Sing Me a Love Song

Possibly if Harry Warren and Al Dubin had written a memorable hit song from this film, Sing Me a Love Song would be better remembered today. As it is the film is a pleasant enough typical Thirties story where department store clerk Patricia Ellis meets and wins the man of her dreams.

Who happens to be James Melton, possessor of a great tenor voice, and the rich young playboy's who's inherited dad's department store. He's decided to go see why the place is losing money and decided to go incognito to work there. What he doesn't realize is that the lawyers for his father's estate want to see the store keep losing money so they can pick it up for themselves at a bargain.

James Melton had a pleasing voice and a good personality. The wonder is why he didn't have a movie career. My guess is he was far more interested in the opera. He starred at the New York Metropolitan Opera for many years and hosted the Bell Telephone Hour on radio as well.

As for the songs, Melton included the old standard Your Eyes Have Told Me So which was a staple at his concerts and Carry Me Back to the Lone Prarie which he introduced in his debut film Stars Over Broadway. Better than the subpar stuff he got from Warren and Dubin.

Warner Brothers gave Melton good support with Allen Jenkins, Zasu Pitts, Nat Pendleton, and especially Walter Catlett as the officious floorwalker. But the best is Hugh Herbert as the kleptomaniac who keeps robbing the store. Herbert also gets to do an Alec Guinness, Kind Hearts and Coronets number also playing several of his family members. Herbert and his family turn out to be the saviors of the store.

Sing Me a Love Song is a pleasant enough film. So typical of the Thirties where working class women always seem to be getting some rich, handsome Prince Charming. And if Charming can clear a high C with no trouble even better.

This is one of those comedies that I usually go for, since it involves a deception that the audience is in on, but many in the film are not. James Melton (a popular singing radio star at the time) goes to work in the music department of the store he inherited to learn about the business and the people. Only his lawyers and a couple of executives (who are trying to bankrupt him so they can buy the store cheaply) know he's the big boss. The comedy is excellent, with Hugh Herbert, ZaSu Pitts, Allen Jenkins, Walter Catlett, and Nat Pendleton all contributing bits that are very funny. Jenkins has the best lines, and his tongue-twister about his name had me in stitches. There are five good songs, sung by Melton and his love interest, Patricia Ellis, and even ZaSu Pitts sings in this one. I've seen the movie 3 times and it seemed to get better with each viewing.

"Sing Me a Love Song" is a lightweight musical comedy that features the tenor voice of James Melton and the high jinks of some good character actors. Melton plays the role of a department store owner who goes undercover to better manage his store. The staff of the store includes Zasu Pitts and Allen Jenkins. Hugh Herbert is a kleptomaniac who manages to steal from under the nose of a vigilant store manager.

The musical numbers are, perhaps, forgettable. But Melton's voice is formidable enough to play on the operatic stage. It would be perfect for the song "I'll String Along With You." And he is not a bad leading man, either.

I've been searching for this film ever since I started my personal film log about 16 years ago with the advent of the VCR and Cable. I saw it in a neighborhood theater in 1936 or '37 in Ohio or Missouri. Though I had forgotten all the story elements and principals, I distinctly remembered the character of Hammerschlogg the klepto -- Hugh Herbert, who I thought at the time must be the funniest man in the movies.

Herbert is still highly amusing, but on my recent rediscovery of the picture on cable, I was much more impressed by the magnificently effortless soaring tenor of James Melton. He had several great songs in this film, but his "Your Eyes Have Told Me So" left me with goose bumps!

The inane story line is no worse than the average musical, and the music and comedy elements more than make up for it. A very entertaining movie that I can recommend without reservation.

While the stories differ enough that it cannot be considered a direct remake, "Sing Me a Love Song" was re-worked five years later as "The Devil and Miss Jones" and it is a classic. "Sing Me a Love Song" is a decent film...but the later film is much funnier and better written. Plus, while James Melton had a terrific singing voice in the movie, "The Devil and Miss Jones" is better because it's not a musical at all...just a wonderful comedy.

J. J. Haines Jr. Is set to take over the company business following his father's death. However, instead of just stepping into the office to run the department store, he decides to try working as a regular employee in order to see what it's like working there. During his time working in the music department, he becomes a well liked guy...and his new friends have no idea who he actually is.

"Sing Me a Love Song" is still a very good film...well written and the singing isn't too invasive. But the idea works so much better in the later movie. My advice? See them both!! One is a true classic...the other still a very good film. It sure helps that so many familiar character actors are in this First National release...such as Walter Catlett, Allen Jenkins, Nat Pendleton, Hugh Herbert and Zasu Pitts.