"Holding the High Notes" is a very good short documentary about popular singer Jane Froman. Besides comedian and actor Bob Hope, and band leader Glenn Miller, Froman became one of the most popular entertainers of U. S. servicemen in and after World War II. And, she was regarded a hero by many, especially after she survived a nearly fatal plane crash en route to Europe to entertain with the USO. In early February 1943, her plane crashed in the river while landing at Lisbon, Portugal. After multiple operations and still in a wheel chair and with crutches, Froman returned in 1945 to entertain troops for the USO. She traveled more than 3,000 miles in four months, and gave 95 shows at Army camps and hospitals in six countries.
This documentary short about Froman was made in 2007 to accompany the DVD release of the 1952 movie, "With a Song in My Heart." The film was a smash hit and was about Froman's career to that time. This short is a biographical film that tells more about Froman's background from childhood, and then fills in much more about her accident and career return.
The main interviewee is Ilene Stone, Froman's biographer who wrote "Jane Froman: Missouri's First Lady of Song." Others interviewed include two musicians who worked with Froman, a singer and actress who performs Froman songs in the early 21st century, and friends and fans of the late singer.
Stone talks about Froman's childhood when her father abandoned the family when she was just five years old. Her mother had been trained in classical music in the U. S. and Europe. To support the family she would perform, often out of town. So, Jane would stay at a convent where she had been a day student. The convent school curricula included piano lessons and music. Stone says, "Jane had a musical ear. She could hear a song once and play it back to you - and sing it back to you." Her mother had wanted Jane to pursue classical musical also, but while at the University of Missouri Jane performed in a musical show in St. Louis that launched her singing career.
Joel Herron was a pianist, composer and conductor who led bands at the New York Copacabana and Riviera nightclubs. He was leading the band and introduced Jane at the Copacabana before her accident. Herron says, "The head of the William Morris office came into the nightclub and said to her, 'Jane, we're sending the first contingent of USO people to Europe to entertain the troops. And-I don't know how to ask you, just as the peak of your career - Jane, would you consider going?' And she didn't blink. She said, 'Of course.'"
About Don Ross, Froman's first husband who managed her career as shown in the movie, Herron says, "The whole focus of his existence was Jane Froman."
Valerie Lemon is a singer and actress who performs "The Jane Froman Songbook" at clubs and concert halls. About Froman and Ross, Lemon says, "She didn't have a father in her life, and I think he became like the father that she never had."
Ervin Drake (1919-2015) was a songwriter, composer, lyricist and TV producer. He talked about writing music for Froman's TV show in 1953. "I got a telegram," he says, "and it said, please report to CBS next week as part of the writing staff of the Jane Froman Show." Drake wrote the first hit song that would be introduced on television, "I Believe," which Jane Froman sang. Frankie Laine then made the recording that would become a number one hit song. Drake also wrote the words and music of another tune that would become a big hit - "It Was a Very Good Year," that Frank Sinatra sang in 1965.
Biographer Stone says that the 1952 movie "is very realistic, to a point." But the film doesn't mention "her numerous other injuries," that included her left leg and right arm. "Years later, pieces of the plane and wood were still oozing to the surface and she had to have surgery," Stone says. "Over the course of her life, she had 39 cash-related surgeries." Another thing the film doesn't show is Froman's stutter that began after her father disappeared and her baby sister died. Stone says her music was her escape, "because Jane never stuttered when she sang."
Stone says, "The movie had a great impact on Jane's life. It was like a shot in the arm for her career. It helped her get her name and her voice once again before the American public. Jane was offered a television show. It was called USA Canteen, and it was geared for the soldier." It was later renamed the Jane Froman Show until it went off the year in 1956.
After rock n' roll became popular in the late 1950s, Froman continued to perform some but then retired in 1961 to her home town of Columbia, Missouri. She met a former classmate and marred Roland Smith in 1962. She became very active in supporting charities. Stone says that in Columbia, Missouri, "she was big stuff. Her name brought out a lot of people and people would come to hear her words and support of any charity."
