Bob Sommers (Bing Crosby) is a talented but unambitious songwriter who makes his living penning tunes for others. Cherry Lane (Mary Martin) is an aspiring musician, and also one who ghostwrites. Both happen to be working for a composer (Basil Rathbone) who has a bad case of writer's block. Neither Bob nor Cherry knows about one another, until they meet by chance, fall for each other and begin to collaborate in hopes of making it in the music business on their own.
Discussion Date
February 27
Discussion Time
7:00 pm
Location
Virtual Event
on the event date, use the button below to join the discussion
movie details
starring
Bing Crosby, Mary Martin, Basil Rathbone
creative team
Directed by: Victor Schertzinger
Music composed by: Victor Young
Producer: William LeBaron
run time
1 hour, 32 minutes
Film Introductions
by Bill Rudman
Really? Our beloved Mary Martin—Broadway’s Nellie Forbush, Maria von Trapp and Peter Pan—was a film star as well?
Yes, indeed—or at least Paramount tried hard to make her one. Between 1939 and 1946, Mary made nine movies. All of them are at least serviceable, and some of them—like Rhythm on the River—are pretty terrific.
The key to this one is the chemistry between Mary and Bing Crosby, whom she adored. The premise is clever: She’s a lyricist, he’s a composer, and they don’t get to know each other until they learn that each of them has been ghostwriting for a famous but burned-out songwriter played by Basil Rathbone. They become disenchanted with the way he’s treating them, but they become enchanted with each other.
Come meet the “other Mary”—the Hollywood singer and actress—and see what you think…
How the Program Works
Join the Mailing list
On the appropriate Thursday, email list subscribers will receive an email with a video introduction from Bill Rudman. This video introduction gives an inside look at what to expect before viewing the film.
Watch the Film at Home
TMTP will provide a list of sites from which that month's film can be rented or purchased.
Join the Live Discussion
The following Thursday, Bill Rudman will host a live discussion via Zoom to discuss the film in real time!