Love Me Forever

'Love Me Forever' is alongside 'Louise' and 'One Night of Love' one of Grace Moore's best. This said, while disappointed with 'When You're in Love' (despite it having Cary Grant in it) all of Moore's films are worth seeing at least once.

Sadly, 'Love Me Forever' (or 'On Wings of Song' in the UK) is also her most obscure and it doesn't deserve to be. It is very hard to find, saw it myself on a very old worn out cassette found when sorting through old videos in the attic and decided to watch it on a Grace Moore binge. The song is pure corn admittedly and there are a few moments where it gets sappy.

However, the production values are elegance and sumptuousness personified all round, and Schertzinger directs adeptly. It is very hard to put into words how good the music is, and 'Love Me Forever' also is one of the more successful of her films in how opera is integrated into the storyline. The 'La Boheme' duet and the title song are particularly noteworthy here, and the 'Rigoletto' Quartet is done cleverly.

The script is funny and smart, a standout being the opening, with some tenderness and poignancy, most of it apart from the odd moment avoids the sappy factor.

Moore sings sublimely, and this is the film where every song/aria suits her voice without problem. She is a natural comedienne too, and she delights and charms effortlessly. Leo Carrillo is a splendid leading man, combining comedy and pathos with great skill, while Luis Alberni and Spring Byington are riots in their roles.

Overall, it is sad that 'Love Me Forever' is obscure and hard to find, as it's a very entertaining and beautifully done film and one of Moore's best. 8/10 Bethany Cox