With a Song in My Heart (1952)

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

I saw this movie as a kid when it came out and there were so many memorable scenes even though I didn't get all the intricacies of the plot such as the love triangle. I was just a kid.First. I didn't know who Jane Froman was and still don't know her well.Second. I've always loved Susan Hayward, perfect for this film. Her lip syncing was flawless and if I didn't know, I'd think it was her.Third. I'm now watching it on TCM, shown there for the first with Robert Wagner as guest. They discussed how his 2 short scenes with little dialogue made him a star. I knew that when I saw it at about 7 years old and remember how moving those scenes were. Wagner was impossibly appealing and the director knew what he was doing.Fourth. It was so beautifully photographed. My grandparents had the original 10inch 78rpm record album with Susan on the cover in the brightest red dress I've ever seen. I played "I'll Walk Alone" many times. That song still gives me goosebumps.And, finally. Sure it looks dated but that's how things looked in the early 50s. It has people you really care about, especially Froman, who went on to entertain the troops despite her problems. You gotta love people like that.

Musicals aren't quite as impressive when one has the knowledge that the lead's singing has been dubbed, in this case Susan Hayward, by the singer she portrays, Jane Froman. Essentially though, that means Hayward may as well have received her Oscar nomination for excellent lip-syncing, since there isn't much to her character, a goody-two-shoes who suffered tragic injuries in a plane crash, and her supposedly remarkable imitation of Froman is lost in this day and age when not many people remember even Hayward, much less Froman.Thankfully, Thelma Ritter comes to the rescue once again, and she also receives an Oscar nomination for bringing her trademark brand of tough love to the story as Hayward's nurse. It is somewhat to Hayward's detriment though, since her more dramatic scenes involve her recuperation but Ritter almost always outshines her (or at least, out-talks her).Otherwise, this movie is pretty uninteresting, though it probably meant more to people back then who actually knew Jane Froman was or could appreciate a pretty standard overcoming-adversities story. Nice outfits though, and young Rory Calhoun was pretty hot.You should probably only watch this if you're a fan of Hayward or Ritter (or the even rarer Jane Froman fan).

Jane Froman was a popular radio personality in the 1930s and 40s. Millions of listeners enjoyed her beautiful operatic voice. By the time television came around, Froman's career was beginning to wind down. In the early 1940s, she was severely injured in a plane crash en route to Europe. But her popularity soared after that incident, because although disabled, she continued to entertain American troops. In effect, she became a symbol of American optimism and perseverance during WWII."With A Song In My Heart" is Froman's story, from the time that she became well known as a singer. The film is factual, but mostly it is inspirational. Susan Hayward plays Froman, and lip-syncs to Froman's actual singing voice. Although technically this film is not a musical, there are plenty of songs.The film begins with her singing to an enamored audience. Most of the rest of the plot is a flashback to her rise to stardom, the crash, and the difficulties she endured afterwards. The plot then returns at the end to the film's opening performance.Susan Hayward does a fine job as she imitates Froman's gestures, and animates Froman's optimism, showmanship, and verve. All of the songs and music predate rock-n-roll, and therefore have a dream-like quality. Many of her performances are formal, complete with big chandeliers and wavy, silky curtains. Costumes range from glamorous before the accident, to informal in later years. David Wayne and the always reliable Thelma Ritter are convincing in secondary roles.The music in this film is totally from another era, very orchestral and idealized. I could not identify with any of it. That's not a criticism, just an observation. My one complaint about this film is that the tone is just a tad too upbeat and reassuring. Whatever warts the woman might have had are conveniently left out of the film. Indeed, the film tends to deify Froman. She seems imbued with superhuman goodness. But that's how cinematic bios were made in those days."With A Song In My Heart" is a fine biography of a woman who truly had a talent for singing. Just be aware that the story and the film may seem a tad antiquated by today's standards.

Always an interesting and gifted performer, Susan Hayward as Jane Froman is excellent and believable in the principal role of songstress Jane Froman.Rory Calhoun realistically portrays her less talented songwriter husband, and there is a wonderful cameo role with Thelma Ritter as Clancy, Froman's tough personal nurse who helps her to carry on, even after her tragic accident. There is also a nice performance by Robert Wagner as a very young shell-shocked war veteran. This movie is very enjoyable, touching and sincere. Hayward's performance of the title song, as well as several others is not to be missed.This film will always have a special place in my heart as I watched it many times with my Mom when I was young, and as a performer herself, she adored Hayward in all of her films, especially this one and "Tulsa", wherein she portrays a feisty wildcatter/female oil entrepreneur. She was way ahead of her time and will always be remembered fondly. What a talent. Highly recommended. 9/10.