CAN'T HELP SINGING

MOVIE INFORMATION:
Universal Studios – 1944
1 Hour, 30 Minutes
Technicolor

MAIN CREDITS:
Producer…Felix Jackson
Director…Frank Ryan
Screenplay…Lewis Foster
Music…H.J. Salter

MAIN CHARACTERS:
Caroline Frost…Deanna Durbin
Johnny Lawlor…Robert Paige
Martin Frost…Ray Collins
Robert Latham…David Bruce
Stroganovsky…Akim Tamiroff
Koppa…Leonid Kinskey
Marshall…George Cleveland
Jake Carstairs…Thomas Gomez

MOVIE SYNOPSIS:
Gold has been found in California and the first shipment is sent to Washington where the President receives it on behalf of the people. At the celebration is Senator Martin Frost. His daughter, Caroline has been sent to the country to prevent Robert Latham of the 4th Cavalry from seeing her. Senator Frost dislikes Robert because he is an opportunist, but Caroline wants to marry him regardless of her father’s objections. The plan to keep them apart comes unstuck when Caroline unexpectedly arrives back in Washington. Robert asks Caroline to meet him the next night, even though the President has requested her to sing at the White House. The next night Caroline pretends to be sick to avoid having to sing for the President so she can see Robert instead. Senator Frost doesn’t fall for the prank and tells Caroline that Robert has been sent out west which causes her to become hysterical. To calm his daughter, Senator Frost suggests she go to the opera and gives her $500 to cover all expenses, but instead she uses the money to travel out west to find Robert. Caroline’s disappearance makes the newspapers and Senator Frost goes searching for her. He also offers $5,000 reward for her safe return. Caroline reaches Missouri and gets two strangers, Stroganovsky and Koppa to help her carry her heavy trunk. They are actually wanted con men who attempt to steal the trunk, but fail even to open it. Caroline learns that Robert has gone to Fort Bridger and decides to buy a wagon to get there, but is tricked into handing over $500 to a man posing as the owner. Later she spots the man who took her money in a saloon playing cards with a man named Johnny Lawlor. Johnny is a card shark who wins the $500 and then Caroline attempts to take the money off him. When it is announced that the Marshall is heading for the saloon, everyone runs off. Caroline leads Johnny to believe that the richest man in the West, Jake Carstairs is the man she is going to marry. He agrees to take her to him for the sum of $10,000. They set off early in a wagon with Stroganovsky and Koppa stowed away in the back. When a wagon train catches up with them, they ask to join it. They pretend that Caroline is married to Stroganovsky, since unattached women are not permitted to be with the wagon train. Johnny and Caroline are not friendly to each other, but that doesn’t stop him from protecting her when the Marshall comes looking for the Senator’s daughter. It soon becomes apparent that Johnny and Caroline are in love, but they still go their separate ways. Caroline travels with a couple to Fort Bridger, but is reluctant to leave Johnny behind. When Caroline reaches Fort Bridger she learns that Robert has already left and decides to return home. Johnny changes his mind and rides at full pace to Fort Bridger to be with Caroline. They express their love for each other and agree to start a new life in California. When they arrive in Sonora, Jake rides into town. Johnny becomes angry with Caroline when he learns that she hasn’t been telling him the truth about Jake. Johnny gets further upset when Robert arrives on the scene. To complicate matters, Senator Frost finally catches up with Caroline. Johnny has had enough of all the competition and punches Robert in the face. In the end, Johnny forgives Caroline and they live happily ever after.

THEATRICAL RELEASE DATE: 25 December 1944.

Can't Help Singing written by Jerome Kern & E.Y. Harburg is brilliantly performed near the start of the movie by a happy Caroline Frost (Deanna Durbin) as she drives a buggy to Washington to see the dashing Robert Latham (Robert Bruce).



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Senator Frost (Ray Collins) orders his daughter to sing for the President.

Caroline changes her mind about seeing the Marshal (George Cleveland) when she overhears that there is a $5000 reward for finding her.



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Johnny Lawlor (Robert Paige) refuses to give Caroline her money.



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Johnny agrees to take Caroline to Fort Bridger:



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Caroline is woken to her horror by some friendly Indians.

Any Moment Now written by Jerome Kern & E.Y. Harburg is beautifully sung by Caroline.



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More and More written by Jerome Kern & E.Y. Harburg is pasionately sung by Caroline who is now deeply in love with Johnny.



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Caroline and Johnny arrive in Sonora as everyone sings Californiay written by Jerome Kern & E.Y. Harburg.



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Jake Carstairs (Thomas Gomez) pretends to be angry with Caroline for not wanting to marry him.



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Caroline and Johnny sing a medley which is a great way to end this brilliant musical.



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Here is a photo of Deanna entering her trailer during the production of CAN'T HELP SINGING:



Much of the filming of CAN'T HELP SINGING was done in the state of Utah, USA.

Deanna Durbin and Robert Paige pat one of the horses during a break in the filming of CAN'T HELP SINGING:

Deanna Durbin relaxes on the set of CAN'T HELP SINGING:

Robert Paige did his own singing with his rich baritone voice. He also did a great job in his role as Johnny Lawlor who falls for the gorgeous Caroline.



CAN'T HELP SINGING was Deanna Durbin's one and only Technicolor movie. The old three-strip process required large cameras. Note the somewhat battered exterior of the camera pointed at Deanna and Robert. That equipment looks to have some miles on it. Technicolor cameras were never in abundant supply. They were rented out to studios by Herbert Kalmus’ company - he owned the trademark and all the hardware. Producers waited in line for the use of his process.

Here is a photo of Deanna Durbin and the Universal film crew preparing for the bath house scene:

An obvious mistake in this movie can be seen when the owner of the Golden Eagle Saloon is warning his customers about the Marshall. You see him holding a cigar in his right hand, but the next camera shot shows him holding the cigar in his left hand. No, it's not smoke and mirrors!!

Deanna Durbin having an early breakfast before starting the day's shooting of CAN'T HELP SINGING:

Part of the thousand extras and cavalry troop in CAN'T HELP SINGING:

Deanna Durbin wearing dark glasses to protect her eyes during the production of CAN'T HELP SINGING:

Deanna Durbin with Frank Ryan and David Bruce try to enjoy their meal break, but a week of box lunches makes the box taste better:

Deanna Durbin with Edgar Fairchild and Frank Ryan share a laugh during a break in shooting scenes:

This photo taken on location in Utah of cameraman Woody Bredell, Deanna Durbin, Associate Producer Frank Shaw, and Director Frank Ryan:

CAN'T HELP SINGING over its December 1944 - January 1945 run at Lowe's Criterion Theatre in Manhattan, broke the attendance record!!!

MEMORABLE LINES:

Jeannie McLean says to Robert Latham, "You know the first time I saw you, you were riding in the park a beautiful white steed. It was love at first sight. I'm convinced now it was the horse."

This is a promotional photo of Deanna Durbin and Robert Paige:

A gorgeous photo of Deanna Durbin and Robert Paige during the production of CAN'T HELP SINGING:

Deanna Durbin with Bill Desmond during a break in filming of CAN'T HELP SINGING:



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Check out this excellent movie trailer for CAN'T HELP SINGING:



INTERESTING NOTE: "Caroline" was the original title.

ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS:
Best Music Song
Best Scoring Musical Picture