I'll See You in My Dreams (1951)

Overrated and overhyped

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

I'll See You in My Dreams is one among many musical biopics made during the golden age of movie musicals. Danny Thomas stars as lyricist Gus Kahn, the man who brought us the classic songs of "Pretty Baby", "The One I Love Belongs to Somebody Else", "It Had to be You", "Carolina in the Morning", and countless others. Many, many songs are featured in the film, so if you like his songs, you'll probably be pretty happy with this one.The film shows the rags-to-riches story of the hero, and how he woos and wins the girl, Doris Day. Doris, his wife, supports him through all his ups and downs, personifying the "woman behind the man" theme in many biopics. With a supporting cast of James Gleason, Jim Backus, Mary Wickes, Patrice Wymore, and Frank Lovejoy, this has all the makings of a very entertaining musical drama. I found it to be enjoyable the first time through, but for a biopic I choose to watch over and over, I prefer Love Me or Leave Me. It does have lots of great songs and interesting scenes, though, so if you decide to rent it, you won't be in for a bad evening.

Speaking as one myself. Cannot get enough of her beautiful voice and her charmingly natural presence in her films. Many of the songs are justifiable classics, and the involvement of director Michael Curtiz and being someone who loves musicals promised so much.'I'll See You in My Dreams' may not be perfect, but it is such an easy film to like, like having a nostalgic memory or a dream that you don't want to wake up from. It may be slight story-wise and the chemistry between Day and Danny Thomas doesn't sparkle or is as irresistible as with some of Day's other leading men (i.e. Rock Hudson, James Garner, Gordon McRae, Howard Keel).However, it is a beautifully produced film, beautifully photographed and opulent. Imagine though how even better it would have been if in colour, as good as the film looked parts did cry out for colour. There are not enough adjectives to describe the brilliance of the songs, which have such beautiful melodies and lyrics that are witty but also meaningful. Standouts are the title song, "It Had to Be You", "Makin' Whoopee" and "The One I Love".Day is just captivating in one of her best performances. Her acting is natural, charming and sincere and she not only sings sublimely but the songs suit her and her voice so well. Thomas is likable and portrays Gus Khan with much competence and making it easy to root for him, if perhaps slightly one-dimensional.A top notch supporting cast helps too, with standout performances from the always reliable James Gleason and especially a well-meaning but sometimes takes-no-prisoners character.Curtiz's direction is admirable and shows yet again that his musicals output is fairly undervalued, especially when compared to better known films of his. The script is light, witty and at times poignant, while there is a real sense of nostalgia and enchanting atmosphere.Overall, a lovely film and a dream for fans of Doris Day. 8/10 Bethany Cox

The story of Gus Kahn is told in this musical starring Danny Thomas as the songwriter and Doris Day as his future wife. She currently works at a music shop, and he is writing about serious, political subjects like Paul Revere. When she dismisses his work, saying it's good, but not in touch with what the common people are interested in, he trashes it. She said, if you want to write songs, write about love, because the average person doesn't know how to say "I love you." You've got to say it for them. Gus Kahn, writer of over 800 songs, did just that. The subject of his life and songs are given much affection and dedication as any film can, in this enjoyable old-fashioned gem. It's also very funny to boot, with a great performance by Mary Wickes as the housekeeper they hire "to keep him in line." This is really one of the best of the musical biography pictures you're ever likely to find. Others of its kind will pale to this presentation of Gus Kahn, the writer of songs still loved today.

Danny Thomas plays real-life hit songwriter Gus Kahn, responsible in the 1900s for such innocent, old-fashioned tunes as "I Wish I Had a Girl", "Toot, Toot, Tootsie (Goodbye)" and "It Had To Be You". Doris Day plays Kahn's songbird spouse and Mary Wickes is their wiseacre maid--and both are much preferable to Thomas, who gives an extremely weak performance. Hokey, safe "contract" picture from Warner Bros. keeps the stars busy and is fine during the musical stretches, but as a drama it falls short. Supporting characters are introduced and then dropped in rapid succession, and incidents such as Kahn's heart attack are glossed over with syrupy uplift. Day is pleasant as always, but she doesn't quite click with Thomas, who reads his lines with canned enthusiasm. ** from ****