
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $2,400,000 (estimated)
- Runtime1 hour 53 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1