Dixie Lee was an adorable blonde singer, who, at the time of her marriage to Bing Crosby (1930), was very much the bigger star. She took him in hand (he was a very heavy drinker) straightened him up and, sadly, became a heavy drinker herself. She became increasingly reclusive and didn't make many more films after she married and started a family. She lost her confidence to sing and appear in films. No one who knew her had a word to say against her - she was just a lovely, wonderful person.
Susan Hayward conveys so well in Angie why Dixie was so well thought of. Angie (Susan Hayward) is a singer for whom big things are predicted but she suffers from stage fright and always needs a drink to steady her nerves before a show. She is married to Ken (Lee Bowman - was there ever a more boring or blander leading man than Lee Bowman), a struggling singer and is anxious to give him the success she feels he deserves.
He finally gets a radio spot as a singing cowboy - "Lonely Little Ranch House". He not only sings in the Crosby style but also ad libs (just like Bing). Angie encourages him to try his own songs and when she goes to hospital (to give birth) he impulsively sings one on the radio ("Life Can Be Beautiful"). The song and Ken (along with his offsider Steve (Eddie Albert) are a huge hit and he can finally give Angie all the things he wants her to have. With the adulation and the entertaining Angie's anxiety returns.
"What are you scared of Mrs. Conway?"... "I don't know, just people I guess".
There is also an efficient but predatory secretary, Martha (Marsha Hunt) hovering around, waiting to swoop. Angie starts drinking heavily. They are due to go on vacation (with singing concerts along the way) but Angie gets drunk and doesn't go. While Ken is away their child almost dies - Angie nurses her day and night but doesn't tell Ken. By the time Ken returns Angie, so worn down by tiredness, is drinking heavily again. After a knock down fight with Martha, Ken decides to divorce Angie, taking the baby with him.
Angie gets the chance of a comeback but she goes on a bender and ends up abducting the baby (because she has been forbidden to see her). In the meantime Martha has confessed that though she loves Ken, she knows she doesn't have a chance because Ken will always love Angie. It all ends very cosily when Angie rescues the baby from a burning house and Ken owns up to his responsibility for what happened to Angie.
Even though the rest of the film is routine Susan Hayward, as usual, delivers a powerhouse performance and acts everyone off the screen.
It does get a little preachy at the end. With the people on whom the film was allegedly based still very much alive they couldn't really afford to be hard hitting. Apparently Bing Crosby was going to sue but was advised not to as fans thought his marriage was perfect and drawing attention to it would just cause comment.
Highly Recommended.
Susan Hayward conveys so well in Angie why Dixie was so well thought of. Angie (Susan Hayward) is a singer for whom big things are predicted but she suffers from stage fright and always needs a drink to steady her nerves before a show. She is married to Ken (Lee Bowman - was there ever a more boring or blander leading man than Lee Bowman), a struggling singer and is anxious to give him the success she feels he deserves.
He finally gets a radio spot as a singing cowboy - "Lonely Little Ranch House". He not only sings in the Crosby style but also ad libs (just like Bing). Angie encourages him to try his own songs and when she goes to hospital (to give birth) he impulsively sings one on the radio ("Life Can Be Beautiful"). The song and Ken (along with his offsider Steve (Eddie Albert) are a huge hit and he can finally give Angie all the things he wants her to have. With the adulation and the entertaining Angie's anxiety returns.
"What are you scared of Mrs. Conway?"... "I don't know, just people I guess".
There is also an efficient but predatory secretary, Martha (Marsha Hunt) hovering around, waiting to swoop. Angie starts drinking heavily. They are due to go on vacation (with singing concerts along the way) but Angie gets drunk and doesn't go. While Ken is away their child almost dies - Angie nurses her day and night but doesn't tell Ken. By the time Ken returns Angie, so worn down by tiredness, is drinking heavily again. After a knock down fight with Martha, Ken decides to divorce Angie, taking the baby with him.
Angie gets the chance of a comeback but she goes on a bender and ends up abducting the baby (because she has been forbidden to see her). In the meantime Martha has confessed that though she loves Ken, she knows she doesn't have a chance because Ken will always love Angie. It all ends very cosily when Angie rescues the baby from a burning house and Ken owns up to his responsibility for what happened to Angie.
Even though the rest of the film is routine Susan Hayward, as usual, delivers a powerhouse performance and acts everyone off the screen.
It does get a little preachy at the end. With the people on whom the film was allegedly based still very much alive they couldn't really afford to be hard hitting. Apparently Bing Crosby was going to sue but was advised not to as fans thought his marriage was perfect and drawing attention to it would just cause comment.
Highly Recommended.