Thrill of a Romance

Thrill of a Romance
MGM, 1945, Color, 104 minutes, ***
Premiere release May, 1945
General release July, 1945

Esther marries business tycoon Carleton Young, and they're off to a honeymoon at a resort hotel in the mountains. But hubby gets a phone call as soon as they arrive, and he's off on a business trip, leaving his new bride behind and all alone. Meantime Esther meets war hero Van Johnson and tries desperately not to fall in love with him, but she just can't help it. Some great musical numbers by Lauritz Melchior (another guest at the hotel) and by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra. A real show-stopper is a young man named Jerry Scott, who sings a wonderful rendition of "Because."

The story may be a bit weak, but this film is simply packed with great music! It's incredible! There are many featured musical numbers, and the background score is loaded with pop and classical numbers. If you want to hear/see a great concert, watch this.

Producer: Joe Pasternak
Director: Richard Thorpe
Screenplay: Richard Connell and Gladys Lehman
Musical Program: "Please Don't Say No" Ralph Freed, Sammy Fain; "I Should Care" Axel Stordahl, Paul Weston, Sammy Cahn; "Lonely Night" (Folk Song) Georgie Stoll, Richard Connell
Music Adaptation and Direction: Georgie Stoll
Musical Score: George Stoll
Song Score: various
Art Direction: Cedric Gibbons, Hans Peters
Set Decorations: Edwin B. Willis
Associate: Jack Bonar
Costume Supervision: Irene
Associate: Kay Dean
Director of Photography: Harry Stradling
Film Editor: George Boemler

Cast: Van Johnson [Major Thomas Milvaine], Esther Williams [Cynthia Glenn], Frances Gifford [Maude Bancroft], Henry Travers [Hobart Glenn], Spring Byington [Nona Glenn], Lauritz Melchior [Mr. Nils Knudsen], Carleton G. Young [Robert G. Delbar], Ethel Griffies [Mrs. Fenway], Donald Curtis [K.O. Karny], Jerry Scott [Lyonel], Fernando Alvarado [Julio], Helene Stanley [Susan Dorsey], Vince Barnett [Oscar], Billy House [Dr. Tove], Joan Fay Macaboy [Betty], additional cast: Jean Porter [Ga-ga Bride], Carli Elinor [Gypsy Orchestra Leader], Thurston Hall [J. P. Bancroft], Alex Novinsky, Stuart Holmes [Chess Players], Pierre Watkin [Tycoon], Tim Murdock [Naval Ensign], Frank Ferguson, Selmer Jackson [Hotel Clerks], Robert Emmett O'Connor [Mr. Vemmering], Dagmar Oakland [Guest at Reception], Tom Brannigan [Johnny], Arno Frey [Headwaiter], Dick Earle [Mr. Carter], Virginia Brissac [Secretary], Jack Baxley [Detective], Ray Goulding [Dance Extra], Art Buehler [Chauffeur], Tony Coppala [Waiter], Jack Shea [Donald Curtis' Diving Double], Ruth Nurmi [Esther Williams' Diving Double], Henry Daniels, Jr., Douglas Cowan, Fulton Burley, Wally Boag, Phil Hanna, Joe Sullivan [Canadian Flyers], Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra [Themselves]

Musical Program: [0:00] Overture (The Thrill of a Romance) (played behind credits by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra and the MGM Studio Orchestra); [0:10] Serenade (played behind credits by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra and the MGM Studio Orchestra); [0:19] Vesti la giubba (from the opera PAGLIACCI, sung by Lauritz Melchior); [0:21] I Should Care (sung by unidentified singers with Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra); [0:26] The Guy with the Slide Trombone (Hungarian Rhapsody) (sung and played on piano by Helene Stanley introduced as Susan Dorsey with Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra); [0:31] Mattinata (sung by Lauritz Melchior); [0:48] Lonely Night (Lauritz Melcior); [0:51] I Should Care (excerpt sung by Bob Allen with Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra); [0:53] I Love You (Jeg elsker Dig) (Lauritz Melchior with Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra); [1:01] Please Don't Say No (Say Maybe) (played by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra); [1:06] Please Don't Say No (Say Maybe) (Jerry Scott with Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra); [1:07] Because (Jerry Scott with Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra); [1:14] unidentified instrumental with drum solo (Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra); [1:16] Vive l'Amour (Lauritz Melchior and Chorus); [1:21] I Want What I Want When I Want It (sung by Lauritz Melchior); [1:41] Please Don't Say No (Say Maybe) (Lauritz Melchior singing for Van Johnson serenading Esther Williams, with Chorus joining in)