User reviews

The movie tells the story of Doug Blake (Jack Carson) as he searches for a new radio singer star in order to replace his conceited former friend Gary Mitchell (Lee Bowman), who has just refused to sign another contract. In New York Doug is spellbound by the singing talents of young war widow Martha Gibson (Doris Day). He brings her and her little son Freddy to Hollywood, where Martha and her manager Doug have to go through all the difficulties that an unknown singer has to face on the way to success. Gradually, Doug also falls in love with Martha, who however is more attracted by Gary Mitchell. We can't wait to see, of course, who will finally get the girl ...

The familiar story line (with a musician rising from being a nobody to being a well-known and recognized star) is often delivered in a boring and either over-sentimental or spiritless way by other movies of this kind. In contrast, "My Dream is Yours" combines an original, heart-felt story with a good script and excellent direction. And there is Doris Day at the age of twenty-five! She may already appear quite charming in some of the better-known comedies that were produced ten or fifteen years later. Here her performance is so delightful to look at and her singing so refreshing to listen to that I was overwhelmed. If you like Doris Day, you simply have to see this movie.

One of the best of Doris Day's early Warner Brothers films is My Dream Is Your's. In this one she's a World War II widow with a young son who is also a singer looking for a big break in radio.

In a sense My Dream Is Your's was dated before it hit the theaters in 1949. That thing known as television was starting to spread across the land and someone looking for a break in radio that year would have had to have one's head examined. As many of radio's top personalities were moving to television, there were more opportunities in radio than ever before.

This film was done at the tail end of radio as it ended its thirty year run as an entertainment media. It took several years for radio to redefine itself as a news/entertainment media that it is today. Still the plot is a nice one.

Doris has two men to choose from here, an egotistical radio singer that makes the ladies swoon as Frank Sinatra did played by Lee Bowman and a talent agent who discovers Day and sticks with her played by Jack Carson.

Some of Doris's finest words of praise about her co-workers in her memoirs were written about Jack Carson. This part may have been closer to the real Carson than the usually egotistical blowhards Carson took a patent out on in Hollywood. Doris went out with him a few times in her early days at the studio and she describes him as a sweet, kind, lovable man who unfortunately drank a little too much. Her scenes with Carson show the real affection she had for him though.

Harry Warren made a return visit to the studio where he wrote so much lasting movie music in the Thirties. He wrote the title song which sold a few platters for Doris back in the day(no pun intended) and a few other new songs. Several of his old songs got into the film as well they should because the studio owned them already. One was a nice ballad called I'll String Along With You that Dick Powell introduced and Doris sang as a lullaby to her son. That record also sold pretty well for her. The new songs had lyrics by Ralph Blane.

Jack Warner, not to be outdone by Louis B. Mayer, got a couple of his animated stars to appear in My Dream Is Your's with Day and Carson the same way Jerry Mouse danced with Gene Kelly in Anchors Aweigh. It's done in a very charming child's dream sequence and not to be missed by animation fans of that wascally wabbit known as Bugs Bunny.

My Dream Is Your's also boasts one fine set of character players, as good as you'll find in any film. You can never go wrong with a film that has Adolphe Menjou, S.Z. Sakall, Eve Arden, and Edgar Kennedy all at their finest. This was in fact the farewell film for Edgar Kennedy and you can see how ill he is in his scenes as Doris's uncle.

Maybe if My Dream Is Your's had been done a year later we would have been talking about Carson getting Day a break on television. But the film would have been just as good.

I'm an old Doris Day fan from way back. I loved this movie, because it was sheer, delightful entertainment. It was post-World War 2 and just what the movie-going audience seemed to be "eating up" during that time in our history. First of all, it had a wonderful look to it - the sunny southern California locale, handsome co-star, Lee Bowman and romantic not-so-handsome co-star, Jack Carson. The story has some dark undertones when Doris finds herself duped into believing the object of her desire is nothing more than an egotistical, spotlight-grabbing, soon-to-be "has-been". However, the songs are bright and beautiful and Doris has never had a better showcase for her talent. This movie will take you away to an innocent time, if only for a little while. Try it - you'll like it!

