Can't Help Singing is a 1944 American musical Western film directed by Frank Ryan and starring Deanna Durbin, Robert Paige, and Akim Tamiroff. Based on a story by John D. Klorer and Leo Townsend, the film is about a senator's daughter who follows her suitor West in the days of the California gold rush. Durbin's only Technicolor film, Can't Help Singing was produced by Felix Jackson and scored by Jerome Kern with lyrics by E. Y. Harburg.
The movie was one of the most expensive in Universal's history.
Contents
Plot
Set during the early years of the California Gold Rush, the film tells of the adventures of Caroline Frost, the wilful and spoilt daughter of a US Senator. He does not approve of her beau, Lt Robert Latham, of the US cavalry, and persuades President James K. Polk to post Latham to guard gold shipments from the California mines owned by Jake Carstairs.
Caroline travels by train and steamboat and manages to join a wagon-train about to trek overland to the West. She shares a wagon with Johnny (Robert Paige), a debonair but ruthless gambler with whom she falls in love, and two comically inept opportunists, Prince Gregory Stroganovsky and his much put-upon servant Koppa.
At first, she tells Johnny she is engaged to Carstairs. However, no unattached women are allowed to join the wagon train, so Johnny tells everyone she is married to the Prince and she is forced to go along with the ruse.
Eventually, she eventually reaches Sonora, California. Here, her problems are quickly sorted out. After some confusion between Carstairs and his real wife, Caroline decides that she really loves Johnny. Her father, who has followed her, is reconciled.
Cast
Deanna Durbin as Caroline Frost
Robert Paige as Johnny Lawlor
Akim Tamiroff as Prince Gregory Stroganovsky
David Bruce as Lt. Robert Latham
Leonid Kinskey as Koppa
June Vincent as Jeannie McLean
Ray Collins as Sen. Martin Frost
Andrew Tombes as Sad Sam
Thomas Gomez as Jake Carstairs
Clara Blandick as Aunt Cissy Frost
Olin Howlin as Bigelow, the Wagonmaster
George Cleveland as U.S. Marshal
Chester Conklin as Poker Player (uncredited)
Heinie Conklin as Waiter (uncredited)
Edward Earle as President Polk (uncredited)
Robert Homans as Albert (uncredited)
Production
The film was known as Caroline. Jerome Kern signed to write music in September 1943. In October, Frank Ryan was assigned to direct.
In December Jack Yellen signed to do the script.
In March 1944 the title was changed to Can't Help Singing. David Bruce was cast the same month. Universal had traditionally borrowed leading men to appear opposite Durbin but for this film they used contract players Bruce and Robert Paige.
Filming locations
Johnson Canyon, Cascade Falls, Duck Creek, Strawberry Point, Navajo Lake (Utah), and Cedar Breaks in Utah.
Big Bear Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
Lake Arrowhead, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
Reception
Critical response
The Los Angeles Times called it "delightful". Bosley Crowther of The New York Times said of Durbin's singing as "thoroughly pleasing" and the film "gaudy".
Home media
Can't Help Singing was released on VHS on January 25, 1997, by Universal Studios Home Entertainment. The film was released on DVD on September 6, 2016, by Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
Awards and nominations
1946 Academy Award Nomination for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture (Jerome Kern and Hans J. Salter)
1946 Academy Award Nomination for Best Music, Original Song (Jerome Kern and E.Y. Harburg)