Sunny Side of the Street

During 1951 to 1955 Jonie Taps made wonderful light hearted musicals for Columbia Pictures. They all had familiar songs and you always felt good when leaving the theatre. Frankie Laine was always the lead and this time he had Terry Moore of "Come Back Little Sheba" and tall Jerome Cowan singing and the love interest. This film was about the radio/television industry with early color television. I just saw this cute musical and it brought a smile to my face. I wish Columbia would release these Frankie Laine/Jonie Tap musicals. Others in the musical series are "Rainbow Round My Shoulder," "Bring Your Smile Along," and "He Laughed Last."

Columbia's B musicals with Frankie Laine-Billy Daniels, etc., were all about the music. The plots are just there to, however haltingly, keep things going. Pert Terry Moore pushes tall, gangly, handsome Jerome Courtland to become a singing star. Why not? Courtland (with solos on "Let's Fall In Love", "The Love of a Gypsy" and a duet with Laine on the title song)has a fine voice, if not the performing charisma of the two leads. Daniels, a surprise smash in his first Columbia, keeps up the good work with a warm, relaxed rehearsal in an empty night club with pianist-backup singer Benny Payne, of "Too Marvelous For Words" and "I Hadn't Anyone Till You", later goes full-tilt on "I Get A Kick Out of You". Great camera work on all of Daniels' moments. Laine also gives his usual earnest, energetic and unique approach to his songs, including "I'm Gonna Live Till I Die", "I May Be Wrong" (with Toni Arden, who also gets a solo spot), and a bit of "Pennies From Heaven". Oh. Round tv screens, too! Almost impossible to find on videotape.

Airfast hit the nail on the head when he commented "you always felt good when leaving the theatre after seeing one of his movies". I saw it when I was 15, and I was walking on air after leaving the local cinema screening in Liverpool, England.