After the success of her first starring role in ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS ('48), Doris is re-united with Jack Carson for another pleasant musical trifle with Doris as the girl singer Carson finds in order to replace conceited band singer (Lee Bowman) who refuses to sign another contract. Along for a few laughs are Eve Arden (more adept than usual with her punch lines) and S.Z. "Cuddles" Sakall, fracturing English and being generally amusing as a radio producer.

The only thing that lifts this out of the ordinary is the cartoon sequence using "Hungarian Rhapsody" as the music for the "Freddy Get Ready" sequence combining live action with the animated Bugs Bunny.

Other than that, if you like Doris Day, she has another tailor-made role as a band singer who gets to sing pleasant ballads like the title tune and adds some fresh appeal to the role of a girl Carson wants to turn into a new singing sensation.

A better than average little musical thanks to the performances of Day, Carson and Lee Bowman--as well as the always enjoyable Eve Arden.

In the late forties Warner Brothers brought out three glossy Technicolor comedies with songs starring Jack Carson which served to introduce to an appreciative public the fresh-faced charm of the young Doris Day before she was a virgin. Ms Day had already been promoted to second billing by the time she made 'My Dream is Yours', which was the second, and by far the least, of this trio; which has a very thin storyline and at 101 minutes is frankly too long, but is so packed with goodies you'll still have a good time.

Even if you're not a fan of Doris's singing (my own favourite of her numbers in this film was the brief hula 'Nagasaki' number) there's Carson himself and a dream supporting cast including Eve Arden delivering her trademark quips while wearing a number of killer outfits, Edgar Kennedy (in his last film), Franklin Pangborn, and even Bugs Bunny and Tweety Pie; although fourth-billed Adolphe Menjou (who gets less screen time than 'Cuddles' Sakall) is rather wasted.

No expense seems to have been spared on the studio scenes, while the second unit have provided a fascinating record of the Los Angeles of the period (including the Brown Derby and Schwab's Drug Store), all in Technicolor.

If you've ever seen the famous clip of Doris Day, Jack Carson, and Bugs Bunny singing together, you've seen part of My Dream is Yours. It's the cutest scene in the movie, a lyrical version of "Hungarian Rhapsody", that reminds audiences of Gene Kelly's adorable dance with Jerry the Mouse in Anchors Aweigh. If you can't find a copy of My Dream is Yours, you should at least watch that song on YouTube. It's very cute.

Lee Bowman plays a big radio star, but his ego gets in the way of renewing his contract, so Jack Carson makes it his mission to find a new star to replace Lee. He finds the unknown, beautiful Doris Day, but she has a son in tow and the radio station doesn't like the idea of signing her on. As Jack tries to help her, they fall in love.

Jack and Doris are always adorable together, and whenever I watch one of their films together, I pretend that they got married in real life and lived happily ever after, even though that's not what really happened. They just have a magical chemistry together that puts you in a good mood and makes you believe in true love. So, for an adorable couple, some memorable songs, and an all-around cute story, rent My Dream is Yours. It's great to watch when you're feeling blue; it's guaranteed to cheer you up!

Warner Brothers made two very, very similar films--one after the other and with the same two stars. In fact, they are so similar, I could easily see viewers confusing the two pictures. "My Dream is Yours" and "It's a Great Feeling" BOTH star Doris Day as a young woman hoping to be discovered and a fast-talking guy, Jack Carson, promises to make her a star. However, "It's a Great Feeling" is more of a comedy and "My Dream is Your Dream" is a bit more of a romance. Both are about equally good in my opinion.

