A Musical for Any Mood: ‘Rhythm on the River’ From 1940

Golden age films

Is there a movie that you always enjoy watching, no matter what your mood is? “Rhythm on the River” from 1940 is such a movie, a little-known gem that belongs in every classic movie lover’s collection.

This movie stars Bing Crosby, Mary Martin, Basil Rathbone, and Oscar Levant. This is only the second movie that Broadway star Mary Martin made. British actor Basil Rathbone is best known for playing swashbuckling villains and portraying Sherlock Holmes in 14 movies, but he plays a different kind of clever scoundrel in this story. Acid-witted pianist Oscar Levant practically plays himself in his hilarious role as the wisecracking sidekick. Crosby, of course, shows off his famous baritone singing, but he also shows off a hidden musical talent of his, playing the drums.

Bob Sommers (Bing Crosby) and Cherry Lane (Mary Martin), in “Rhythm on the River.” (Paramount Pictures)

A Songwriter’s Story

Oliver Courtney (Basil Rathbone) is one of the top songwriters on Tin Pan Alley. He’s had countless hits, and he is now writing the score for a big Broadway show. However, he has a secret known only by his sarcastic righthand man, Billy Starbuck (Oscar Levant). For years, he’s been writing neither his music nor his lyrics. He has relied on ghostwriters since his sweetheart left him and took his inspiration with her, but he’s been getting all the accolades and the wealth.

During the past year, Courtney’s melodies have been supplied by Bob Sommers (Bing Crosby), a carefree young songwriter who just wants to earn enough money to build a little boat for sailing and fishing on the river. Just when everything is going well, Courtney’s lyricist dies, so he seeks a new source for his words in Cherry Lane (Mary Martin), a fan of his who keeps sending him her poems.

Bob thinks Courtney writes his songs’ words, and Cherry thinks he writes the music; both are sworn to secrecy as well-paid ghostwriters. However, the musical crook’s profitable arrangement is in danger of being disrupted when Cherry escapes the noise of the jazz band that has moved in next door to her by going to Nobody’s Inn, a quaint hideaway run by Bob’s curmudgeonly uncle (Charley Grapewin). Bob is also staying there, so it’s only a matter of time before they discover the secret that they’ve been collaborating on.

(L–R) Bob Sommers (Bing Crosby), Millie Starling (Lillian Cornell), Uncle Caleb (Charley Grapewin), and Cherry Lane (Mary Martin), in “Rhythm on the River.” (Paramount Pictures)

Music in Your Heart

Any movie with rhythm in its title is bound to be full of catchy tunes. Since the story is about songwriters, “Rhythm on the River” is a great musical showcase for its stars. It features seven original songs, six of which feature music by James V. Monaco and lyrics by Johnny Burke. The catchiest song is “That’s for Me,” the first of Courtney’s songs for which Cherry writes the lyrics. I warn you that you’ll be humming it long after the movie ends. The score’s tender love song is “Only Forever,” a sentimental ballad that Bob and Cherry write and sing together.

Also featured in the score are “What Would Shakespeare Have Said,” “When the Moon Comes Over Madison Square,” “Ain’t It a Shame About Mame,” and “I Don’t Want to Cry Anymore.” The last of these was written by the film’s director and producer, Victor Schertzinger. In some later scenes, Martin and Crosby are accompanied by John Scott Trotter, a real bandleader, and his orchestra.

The title song is performed in a pawn shop by Crosby and a jazz band led by Harry Barris, who formed Paul Whiteman’s Rhythm Boys with Crosby and Al Rinker before the former became a solo radio star. Wingy Manone, another famous jazz musician, plays the comical co-owner of the band. In addition to singing, Bing shows off his percussive skills in this number, as he grabs some sticks and drums on anything he can find in the store.

(L–R) Bob Sommers (Bing Crosby), Cherry Lane (Mary Martin), and Billy Starbuck (Oscar Levant), in “Rhythm on the River.” (Paramount Pictures)

A Laugh a Minute

One of the reasons that I love this movie is how funny it is. The humor isn’t slapstick or goofy physical comedy. It’s very clever, intelligent humor conveyed through witty dialogue, which isn’t surprising when you realize that Billy Wilder was one of the writers.

The comical dialogue is even funnier because of its effective delivery by the very diverse actors. Crosby, Martin, and even Rathbone display impressive comedic timing. Without a doubt, however, the funniest cast member is Levant. Every one of his lines is a hilarious wisecrack, which he delivers dryly as if he were just adlibbing. He also demonstrates how to make amazing classical piano technique very funny!

This is a delightful movie, which gives a laugh a minute, but it is also a charming and heartwarming story about two young songwriters who inspire each other.

"Rhythm on the River" is a movie about songwriters who write catchy tunes. (Paramount Pictures)

Watch “Rhythm on the River” for free on YouTube with foreign subtitles or on ok.ru.

‘Rhythm on the River’ Director: Victor Schertzinger Stars: Bing Crosby, Mary Martin, Basil Rathbone Running Time: 1 hour, 32 minutes Not Rated Release Date: Sept. 6, 1940 Rating: 5 out of 5