Can't Help Singing

1944
PG
1h 30m

IMDb RATING

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Deanna Durbin, Leonid Kinskey, Robert Paige, and Akim Tamiroff in Can't Help Singing (1944)

A senator's daughter (who can't help singing) follows her boyfriend West in the days of the California gold rush.A senator's daughter (who can't help singing) follows her boyfriend West in the days of the California gold rush.A senator's daughter (who can't help singing) follows her boyfriend West in the days of the California gold rush.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.2/10

678

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 2 nominations total

Top cast90

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Deanna Durbin

Caroline Frost

Robert Paige

Lawlor

Akim Tamiroff

Gregory

David Bruce

Dr. Robert Latham

Leonid Kinskey

Koppa

June Vincent

Miss McLean

Ray Collins

Sen. Martin Frost

Andrew Tombes

Sad Sam

Thomas Gomez

Jake Carstairs

Clara Blandick

Aunt Cissy

Olin Howland

Bigelow
(as Olin Howlin)

George Cleveland

Marshal

Enrique Acosta

Passenger on Pier
(uncredited)

Eddie Acuff

Cavalry Officer
(uncredited)

Richard Alexander

Pioneer
(uncredited)

Michael Ansara

California Caballero
(uncredited)

Gertrude Astor

Pioneer Woman - Warren's Mother
(uncredited)

Roscoe Ates

Lemuel
(uncredited)

User reviews24

Featured review

Deanna given some great Jerome Kern songs in technicolor western musical...

Toward the end of her career at Universal, they finally splurged on technicolor and fancy scenery for an enjoyable, tuneful,colorful western-comedy-romance, 'Can't Help Singing' featuring a musical score by Jerome Kern. Deanna's father (Ray Collins) wants her to forget the Army officer she loves (David Bruce) and sends him off to California during the Gold Rush days. Deanna decides to go west to find him--but en route falls in love with a handsome cowboy (Robert Paige). Against some stunning technicolor scenery, much of the music is given the full treatment by Durbin at her best--her voice was richer than ever. She does a standout job on 'Can't Help Singing', 'More and More', and 'Cali-for-ni-ay' and even duets with Robert Paige for a reprise of the title song (both in outdoor bathing tubs up to their necks in soap bubbles). Some of the comedy routines seem a bit strained and weak--but overall it's a wonderful showcase for Deanna Durbin and her fans certainly should appreciate the chance to see her at her radiant best. AMC shows it in a beautifully restored technicolor print.

Doylenf
Apr 19, 2001
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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
This is Deanna Durbin's only Technicolor vehicle. Unfulfilled plans to showcase her in color, proposed between 1938-53, included these eventually produced films: First Love (1939) (which starred her in black and white), Phantom of the Opera (1943) (Susanna Foster in Technicolor), Up in Central Park (1948) (in black and white), A Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1949) (Rhonda Fleming in Technicolor), Melba (1953) (Patrice Munsel in Technicolor), Kiss Me Kate (1953) (Kathryn Grayson in Anscocolor), The Student Prince (1954) (Ann Blyth in Anscocolor) and Song of Norway (1970) (Florence Henderson in Color by DeLuxe). As reported by A.H. Weiler in "The New York Times" on 8/3/1947, Deanna Durbin was being offered a black-and-white filming in Britain of The Beggar's Opera (1953), which ultimately featured Dorothy Tutin portraying Polly Peachum in Technicolor.

Goofs
After her bath Caroline changes into a clean white dress. However, she has had no access to her trunk where she would have kept her clothing. Such a voluminous dress couldn't have been stored in her hat-box or her small case, her only other luggage.

Quotes
Miss McLean: [to Latham] You know the first time I saw you, you were riding in the park on a beautiful white steed. It was love at first sight. I'm convinced now it was the horse.