Martha Gibson (Day) has a lovely voice--and Doug (Carson) is determined to try to get her on the radio. However, again and again, Doug is either unable to get her an audition or folks insist she must be a 'name' before they'll put her on the air. Eventually, Doug is able to get Martha a break--when Gary (Lee Bowman) shows up drunk for his show--and after that, her career takes off. But, one problem persists--she's a single mom and Doug insists on finding her the perfect man.

Towards the end of the film, there is an odd animated sequence where Bugs Bunny, Tweety and a bunch of birds appear. Even odder are Day's and Carson's outfits and choreography for this sequence. Unfortunately, the sequence falls flat, as there were much better live-action/cartoon hybrids from the period--such as with Gene Kelly dancing with Jerry Mouse or Esther Williams swimming with Tom and Jerry. This one in "My Dream is Yours" just seems pretty pointless and unnecessary. Fortunately, although this slows down the film and isn't needed, the acting and singing are good throughout the film and it is enjoyable and worth seeing. It won't change your life, but it's nice.

Doris Day in her second film role. and the awesome, versatile Jack Carson...rock hudson must have been busy that week. also Adolphe Menjou, S.Z Sakall, and even Franklin Pangborn; we see him in color, for once! he was the comedic sidekick for SO many black and white films, even with W.C. Fields. and the incredible, edible Eve Arden. check out Carson and Arden in Mildred Pierce, probably their best film ever. When the bigshot star won't renew his contract, they hire Martha, a single mom (Day). and then things get complicated. she's good, talented, and successful, but resents the time away from her kid. keep an eye out for Sandra Gould as the girl in the recording room... she was Gladys Kravitz in Bewitched. some fun scenery of hollywood and LA. its mostly fun, but towards the end, all of a sudden, we're all in a warner brothers cartoon; DD and Carson are dressed up in bunny silly outfits, and do a dance with bugs bunny. its pretty out there. and Gene Kelly would do it again in Anchors A-weigh, two years later. keep the other eye out for chester clute... he starts talking to Martha in the club, right near the end. but she's not listening. similar story to a star is born, where the younger singer's career is rising, while the older man's is waning.

I love this movie....it is very sweet and endearing. Doris Day was just lovely. She was the quintessential girl-next-door, an all American girl of the 1950's.

In regard to the question about her son in the film, in case no on responded to the latest posting....It was Jack Carson's character I believe who made reference to the boy's dad being killed in the war.

There was no other mention of it...and strange that the boy would ask Jack Carson if HE was his father. But the boy was only about 4 years old and could have meant, "are you going to be my father?"

The cartoon segment was a lot of fun, and the happy ending was rewarding.

They certainly don't make sweet films like this anymore.

I came to love Doris in reverse order, first her television sitcom, then her winning trifecta of Rock Hudson-Tony Randall movies, and now taking it from the top and watching all her films in order. Doris is an amazing entertainer, talented actress and gifted singer.

I loved ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS! It was an almost perfect film with all the right stars and a perfect balance of comedy and music. It left me smiling and feeling uplifted. Just the opposite feeling followed MY DREAM IS YOURS, which boasted the same director and many of the same stars. What went so wrong with this picture? Answer: The eminently unlikeable Martha Gibbons, the girl we're supposed to be rooting for to win fame and fortune.

No reflection on the actress Doris Day, but the character of Martha was an impossible one to warm up to and cheer. Overlooking her breaking the rules of her job by auditioning on Franklin Pangborn's time, her first crime then becomes her colossal gall in presuming she could bring her son Freddy along on the trip to Hollywood on Doug's dime. Instead of disclosing to Doug that she's a single mother with a child and asking if he could accompany her, maybe offering to pay his fare, she just shows up at the airport with him presuming that of course he'll be going. Couple that with the fact Martha gets to the airport only moments before departure and then loses her son in the airport. Who tells a four-year-old to wait at the baggage counter while she and her uncle take off to do what?

