RHYTHM ON THE RIVER (Paramount, 1940), directed by Victor Schertzinger, is not a musical set on a riverboat floating down the Mississippi as the title may imply, but a story about song writing set mostly in New York City. Starring Bing Crosby in this well-intentioned but underrated musical about ghostwriting, its title might have suited Crosby's earlier riverboat musical MISSISSIPPI (1935) or a rarely seen Barbara Stanwyck BANJO ON MY KNEE (20th Century-Fox, 1936), RHYTHM ON THE RIVER is basically a series of "Rhythm" titles used for several Paramount musicals at that time, including Crosby's similarly titled RHYTHM ON THE RANGE (1936) or DOCTOR RHYTHM (1938). In fact, RHYTHM ON THE RIVER is actually one of the songs used for this production, which may not be as memorable or noteworthy as some others selected as part of its story.
The story revolves around Oliver Courtney (Basil Rathbone), a popular songwriter in demand for composing tunes for an upcoming Broadway show. Unknown to many, his melodies are actually composed by Bob Summers (Bing Crosby) with lyrics written by another, for which Courtney takes credit. Working for Courtney only a year, Summers refuses to be tied down to a contract, promising never to reveal who's been writing the songs to Courtney's music. When his lyricist dies, Courtney hires Sherry Lane (Mary Martin) to ghost write the words to his songs at $50 a week. Living in her aunt's boarding house where she has rented a room next to her band players (Harry Barris and Willy Mannone) constantly playing "Hold That Tiger," she's unable to concentrate on her work. Courtney suggests she go to Nobody's Inn in Tarrytown where she can compose in peace and quiet. Unknown to her, the Inn, managed by Bob's uncle (Charley Grapewin) and his wife, also lives there. Upon their acquaintance, and learning about their ghost writing profession for Courtney, it is decided they leave Courtney and have their own songs published instead. Problems arise when Bob and Cherry are unable to sell their songs to publishers for having all the earmarks Oliver Courtney while Oliver Courtney is having problems of his own unable to score anything on his own.
The supporting players include the droll Oscar Levant as Courtney's assistant, Billy Starbuck; Oscar Shaw, Lillian Cornell, William Frawley, Jeanne Cagney, Charles Lane, and John Scott Trotter, among others. The name Oscar Shaw may be unfamiliar to many, but somewhat known by anybody who's seen his last movie opposite The Marx Brothers in THE COCOANUTS (Paramount, 1929) where Shaw and Mary Eaton sang a duet to Irving Berlin's "When My Dreams Come True."
On the musical program: "What Would Have Shakespeare Have Said?" (sung by Bing Crosby, reprised by Lillian Cornell); "That's For Me" (sung by Mary Martin); "Hold That Tiger" (instrumental); "Only Forever" (sung by Bing Crosby); "When the Moon Comes Over Madison Square," "Rhythm on the River" (both sung by Crosby); "Ain't It a Shame About Mame?" "I Don't Want to Cry Anymore" (both sung by Mary Martin); and "Only Forever: (sung by Crosby and Martin). Of the many songs, "That's for Me" is actually better than the others, along with "Ain't it a Shame About Mame," while the slow in tempo "Only Forever" was good enough to be honored an Academy Award nomination as Best Song of 1940.
With this being another song promotion musical provided by Bing Crosby, RHYTHM ON THE RIVER is more a showcase for Mary Martin, in her second movie role. Though her mannerisms resemble that of actress Jean Arthur, especially when accusing Crosby's character as a masher, she does benefit well musically with a style all her own. What also makes RHYTHM ON THE RIVER quite enjoyable is the casting of Basil Rathbone, known for playing villains, swashbucklers and Sherlock Holmes in a series of mysteries during the 1940s, seen to good advantage in a lightweight comedic performance. Director Schertzinger reteamed Crosby and Martin once more for another musical winner, BIRTH OF THE BLUES (Paramount, 1941), where they once again perform well together.
RHYTHM ON THE RIVER, with last cable broadcasts on The Movie Channel (1992) and American Movie Classics (1993-1994), formerly available on video cassette, can be found on DVD (with Crosby's RHYTHM ON THE RANGE on its flip side), making this a good companion piece to Crosby's easy-going screen personality and the type of movies that made him famous. (*** song sheets)
