If I Had My Way
| If I Had My Way | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical poster for the 1946 re-release |
|
| Directed by | David Butler |
| Produced by | David Butler |
| Written by | David Butler William M. Conselman James V. Kern |
| Starring | Bing Crosby Gloria Jean |
| Cinematography | George Robinson |
| Editing by | Irene Morra |
| Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
| Release date(s) | May 5, 1940 |
| Running time | 93 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
If I Had My Way is a 1940 musical comedy film starring Bing Crosby and Gloria Jean. The film was directed by David Butler.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
Buzz Blackwell, Fred Johnson and Axel Swenson are construction workers who are building a bridge. They are good friends and Buzz and Axel even help Fred raising his daughter Patricia. When Fred tragically dies in a fatal accident, Patricia is forced to live with her relatives in New York City whom she has never met. Buzz and Axel decide to depart with her. They soon arrive at her uncle and aunt Jarvis and Brenda, who are horrible persons. Jarvis is a snobby rich man, while Brenda is supercilious. Jarvis has received a letter from Buzz, warning him for their arrival and wants no part in raising Patricia. As they show up, Jarvis pretends to be someone else and sends them to the other "J. Johnson". This is Joe, Patricia's great uncle and husband of Marian. They are poor ex-vaudevillans but welcome them with open arms. Buzz wants to give Joe Fred's money he left him for Patricia, but finds out a drunken Axel used that money to buy a Swedish restaurant. This restaurant, which is doomed to fail, is now the only money bringer for the Johnsons. Buzz is determined to help them out and turns the restaurant in a night club, but is bothered with Jarvis, he has returned to claim "his" money back.
[edit] Cast
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- Bing Crosby as Buzz Blackwell
- Gloria Jean as Patricia Johnson
- Charles Winninger as Joe Johnson
- El Brendel as Axel Swenson
- Allyn Joslyn as Jarvis Johnson
- Claire Dodd as Brenda Johnson
- Moroni Olsen as Mr. Blair
- Nana Bryant as Marian Johnson
- Donald Woods as Fred Johnson
- Kathryn Adams as Miss Corbett
Special guest appearances by old-time vaudeville stars Blanche Ring, Eddie Leonard and Trixie Friganza
[edit] Release
[edit] Critical reception
Reviewers in 1940 had kind words for Bing and Gloria, but complained about the timeworn storyline. "Although it can hardly be termed an original model," said Boxoffice, [the Crosby film] is nicely tailored to his distinctive brand of comedy and crooning. Bing is ably aided and abetted by Gloria Jean, captivating miss of the silvery voice. In fact the teaming of these two song birds is a ten-strike in smart casting and the resultant feature has much to offer customers of all ages and tastes, with a bonus for the oldsters who will enjoy a nostalgic thrill through the appearances of Blanche Ring, Eddie Leonard, and several other oldtimers whose stars shone brightly during the golden era of the theatah."
Upon the film's recent DVD release, DVD Talk praised Crosby and thought Jean was cute, but criticized the plot and called the film "strictly second-run material".[2]
[edit] Home media
On November 14, 2006, Universal Studios released If I Had My Way as part of the Bing Crosby:Screen Legend Collection on Region 1 DVD. The 3-disc set also includes Double or Nothing (1937), Waikiki Wedding (1937), East Side of Heaven (1939) and Here Come the Waves (1944).[3]
[edit] References
- ^ Turner Classic Movies Overview for If I Had My Way (1940)
- ^ DVD Talk Bing Crosby: screen legend collection: If I Had My Way
- ^ "Three of Hollywood's Most Memorable Leading Men… Fifteen Unforgettable Movies". PR Newswire. Universal Studios Home Entertainment. 20 October 2006. Archived from the original on 2006-10-20. http://www.dignews.com/news/15-films-3-men-headline/. "Universal Studios Home Entertainment celebrates the Golden Age of Hollywood this holiday season with the November 14, 2006 release of “Cary Grant: Screen Legend Collection,” “Bing Crosby: Screen Legend Collection,” and “Rock Hudson: Screen Legend Collection.”"
[edit] External links
- If I Had My Way at the Internet Movie Database
- If I Had My Way at AllRovi
- If I Had My Way at the TCM Movie Database