Interestingly, this same scenario played out again twenty years later in the "Doris Gets a Job" episode of THE DORIS DAY SHOW. After accepting a job but neglecting to disclose to new employer McLean Stevenson that she's a single mom with two kids, she suddenly ambushes her new boss with kids in tow and displays the same presumptuousness: This is my situation, deal with it.

Displaying his own brand of inconsideration, Doug parks Martha with his business partner Vi. Eve Arden played well the put-upon friend forced to suffer insufferable indignities. Martha packed her baggage like the star she aspired to be, and festooned Vi's room with framed pictures and clothes hanging from the light fixture. Adding insult to injury, after the two women crawl into their beds, Martha decides on a whim to pluck up the phone and make a long-distance call to her son in New York. Only after a glare from Vi does Martha say she'll reverse the charges. What nerve. And what a lack of consideration in (a) subjecting Vi to her inane chatter and obnoxious apple chomping, and (b) waking up her son because, assuming Martha and Vi went to bed at 10 o'clock, it would be one in the morning in New York!

Doug, laser-beam focused on moonshotting Martha to stardom, later boosts her morale by moving Freddy, Uncle Charlie, and their proto-Ladadog to Hollywood where they all pile into Vi's already crowded quarters. The ever-increasing impositions are played for laughs, brushed off as an "investment," but nagging at me was Martha's narcissism and implication she didn't care or even notice she was upending the lives of others.

To be fair, Martha did feel compelled to land a singing gig on her own at a dive bar Doug wouldn't even consider. I believe she sincerely wanted to earn some money to repay the generosity of her hosts. That led to a highlight scene of Doris exchanging witty barbs with future TV producer Sheldon Leonard. Getting a drink tossed in her face by a hapless husband's Helga wife was both humiliating and humbling and Martha learned to trust Doug's leading.

But Doug's leading was often compromised by his simmering feud with radio singer Gary Mitchell. Martha's infatuation with Mitchell only exacerbated the two men's clash of titanic egos. I initially thought Martha, out of consideration for Doug, should end the relationship with Gary, but she was star-struck and swooning and who knows, maybe Gary's singing on the Hour of Enchantment helped heal her broken heart in the wake of her husband's death in the war? I withheld judging Martha on this count, despite the pain it caused Doug, suspecting that these lopsided love triangles will eventually right themselves for the better.

It's no spoiler to say Martha achieved the superstardom she felt was her due. I was happier for Doug and Vi than for Martha. I just couldn't celebrate the underdog getting her day like I did in ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS. Martha was too brassy and unsympathetic a character to win me over to her side.

Charming, breezy musical, Doris' second film, in some ways a retelling of her rise. She's sassy and relaxed with the full glamour treatment. Unlike a great many musicals from the golden era this does show that there is some struggle involved to make it to the top even though Doris never looks less than immaculate and because of her enormous talent her fate is never really in question. Eve Arden is priceless as always as the faithful, elegant sidekick. Look quick for Sandra Gould, the future Gladys Kravitz in Bewitched. Full of wonderful songs, the number Doris, Jack Carson and Bugs Bunny perform together is like a fever dream, and the very cool Ada Leonard orchestra, an all woman outfit. This is purportedly the basis for Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.

Doris Day's second feature may have been written expressly for the hot new talent, what with a feisty character similar to her own personality involved in familiar circumstances. Radio show producer Jack Carson loses his temperamental star and has to find a new and exciting singer, 'accidentally' hearing perky Doris delivering a ditty and giving her a break. Playing a single mom and working girl, Day eventually goes to Hollywood yet doesn't forget her old chum, who has become a romantic partner. Extremely minor offering from Warner Bros. overdoses a bit on Day's natural spunk, though she does have a few nice numbers and works very comfortably with Carson. This is the movie with the elaborate Bugs Bunny dream sequence, which doesn't have a lot to do with what's going on but is colorful nevertheless. ** from ****

Another early Warner Brothers musical with Doris Day and Jack Carson, but something is missing here and I don't know if it is a third person, like Dennis Morgan or what. Maybe I am judging this film against "It's A Great Feeling", and I shouldn't, but this is just not the movie that it could have been. It is nice to see the ever dependable Eve Arden and "Cuddles" Sakall in it and I do enjoy the two leads very much. It even has Bugs Bunny in it also--but then why not, he was, and still is, a Warner Brothers player also--LOL. Still a nice little movie to while away the time.

