The Stars Are Singing

I saw this film in my early teens, I can not remember all the details of the film but I remember Anna Maria Alberghetti, Rosemary Clooney and Lauritz Melchior playing outstanding parts. At about the same time I saw Tonight We Sing with Jan Peerce and Ezio Pinza. These two films started me on the road to operatic record collecting and I await patiently for them to be issued on VHS or DVD.

Recently, I had the opportunity to watch THE STARS ARE SINGING on Netflix streaming. It was not one of those films I actively sought out to watch, but since I like musicals from the 1950s, I decided to give it a try. Although I found the plot to be more than a bit contrived, and let's face it—what musical comedy plot is not contrived?—Rosemary Clooney is in splendid form here, and the time spent viewing the picture was worth it. Apparently, it was her first role at Paramount, and it's interesting to see her at this stage of her career. Clooney's costar in this venture is Anna Maria Alberghetti, and while the two ladies have very different singing styles, their professionalism is top-notch, and they work together nicely. Opera tenor Lauritz Melchoir, in his final film, is an added bonus.

I well remember seeing this delightful movie in 1955 at my local cinema in Auckland. Having already enjoyed "'White Christmas" on three occasions,I was totally sold on Rosemary Clooney and I loved her just as much in "The Stars Are Singing".Her star quality was evident from the outset and I always thought she had the nicest hair of almost all the ladies of her day.Her singing voice was divine during this period and I know I'll be enjoying my vast collection of her recordings for as long as I live. I will be forever grateful that I instinctively wrote to her when I did (I received her reply only weeks before she passed away).This is what she said:"Dear David.Thank you for your lovely letter.I will keep it always.With my love, Rosemary". Regarding Anna Maria Albergetti,what a gorgeous voice and so mature sounding too. What a pity she didn't get the breaks she deserved in Hollywood. I get chills up my spine with her final song; 'My Heart Is Home'.Wow,that final top note! When it comes to movie nostalgia,the years 1953 and 1954 are pretty hard to beat. Heartfelt thanks for your contributing this underrated gem of a movie.

Anna Maria Alberghetti from Poland jumps off a ship and swims to Manhattan. Soon she is looking up her mother's old friend, down-and-out Laurtiz Melchior. He lives in the same business as aspiring show biz folks like Rosemary Clooney, Bob Williams and his dog, and dancer Tommy Morton. They decide to get a special bill through Congress granting Miss Alberghetti citizenship.

It's half fantasy and half musical numbers, with a script that doesn't do much besides get from one musical number to the next. Miss Clooney, in her movie debut, sings four solos, including "Come On-a My House"; Miss Alberghetti sings four, Melchior gets two solos, and there are three numbers with various cast members.

Miss Clooney hated "Come On-a My House" which she sings here for its co-writer, Ross Bagdassarian and turns down a chance at a record. She thought it was "a bunch of Armenian nonsense," and that's her on-screen reaction here.

As an opera and musicals fan, 'The Stars are Singing' may be imperfect but it is a treat for the most part and interesting to see Wagnerian heldentenor Lauritz Melchior and a very young Anna Maria Alberghetti on film as well as the film debut for Rosmary Clooney.

Clooney is splendid, with great comic timing and her solo songs are performed and staged with a lot of exuberance (especially "Come On-A My House"). In his final film, Melchior is in thrilling voice and is a warm, cuddly and amusing presence, his "Vesti La Giubba" is heart-wrenching. This is very much Alberghetti's film however, she personifies radiance and charm and she sings divinely singing repertoire beyond her years (how many women in their late teens even try and attempt 'Lucia Di Lammermoor's' "Mad Scene"?) in a way but she shows no signs of sounding taxed.

'The Stars are Singing' is particularly worth seeing for them, and also for two other primary things. One being the charming sisterly chemistry between Clooney and Alberghetti, and the other being the music, the operatic excerpts are infinitely more memorable but the songs are pleasant and full of energy. They are staged with fun and emotion.

It is a nice-looking film too, beautifully photographed in Technicolor and the sets and fashions are equally attractive. Norman Taurog directs with skill and at a good pace. Most of the script is gently witty and emotive.

However, Bob Williams drags the film whenever he appears, his rapport with the lethargic dog bores rather than endears and his performance just feels annoying. John Archer is also dull, while the story is contrived and at times routine outside of the musical scenes.

In summary, not perfect but a nice film all the same. 7/10 Bethany Cox