Doctor Rhythm

Doctor Rhythm is a 1938 American musical comedy film directed by Frank Tuttle and starring Bing Crosby, Mary Carlisle, Beatrice Lillie, and Andy Devine.[2] Based on the 1907 short story The Badge of Policeman O'Roon by O. Henry,[3] the film is about a doctor who pretends to be a policeman assigned as the bodyguard of a wealthy matron, whose beautiful niece becomes the object of his affections. The film features the songs "On the Sentimental Side" and "My Heart Is Taking Lessons".

Doctor Rhythm
Theatrical release poster
Directed byFrank Tuttle
Written by
Based onThe Badge of Policeman O'Roon
by O. Henry
Produced byEmanuel Cohen
Starring
Cinematography
Edited byAlex Troffey
Music byJames V. Monaco
Production
company
Major Pictures Corporation
Distributed byParamount Pictures
Release date
  • May 6, 1938 (1938-05-06) (USA)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1.15 million[1]

Plot

Dr. Bill Remsen (Bing Crosby) helps cover for his ailing policeman friend (Andy Devine) and takes the policeman's latest assignment as the bodyguard for a quirky but wealthy matron Mrs. Lorelei Dodge-Blodgett (Bea Lillie). Soon Bill falls in love with the lady's beautiful niece (Mary Carlisle). When the older woman becomes the target of thieves, Bill is able to thwart their efforts.

Cast

Production

The movie was filmed in Hollywood starting on October 13, 1937 and finishing in December of the same year. It had its Los Angeles premiere at the Paramount on April 28, 1938 and its New York premiere at the Paramount on May 18, 1938. This was Crosby's second independent feature outside his Paramount contract.[6] George Stoll was the Musical Director with John Scott Trotter handling the musical arrangements and orchestration.

Reception

Frank S. Nugent writing in The New York Times was not impressed. "In the Paramount’s Doctor Rhythm, Bing Crosby, Bea Lillie & Co. are wooing the comic muse as though they had a $5 bet on its surrender. Maybe a $3 bet. Nothing quite so grim as their pursuing of the elfin guffaw has been seen in these parts since Martha Raye fell down the incinerator chute....An advantage — we might say the only advantage — is the complete informality of the show, an attitude for which Miss Lillie is largely and blessedly responsible....This puts her one up on Mr. Crosby, whose crooning is almost too liquid this time. “On the Sentimental Side”, “This Is My Night to Dream” and “My Heart Is Taking Lessons” were not so much sung as wrung out. Too bad, too, for they’re good numbers."[7]

Variety liked it though. "…There is good marquee display in the title and top names, and customers will spread favorable comment after leaving theatres. This film should do nice business...‘On the Sentimental Side,’ one of five songs by John Burke and James V. Monaco, looms the likeliest along with ‘My Heart Is Taking Lessons.’ Frank Tuttle, who directed Waikiki Wedding with Crosby starred, seems to have the right combination on the crooner’s films...Dr. Rhythm will keep Crosby at his present high box-office rating."[8]

Soundtrack
  • "This Is My Night to Dream" (James V. Monaco, Johnny Burke by Bing Crosby
  • "On the Sentimental Side" (James V. Monaco, Johnny Burke) by Bing Crosby
  • "My Heart is Taking Lessons" (James V. Monaco, Johnny Burke) by Bing Crosby
  • "There's Rhythm in This Heart of Mine" (Rodgers and Hart) by Beatrice Lillie
  • "Only a Gipsy Knows" (James V. Monaco, Johnny Burke) by Beatrice Lillie, Bing Crosby and chorus
  • "Public School 43" by Bing Crosby, Sterling Holloway, Andy Devine and Rufe Davis.[9]

Bing Crosby recorded several of the songs for Decca Records.[10] "On the Sentimental Side" reached the No. 4 spot in the charts of the day and spent 10 weeks in the lists.[11] Crosby's songs were also included in the Bing's Hollywood series.

References
  1. "Cut Cosby's 'Rhythm' Sans Script". Variety. 26 January 1938. p. 2.
  2. "Doctor Rhythm (1938)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  3. "Doctor Rhythm". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  4. "Full cast and crew for Doctor Rhythm". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved September 2, 2012.
  5. Giddins, Gary (2001). A Pocketful of Dreams. New York: Little, Brown and Company. p. 489. ISBN 0-316-88188-0.
  6. Giddins, Gary (2001). A Pocketful of Dreams. New York: Little, Brown and Company. p. 487. ISBN 0-316-88188-0.
  7. Nugent, Frank S. (May 19, 1938). "The New York Times". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  8. "Variety". April 27, 1938. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  9. Reynolds, Fred (1986). Road to Hollywood. John Joyce. p. 90.
  10. "A Bing Crosby Discography". A Bing Crosby Discography. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  11. Whitburn, Joel (1986). Pop Memories 1890-1954. Wisconsin, USA: Record Research Inc. p. 106. ISBN 0-89820-083-0.
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