Per IMDb, this is Day's second movie. Since I know her mostly from her work in the 60s in movies and TV, it was fascinating to see her a bit younger in a 1949 flick. Full disclosure, I am a huge Doris Day fan. Her sweet and sometimes sassy personality combined with her beauty and voice strike the troika of near perfection for me.

I am not a big fan of "musicals" but this one was entertaining. The music was blended smoothly into the movie and advanced the plot. Day had great chemistry with the other actors, and I found myself rooting for her and her agent and pulling for a happy ending. This movie had a 50's-60's feel to me, a little ahead of its time. I enjoyed being immersed in the culture of 1949. I was also surprised that I did not find Day as attractive at this age as I found her when she was 10-20 years older.

I suppose this is a pretty traditional drama/musical for its time and not particularly groundbreaking, but I found it entertaining, unexpectedly so.

About my reviews: I do not offer a synopsis of the film -- you can get that anywhere and that does not constitute a meaningful review -- but rather my thoughts and feelings on the film that hopefully will be informative to you in deciding whether to invest 90-180 minutes of your life on it.

My scale: 1-5 decreasing degrees of "terrible", with 5 being "mediocre" 6- OK. Generally held my interest OR had reasonable cast and/or cinematography, might watch it again 7 - Good. My default rating for a movie I liked enough to watch again, but didn't rise to the upper echelons 8- Very Good. Would watch again and recommend to others 9- Outstanding. Would watch over and over; top 10% of my ratings 10 - A Classic. (Less than 2% receive this rating)

Singing radio host Gary Mitchell callously dumps his agent Doug Blake (Jack Carson). Doug sets off to find a new singer making a tour of the New York nightclubs. In a diner, he finds Martha Gibson (Doris Day) singing from a remote jukebox. She's a single mom and is forced to leave her son behind with her uncle as she makes the rounds in Hollywood. Doug convinces Girl Friday Vivian Martin (Eve Arden) to take in Martha.

I didn't know some early jukebox record is done that way. It's like an early streaming service. This is a fine Doris Day post-war musical. She has the sweetheart voice and sweetheart personality. The single mom angle adds some much-needed depth to an otherwise bland straight forward story. I wouldn't mind more Vi. Quite frankly, she's a better match for Doug. Bugs Bunny makes a cameo with Tweety Bird in an animated section. This is supposed to be a takedown of the music business, but it's done with kiddie gloves. It's light. It's harmless. It's fine.

This musical comedy starring Doris Day is best remembered for the dream sequence combining animation and live action, meaning that Bugs Bunny gets to dance with Day and costar Jack Carson to the tune of the Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 . The title song sticks with you as well. ---from Musicals on the Silver Screen, American Library Association, 2013

The cast, the film's swiping at radio and film, that it was a musical (something that would fill some people's heads with dread but count me as a fan) and that it was directed by Michael Curtiz are reasons enough to see 'My Dream is Yours'. While all have done better work, most of the film has enough to make it a very well done worthwhile film.

Adolphe Menjou is pretty wasted and does little with his role, that if given more to do in material and given more screen time could have been really juicy. The satirical elements do fare very nicely and induces a great deal of amusement, but there are parts that could have had more bite, some of it was a little too on the safe, gentle side. 'My Dream is Yours', as has been noted, is not perfect but has a lot that works.

However, 'My Dream is Yours' is a beautiful-looking film, the colour is lavish and the production and costume designs as elegant as can be. Curtiz directs admirably once again, again more proof that he could direct musicals very competently and was undervalued.

