IF I HAD MY WAY

If I Had My Way
Universal, 1940, B/W, 94 minutes, ***
Released May, 1940

When Patricia's (Gloria Jean) father is killed in an accident, Buzz (Bing Crosby) takes her back east to live with her closest relatives. Little does he know she will be thrust into the middle of a family feud.

Buzz's close friend and traveling companion Axel (El Brendel) discovers a long-lost friend now has a restaurant, which is not doing well, and in a moment of weakness (and more than a bit tipsy), he buys the restaurant so his friend can go back home to Minnesota. This means Buzz and Axel are liable for all of the restaurant debts, so they decide to throw themselves into making the restaurant work to avoid jail! For publicity, they throw a party with some of their old vaudeville friends putting on acts to draw in the customers, and the night is a big success!

Fun movie. Gloria Jean is sweet as ever and serves up some great songs. And old-timers like Blanche Ring reprise some of their best-remembered vaudeville acts.

Produced and Directed by: David Butler
Assistant Director: Joseph A. McDonough
Screen Play: William Conselman, James V. Kern
Original Story: David Butler, William Conselman, James V. Kern
Musical Director: Charles Previn
Orchestration: Frank Skinner
Original Songs: Lyrics by Johnny Burke, Music by James V. Monaco
"Ida" words and music by Eddie Leonard
"If I Had My Way" words by Lou Klein, music by James Kendis
"Rings on My Fingers" words by Weston & Barnes, music by Maurice Scott
"Little Grey Home in the West" words by D. Eardley-Wilmot, music by Hermann Lohr
Art Director: Jack Otterson
Associate: Richard H. Riedel
Set Decorations: R. A. Gausman
Gowns: Vera West
Sound Supervisor: Bernard B. Brown
Technician: Charles Carroll
Director of Photography: George Robinson
Film Editor: Irene Morra

Cast: Bing Crosby [Buzz Blackwell], Gloria Jean [Patricia Johnson], Charles Winninger [Joe Johnson], El Brendel [Axel Swenson], Allyn Joslyn [Jarvis Johnson], Claire Dodd [Brenda Johnson], Moroni Olsen [Mr. Blair], Nana Bryant [Marian Johnson], Donald Woods [Fred Johnson], Kathryn Adams [Miss Corbett], Brandon Hurst [Hedges], Emory Parnell [Gustav Erickson], Verna Felton [Mrs. DeLacey], Barnett Parker [Floorwalker], Joe Whitehead [Si], Del Henderson [Mr. Harris], Blanche Ring, Eddie Leonard, Trixie Friganza, Julian Eltinge, Grace La Rue, Six Hits and a Miss [Guests], Additional Cast: Selmer Jackson [Mr. Melville], Virginia Brissac [Mrs. Blair], Janet Waldo [Miss Courtney], Rod Cameron [Slim], Richard Keene [Soda Jerk], Edward Earle [Headwaiter], Larry McGrath [Waiter], Louis Mercier [Chef], Al Bridge [Doorman], Rafael Corio [Rhumba Teacher], Lillian West [Saleslady], Paul Gordon [Bicyclist], Lew Harvey [G-Man], Joe King [Bank Guard], Lee White [Bus driver]

Musical Program: [0:07] Meet the Sun Halfway (with opera parody introduction) (sung by Bing Crosby and Gloria Jean, joined by Chorus); [0:11] Doodle Dum Da (sung and played on jugband instruments by "Joe Bluett and His Rolicking Riveteers"); [0:14] My Friend the Bridge (poem recited by Gloria Jean and Bing Crosby); [0:26] I Haven't Time to Be a Millionaire (sung by Bing Crosby and Gloria Jean, joined by El Brendel at the end); [0:36] Little Grey Home in the West (sung by Gloria Jean); [0:44] The Pessimistic Character (With the Crab Apple Face) (sung by Bing Crosby, Charles Winninger, Gloria Jean, El Brendel, Nana Bryant, Emory Parnell; Winninger plays bridge on trombone; all accompanied by small band onscreen - fun number!); [0:50] If I Had My Way (sung by Bing Crosby to Gloria Jean); [1:17] Ida, Sweet as Apple Cider (sung and danced by Eddie Leonard, joined by Six Hits and a Miss); [1:20] Unicycle act (Paul Gordon); [1:23] I've Got Rings on My Fingers (sung by Blanche Ring, joined by Six Hits and a Miss); [1:25] April Played the Fiddle (sung by Bing Crosby, joined by Six Hits and a Miss); [1:32] Meet the Sun Halfway (reprised by Bing Crosby and Gloria Jean)