Sing, You Sinners

1938
Approved
1h 28m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Bing Crosby, Ellen Drew, Fred MacMurray, and Donald O'Connor in Sing, You Sinners (1938)

Of the singing Beebe brothers, young Mike just wants to be a kid; responsible Dave wants to work in his garage and marry Martha; but reckless Joe thinks his only road to success is through s... Read allOf the singing Beebe brothers, young Mike just wants to be a kid; responsible Dave wants to work in his garage and marry Martha; but reckless Joe thinks his only road to success is through swapping and gambling. It seems the only thing all three can join in is their singing act, ... Read allOf the singing Beebe brothers, young Mike just wants to be a kid; responsible Dave wants to work in his garage and marry Martha; but reckless Joe thinks his only road to success is through swapping and gambling. It seems the only thing all three can join in is their singing act, which Mike and Dave hate. Finally, all Joe's hopes are pinned on a race horse he's acquire... Read all

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

261

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win

Trivia
The role of Mike Beebe, played by Donald O'Connor, was originally meant for Mickey Rooney. But Rooney was scheduled to make another picture at the same time.

Connections
Referenced in The John Garfield Story (2003)

Soundtracks
Shall We Gather at the River
(uncredited)
Traditional hymn,
Written by Robert Lowry
Sung by cast

User reviews13

Review

Featured review

6/10

Worth it if only for the novelty of seeing a very young Donald O'Connor

This film featured Crosby, Fred MacMurray and a 13-year old Donald O'Connor (!) as a trio of brothers who sing, dance and play instruments to bring money into their household. Their mother, played by Elizabeth "Miss Trumbull" Patterson, is widowed and has spent all the money her husband left her on paying for music lessons for her sons. MacMurray also works as a mechanic at a garage, a job he prefers over singing. Crosby plays one of those ne'er-do-well types who is always at the track trying to win money or some other money making scheme in lieu of actually holding down a 9-5 job. Mother Patterson desperately wishes Crosby would follow the lead of the responsible MacMurray. O'Connor plays their kid brother who just wants to be a kid and doesn't want the pressure of having to perform in order to earn money to support the family. All three of the brothers express disdain for having to be singers, stating that "they want to be men", whatever that meant in 1938.

It was crazy seeing Donald O'Connor as a child in this film. He got to do a little bit of hoofing, mostly while holding an accordion. MacMurray "plays" the clarinet (not sure if he was actually playing or not, I know MacMurray played saxophone) and Crosby sings. MacMurray also sang at one point, but his voice was not as good (obviously) as Crosby's.

One thing I think is strange in studio era films is the trend of having the lead actor/actress playing an oldest sibling who is at least 20 years older than all the other siblings. In this film, Crosby's character has to at least be in his 30s and I'm guessing MacMurray's character was probably supposed to be a little bit younger, but probably late 20s - early 30s. Then there's O'Connor who is only 13 and looks it. Why the huge age difference? Patterson looks like she could be the brothers' grandmother! I also thought it was odd that the racetrack would allow a 13-year old to be a jockey.