Valerie Lemon says, "Jane Froman's legacy is the connection she had with the human spirit." Stone says the movie "is such an inspirational story... It shows what one person can do in an era when you need heroes. Jane Froman was a hero."
This documentary short about Froman was made in 2007 to accompany the DVD release of the 1952 movie, "With a Song in My Heart." The film was a smash hit and was about Froman's career to that time. This short is a biographical film that tells more about Froman's background from childhood, and then fills in much more about her accident and career return.
The main interviewee is Ilene Stone, Froman's biographer who wrote "Jane Froman: Missouri's First Lady of Song." Others interviewed include two musicians who worked with Froman, a singer and actress who performs Froman songs in the early 21st century, and friends and fans of the late singer.
Stone talks about Froman's childhood when her father abandoned the family when she was just five years old. Her mother had been trained in classical music in the U. S. and Europe. To support the family she would perform, often out of town. So, Jane would stay at a convent where she had been a day student. The convent school curricula included piano lessons and music. Stone says, "Jane had a musical ear. She could hear a song once and play it back to you - and sing it back to you." Her mother had wanted Jane to pursue classical musical also, but while at the University of Missouri Jane performed in a musical show in St. Louis that launched her singing career.
Joel Herron was a pianist, composer and conductor who led bands at the New York Copacabana and Riviera nightclubs. He was leading the band and introduced Jane at the Copacabana before her accident. Herron says, "The head of the William Morris office came into the nightclub and said to her, 'Jane, we're sending the first contingent of USO people to Europe to entertain the troops. And-I don't know how to ask you, just as the peak of your career - Jane, would you consider going?' And she didn't blink. She said, 'Of course.'"
About Don Ross, Froman's first husband who managed her career as shown in the movie, Herron says, "The whole focus of his existence was Jane Froman."
Valerie Lemon is a singer and actress who performs "The Jane Froman Songbook" at clubs and concert halls. About Froman and Ross, Lemon says, "She didn't have a father in her life, and I think he became like the father that she never had."
Ervin Drake (1919-2015) was a songwriter, composer, lyricist and TV producer. He talked about writing music for Froman's TV show in 1953. "I got a telegram," he says, "and it said, please report to CBS next week as part of the writing staff of the Jane Froman Show." Drake wrote the first hit song that would be introduced on television, "I Believe," which Jane Froman sang. Frankie Laine then made the recording that would become a number one hit song. Drake also wrote the words and music of another tune that would become a big hit - "It Was a Very Good Year," that Frank Sinatra sang in 1965.
Biographer Stone says that the 1952 movie "is very realistic, to a point." But the film doesn't mention "her numerous other injuries," that included her left leg and right arm. "Years later, pieces of the plane and wood were still oozing to the surface and she had to have surgery," Stone says. "Over the course of her life, she had 39 cash-related surgeries." Another thing the film doesn't show is Froman's stutter that began after her father disappeared and her baby sister died. Stone says her music was her escape, "because Jane never stuttered when she sang."
Stone says, "The movie had a great impact on Jane's life. It was like a shot in the arm for her career. It helped her get her name and her voice once again before the American public. Jane was offered a television show. It was called USA Canteen, and it was geared for the soldier." It was later renamed the Jane Froman Show until it went off the year in 1956.
After rock n' roll became popular in the late 1950s, Froman continued to perform some but then retired in 1961 to her home town of Columbia, Missouri. She met a former classmate and marred Roland Smith in 1962. She became very active in supporting charities. Stone says that in Columbia, Missouri, "she was big stuff. Her name brought out a lot of people and people would come to hear her words and support of any charity."
Valerie Lemon says, "Jane Froman's legacy is the connection she had with the human spirit." Stone says the movie "is such an inspirational story... It shows what one person can do in an era when you need heroes. Jane Froman was a hero."