Deep in My Heart

This film is a curiosity more than anything else. Like most of MGM's alleged composer biographies, it distorts the details of the composer's actual life (in this case Broadway operetta composer Sigmund Romberg), but hangs all of his magnificent songs on an all-star coat rack. And there lies the attraction: seeing Gene Kelly in his only on-screen appearance with real life brother Fred; Jose Ferrer performing with real life bride Rosemary Clooney (in all of her stunning beauty); and his friend and business compatriot Helen Traubel trilling away-- most effective in the beautiful and uncluttered "Softly" and the lush "Aufwiedersen" for the ears of a dying Merle Oberon (was librettist Oberon supposed to have a crush on composer Ferrer?). Also choice is Ann Miller's Charleston tap dancing (and she looked great in that red dress); and super-babe Cyd Charisse in an 'Arabian Nights' ballet with James Mitchell (maybe the single most erotic dance performed on film): "One Alone--" in an incredibly sexy, nearly all-lace gown.

The music is, of course, the reason to watch this movie. Jose Ferrer does an admirable job of portraying the composer Sigmund Romberg, and an all-star cast performs some of Romberg's tunes.

Especially noteworthy is Rosemary Clooney, singing, most appropriately, the song "Mr. and Mrs." with her then-husband, Ferrer. "Deep in My Heart" was their only on-screen performance together.

Other memorable moments feature brothers Fred and Gene Kelly dancing and Ferrer performing a one-man show. Altogether, the film is long and somewhat slow but the music makes it worth watching.

DEEP IN MY HEART is one of the last of the great MGM Musicals, and almost unknown today. This is too bad, because it contains some wonderful musical numbers: Cyd Charisse at her most spectacular in a number from THE DESERT SONG, Gene Kelly and his brother Fred as song-and-dance men, Jose Ferrer doing a surprising one-man-show routine that is astonishing, as well as a charming song and dance with opera star Helen Traubel. It is supposedly based on the life of famed composer, Sigmund Romberg, and it is presented in typical MGM glossy style, but this was a composer of great melodies who deserved the plush treatment. This is a top-flight production that is well worth watching. You'll see additional numbers by Ann Miller, Howard Keel, Jane Powell and Rosemary Clooney!

If you doubt the summary comment, ask a few of your friends under the age of 55 if they've heard of Sigmund Romberg (Sigmund who)? Since I took piano lessons as a kid - I did - yet when I stumbled upon this film in my local library I thought "when did this come out" (I was in the service overseas at the time). I was totally blown away by the musical score and the performances. By the way, this is about the only musical film I've seen structured as a Broadway musical play - overture through finale. The last number of the first act, so the speak, was Jane Powell and Vic Damone singing "Will you Remember" from "Maytime". This show was such a success a second company opened across the street - only time in Broadway history!

See for yourself, then try to find "The Student Prince" and watch that - and listen. He composed about 600 or 700 songs for Broadway. By the way, did you know Gene Kelly had a song and dance man brother? You'll see them together the only time in "Deep in my Heart"

I found this one to start out strong, sag painfully in the middle when plot takes over, then pick up again and finish with a bang. Some splendid singing from the very likeable Miss Helen Traubel, and some swell production numbers by a bevy of MGM artists. Highlight for me was Cyd Charisse dancing with James Michell (sp?). A movie in which the splendid music Sigmund Romberg is well-served.