Very memorable songs help, especially the lovely "I'll String Along With You". Choreographically it's exuberantly witty and graceful, with one of the highlight scenes being the sheer dazzling delight that is the animated sequence.

'My Dream is Yours' is scripted with much nostalgic charm, a pleasant wit that does bite with Eve Arden and it avoids being too sentimental or saccharine. The story is nothing special, but is light on its feet and has such a warm heart that one cannot help being endeared to it.

Doris Day has a natural sweetness and sassy spunk that suits her down to the ground, and her singing as always is heavenly. Jack Carson is somewhat unconventional as a leading man in the type of role he has here, but he displays immense likability here. Eve Arden is classy and sharp in wit, and while it is a samey role for him it is the curmudgeonly role that SZ Sakall excels in very well.

On the whole, very pleasant and fun, well worth catching. 8/10 Bethany Cox

When radio singer Lee Bowman refuses to renew his contract, talent scout Jack Carson ventures out to look for a new star. He finds Doris Day - a significant improvement! The story is similar to "A Star Is Born". How Ms. Day goes undiscovered for so long with such a striking voice is not convincing. Day is a single parent (in the film, it is stated that she lost her husband during World War II), which helps set up the film's highlight - a cute dream sequence for her son features an animated Bugs Bunny. The soundtrack isn't exceptional, but Day performs the songs well. "My Dream Is Yours" is colorful and routine.

**** My Dream Is Yours (1949) Michael Curtiz ~ Doris Day, Jack Carson, Eve Arden

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie - I thought Doris Day/Jack Carson were especially great and who cannot mention the great Eve Arden who is always a jewel as well as Cuddles!! The movie is great entertainment and I loved it. While this movie is over 50 years of age, it still is current and upbeat and fun. The pace of the film is quick and lively; the singing is great and the storyline good. I wish the films of today would be a repeat of My Dream is Yours - I know that times have changed, but music is music and it seems that musical pictures are a thing of the past and what a shame that is but then I guess musical talent such as Doris Day/Judy Garland, etc. are no longer available. That, too, is a shame.

I caught this little number the other night and, well, because I like Jack Carson, I'll give it a passing grade. Besides that, however, it really doesn't have that much to offer. For starters, I wasn't convinced at all by the male lead who plays a radio singer -- I'd never seen him before -- who is he? Secondly, Doris Day's personality is always sparkly when she plays this kind of role but I for one have never really understood her appeal as a singer although it was interesting seeing her attempt bouncy jive songs more suited to Betty Hutton. And like I said, Jack Carson, like George Brent, seemed to be in every Warner movie but never got the respect they deserved. I've seen Carter in many and he's a great singer/showman as well. As for SZ "cuddles" Sakall, a little of him goes a long way with me. Finally, maybe I dozed off but somewhere the movie lost me; just when did Doris fall in love with Gary? And then she conveniently ends up with Carter. Too pat. She should have liked Carter all along. All in all, not a total turkey, but not that great either. And poor Eve Arden - she could phone these parts in.

Yes, we've seen this plot a million times. No, this isn't a remake of "Smash-Up" (not sure where an earlier user came up with that), but it does have a bit in common with a film like "Holiday Inn" and the various "Star is Born" incarnations. Eve Arden is always a pleasure, playing her usual stock character. Jack Carson also plays the same smarmy guy, but this time he gets the girl, surprisingly. Perhaps I missed a line of dialogue, but I am shocked that the film doesn't explain Day's young son; to my knowledge, no mention is made of who the father is/was. Being that this film was made in 1949, that's quite amazing. Unwed mother? Father died in the war? At one point, the kid even asks Jack Carson's character if he's the father! The dream sequence with Bugs Bunny isn't much, as I was expecting a full-fledged animated scene. Overall, though, worth a watch I wonder how many times they used that Coconut Grove set at Warners?