I don't know a lot about Helen Morgan...just what I learned from Wikipedia. But here's the problem with this film. One possibility is that the film -- though somewhat fictionalized -- basically portrays Morgan as she was. In which case she was a pathetic sap. The other possibility is that the film portrays her unfairly as a pathetic sap. Either way, there's little reason for admiring Helen Morgan...at least based on this film.
Ann Blyth can, at times, be a little shrill. Of course, the ironic thing is that even though Blyth was an accomplished singer, and had been in many movie musicals, Warner Brothers used Gogi Grant's singing voice throughout the movie. Frankly, if they weren't going to use Blyth for her voice, there were other, better actresses available. Although, I must say that the scene with DTs is quite memorable, as are the closing scenes.
Those who love Paul Newman probably won't like him very much in this role. His character is as bad a cad as you'll find, dumping Morgan, slapping her around, and manipulating her and everyone to his satisfaction. A pretty pathetic character to be playing.
More likable is Richard Carlson as the other love of Morgan, and a wealthy businessman at that. Alan King is not bad as a small-time confidence man, but the role is so clichéd as to be worthless. Cara Williams has a role as a dance hall girl-type.
Interesting, three contemporaries to Morgan, each of whom she had a professional relationship with, appear in the film in sort of cameo roles -- Rudy Vallee, a very young columnist Walter Winchell, and famed song writer and Morgan's former accompanist Jimmy McHugh.
I found the end of the movie, though well-acted, to be disappointing. If one didn't know better, one would think blue skies were ahead. They forgot to mention that she died of cirrhosis of the liver at the young age of 41.
Although I would have preferred another actress in the role of Helen Morgan, this film does have a lot going for it. Recommended...at least once.
Ann Blyth can, at times, be a little shrill. Of course, the ironic thing is that even though Blyth was an accomplished singer, and had been in many movie musicals, Warner Brothers used Gogi Grant's singing voice throughout the movie. Frankly, if they weren't going to use Blyth for her voice, there were other, better actresses available. Although, I must say that the scene with DTs is quite memorable, as are the closing scenes.
Those who love Paul Newman probably won't like him very much in this role. His character is as bad a cad as you'll find, dumping Morgan, slapping her around, and manipulating her and everyone to his satisfaction. A pretty pathetic character to be playing.
More likable is Richard Carlson as the other love of Morgan, and a wealthy businessman at that. Alan King is not bad as a small-time confidence man, but the role is so clichéd as to be worthless. Cara Williams has a role as a dance hall girl-type.
Interesting, three contemporaries to Morgan, each of whom she had a professional relationship with, appear in the film in sort of cameo roles -- Rudy Vallee, a very young columnist Walter Winchell, and famed song writer and Morgan's former accompanist Jimmy McHugh.
I found the end of the movie, though well-acted, to be disappointing. If one didn't know better, one would think blue skies were ahead. They forgot to mention that she died of cirrhosis of the liver at the young age of 41.
Although I would have preferred another actress in the role of Helen Morgan, this film does have a lot going for it. Recommended...at least once.