Sing Me a Love Song

Possibly if Harry Warren and Al Dubin had written a memorable hit song from this film, Sing Me a Love Song would be better remembered today. As it is the film is a pleasant enough typical Thirties story where department store clerk Patricia Ellis meets and wins the man of her dreams.

Who happens to be James Melton, possessor of a great tenor voice, and the rich young playboy's who's inherited dad's department store. He's decided to go see why the place is losing money and decided to go incognito to work there. What he doesn't realize is that the lawyers for his father's estate want to see the store keep losing money so they can pick it up for themselves at a bargain.

James Melton had a pleasing voice and a good personality. The wonder is why he didn't have a movie career. My guess is he was far more interested in the opera. He starred at the New York Metropolitan Opera for many years and hosted the Bell Telephone Hour on radio as well.

As for the songs, Melton included the old standard Your Eyes Have Told Me So which was a staple at his concerts and Carry Me Back to the Lone Prarie which he introduced in his debut film Stars Over Broadway. Better than the subpar stuff he got from Warren and Dubin.

Warner Brothers gave Melton good support with Allen Jenkins, Zasu Pitts, Nat Pendleton, and especially Walter Catlett as the officious floorwalker. But the best is Hugh Herbert as the kleptomaniac who keeps robbing the store. Herbert also gets to do an Alec Guinness, Kind Hearts and Coronets number also playing several of his family members. Herbert and his family turn out to be the saviors of the store.

Sing Me a Love Song is a pleasant enough film. So typical of the Thirties where working class women always seem to be getting some rich, handsome Prince Charming. And if Charming can clear a high C with no trouble even better.