With a Song in My Heart (1952)

Musicals aren't quite as impressive when one has the knowledge that the lead's singing has been dubbed, in this case Susan Hayward, by the singer she portrays, Jane Froman. Essentially though, that means Hayward may as well have received her Oscar nomination for excellent lip-syncing, since there isn't much to her character, a goody-two-shoes who suffered tragic injuries in a plane crash, and her supposedly remarkable imitation of Froman is lost in this day and age when not many people remember even Hayward, much less Froman.Thankfully, Thelma Ritter comes to the rescue once again, and she also receives an Oscar nomination for bringing her trademark brand of tough love to the story as Hayward's nurse. It is somewhat to Hayward's detriment though, since her more dramatic scenes involve her recuperation but Ritter almost always outshines her (or at least, out-talks her).Otherwise, this movie is pretty uninteresting, though it probably meant more to people back then who actually knew Jane Froman was or could appreciate a pretty standard overcoming-adversities story. Nice outfits though, and young Rory Calhoun was pretty hot.You should probably only watch this if you're a fan of Hayward or Ritter (or the even rarer Jane Froman fan).

Always an interesting and gifted performer, Susan Hayward as Jane Froman is excellent and believable in the principal role of songstress Jane Froman.Rory Calhoun realistically portrays her less talented songwriter husband, and there is a wonderful cameo role with Thelma Ritter as Clancy, Froman's tough personal nurse who helps her to carry on, even after her tragic accident. There is also a nice performance by Robert Wagner as a very young shell-shocked war veteran. This movie is very enjoyable, touching and sincere. Hayward's performance of the title song, as well as several others is not to be missed.This film will always have a special place in my heart as I watched it many times with my Mom when I was young, and as a performer herself, she adored Hayward in all of her films, especially this one and "Tulsa", wherein she portrays a feisty wildcatter/female oil entrepreneur. She was way ahead of her time and will always be remembered fondly. What a talent. Highly recommended. 9/10.

This was one of Fox's highest grossers, and, for Fox, a really good musical. Susan Hayward was never more beautiful, and the story was basically an accurate biography of Jane Froman. An on-set mishap occurred during the title song, and was noticed by all in attendance but rather than re-shoot this lavish number, it was decided to let it stay in the film because no one in the audience would notice it. They were right. No one saw it then. However, as Richard Allan lifts Susan Hayward off the floor, an overhead camera sees her left breast slip out of the low-cut gown, then drop back in. On a DVD, it will, I'm sure, be even more noticeable.Mishap notwithstanding, this is a musical full of standards from the thirties and forties, sung to perfection by Jane Froman herself, and giving Miss Hayward a visually electrifying number in a red dress against a yellow-gold sunburst. WOW!

"With a Song in My Heart" (1952) finds director Walter Lang at the helm.Famous singer Jane Froman is asked by the USO to entertain the troops during WWII. On her way to join the tour her plane crashes in the waters off Lisbon, Portugal. Jane, along with other passengers and crew, lives but her legs are badly injured. It looks like her tour of duty is over before it even starts. But, don't count Jane out yet! Don Ross is Jane's husband. He started the new, young singer off on her career. Next we have Clancy who becomes Jane's nurse and right-hand woman. She will be there to nurse and encourage Jane back to health. Clancy will, also, firmly discourage her from feeling sorry for herself.John Burn comes on the scene as the plane's injured pilot. He gets to know Jane at the Lisbon hospital they're in together. Of course, we wonder, will they fall for each other? (I wondered what Don would think if they did.) After several operations Jane decides to take a break. It's time to start her part of the USO tour. (And take a break from doctors and hospitals.) This isn't going to be easy but Clancy will be there to keep the ball rolling and give the needed orders. From here on we learn about USO entertainers. Things that happened to them: Jeeps stuck in mud. Soldiers waylaid by Clancy to get their jeep out of the mud. How Jane strengthened wounded soldiers and by overcoming her own problems to entertain them. What courage she showed on the USO Tours and during subsequent leg surgeries she would have to endure.And, from beginning to end, we get to watch Susan Hayward do a dandy job of being Jane as Susan lip-syncs to the songs with the voice of Jane Froman. These recordings were made for the movie soundtrack.Is this biographical film factual? No! But it's hard to find actual, factual, filmed biographies. Is it worth watching? Yes. If for no other reason than to see Susan Hayward and hear Jane Froman sing. I enjoyed this movie mainly because of the acting and music. Then we have Thelma Ritter who made every movie she was in special. This cast includes: Susan Hayward as Jane Froman; Rory Calhoun as John Burn; David Wayne as Don Ross; Thelma Ritter as Clancy; Robert Wagner as the GI paratrooper; Helen Westcott as Jennifer March; Una Merkel as Sister Marie.