A Song Is Born (1948)

Best movie of this year hands down!

Good concept, poorly executed.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

Annoying intro bit with bookish Kaye and the dopey song opening is VERY similar to "Ball of Fire"--and with subpoenaed boyfriend--awfully soon for a remake. strong focus on black musical acts of the day--including Louis Armstrong and Lionel Hampton is that Mayo singing? If so, nice voice liked the music but it did make the film meander a lot--which is bad, as the original film was about the same length WITHOUT the music very multi ethnic"Ball of Fire" is a fantastic classic film. In my review, I gave this one a 9--but nearly gave it a 10 because it was THAT good. The film is a very clever reworking of the Snow White story--set today and with gangsters!! It is an adorable film from start to finish. "A Song is Born" is a remake, and, like too many remakes during this era, it came out not all that long after the original. Now considering that the original was just about perfect and starred Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck, what sane person thought this Danny Kaye remake was a good idea?! Sure, it's pleasant enough--but not nearly as good as the real thing.Both films have plots that are just about identical. A gangster's moll (Virginia Mayo) is hiding out from the police because they are trying to make her testify against her scum-bag boyfriend (Steve Cochran). On a lark, she moves in with a group of professors. In the original, they were working on an encyclopedia--here they are music professors cataloging music. One of them, the youngest (Danny Kaye) eventually falls for this lady--which is a severe problem since her boyfriend is a nut! How does it all work out--see the film.Because this film is less a comedy and more a musical, the film has guest appearances by some pretty amazing musical talent--such as Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton and Benny Goodman! It was also impressive because this was a very multiracial cast who interacted like old friends--something unheard of in 1948. The problem with this, however, is that because there is so much music, there is far less time with comedy--and the adorable old professors were far less adorable and lovable here. The only major plus of this ensemble cast of professors was Danny Kaye. While he was not nearly as good as Cooper, it was sure nice to see Kaye in a MUCH more understated and subtle role than usual. Overall, I'd give this one a 6 (which might be a bit generous--my wife thinks it only earns a 3). It is entertaining but is so unoriginal and unfunny that I say just watch the original and be done with it.

Someone said Danny Kaye was a bit subdued for this film, yes, I think Hawks reigned him in a bit. What is surprising is that Kaye does NOT do any of his regular vocal onslaughts: And this film basically a musical too- Well not really a musical, but having music in it. "Wonder Man" was also not a musical, but Kaye does his usual vocal debauchery in it. In this film, we just have his comedic talents, which are just as good to watch.This film is an almost frame by frame remake of "Ball of Fire" - And so, fans of "Ball of Fire" who compare the two will see how well this is done, even with the major thematic changes made. Some would call this a musical, but it is not really. It is just a film that happens to have music in it. And the music is good, because it it not your usual music written for musicals, with bellowing singers and 150 dancers on a stage set the size of a small aircraft carrier, it is actually something that you can envision happening in a small room in an institution which is pretty much what happens in this film... No big stage productions or fantasy sequences, just plain kick-arse JAZZ.Some of the really funny gags from the original are missing: Mostly the ones that are based on 1941 Slang. What was important to the story, was kept in, and surprisingly it still fit.What makes this one of the most interesting films ever made is the assemblage of Jazz Greats, including the incredible Louis Armstrong.The song "A Song is Born" is about the best song in any "musical" I have heard.

I have seen "Ball of Fire", and I disagree with the previous comment. Even if you HAVE seen the "original", Danny Kaye and Virginia Mayo make this one enjoyable movie! There are quite a few hilarious moments, and the music is just great.While I did see "Ball of Fire", I'd have to say I enjoyed "A Song Is Born" much much more. I'm not a huge fan of Barbara Stanwyck, who was the gangster girlfriend in "..Fire", and I think Virginia Mayo was a great leading lady for Danny Kaye. Even thought her acting was a tad, tiny bit on the wooden side. She's a great "straight man" for Danny's antics.My favorite scene in the movie is when the gangsters have all the professors and musicians captive and they are playing music to effect an escape to rescue Miss Honey from being forced to marry Tony Crow. Great use of "The Anvil Chorus"!! If you've never seen a Danny Kaye movie, this is a good one to start with.

This is an incrediable movie full laughs and wit and humor that never stops!It's Danny Kaye at his best with some of the most incrediable musicians of our time alongside! A must see for the whole family!