Night and Day

The trouble with Hollywood biopics of famous composers/songwriters is that they were always desperately trying to conceal the fact that their subjects were either physically unattractive, or Jewish, or (as here) gay (when they had a songwriter who was all three, Larry Hart, they threw up their hands and cast Mickey Rooney). Here the much-married Cary Grant was an obvious choice for Cole Porter. However one doesn't watch such biopics for the obviously fictionalised life story, but for the musical interludes and here 'Night and Day' seriously falls down. Cole Porter was one of the greatest songwriters of the last century, but Warners, unlike say MGM, did not have the musical talent under contract capable of doing him justice: no Roger Edens for the arranging or Robert Alton to stage the numbers. Warners gave the film a big budget, Technicolor (their Gershwin biopic 'Rhapsody in Blue' had to do with B&W) and one of their most reliable directors, Michael Curtiz (Casablanca, The Adventures of Robin Hood). Unfortunately, musicals was not his forte, and the numbers are unimaginatively and tastelessly staged by LeRoy Prinz. You only have to look at the complete mess they make of the marvellous 'Begin the Beguine' (compare it with the Fred Astaire-Eleanor Powell version of the number in 'Broadway Melody of 1940') or the dire staging of 'I've Got You under my Skin' and 'I Get a Kick out of You'. Ginny Sims handles most of the numbers and is far from being a major musical talent, and minor contributions come from Jane Wyman ( before she eschewed glamour and went after Oscars) and Eve Arden. The only genuine musical star on view is Mary Martin reprising her famous 'My Heart belongs to Daddy'. Added to which Porter's peerless lyrics are truncated and occasionally bowdlerised - the final insult.

If you love Cole Porter's music you will love this film. His lyrics are fantastic and manages to get the most unlikely words to rhymne. Good family film or one for those who just want something fairly light-hearted.

Yes, of course, modern films are much more authentic and 'real' looking but it's still a very good nostalgic treat. I got it out for my mum who was delighted but I enjoyed it too. And Cary Grant is sooooo easy on the eye!

I have to agree with the other reviewers - this isn't a patch of 'DeLovely' and doesn't even really work as a musical since most of the songs appear in rather throwaway moments. There's a rather melancholic atmosphere and you never feel as though you're getting under the skin of the man.

That said, even though Cary Grant lacks some of his usual spark, there is an energy to the guest cast and a few fun moments, such as the scene in the record shop when Porter plays his own music gathering the crowd. But on the whole, it's not a surprise that the Kevin Kline version of Cole in 'DeLovely' was amused by it.

Do note though that for some bizarre reason possibly to do with music publishing rights, none of the songs are subtitled which sort of misses the point if you need them, even if just to sing along.

Feel good movie with a strong message about not letting work (of any kind) get in the way of your family. Cary Grant may not have been the ideal casting in the first part of this film as his laid back manner did not convey a hungry artistic temperament, but he came into his own later in the film. Not sure how accurate the film is to the real story of Cole Porter and his wife, but still worth a watch.