HERE COMES THE GROOM

Here Comes the Groom
(aka "Frank Capra's Here Comes the Groom")
Paramount, 1951, B/W, 113 minutes, ****
Released September, 1951

With the legendary Frank Capra (It's a Wonderful Life) in the director's seat, the inimitable Bing Crosby stars as an overseas reporter with a song in his heart... and room left over for two war orphans. They are his to adopt, if he can find a bride in just five days! His former fiancée (Jane Wyman) is the perfect candidate, but she's destined to marry millionaire Franchot Tone. Or is she? Among the highlights of this sparkling musical romp is Der Bingle's crooning of the Oscar-winning song, "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening."

By the time Bing gets back from war-torn Europe, Jane is tired of waiting for him and showing up at the dock only to find no Bing onboard five times, so she has decided to marry her multi-millionaire boss Franchot. Bing brings back two cute orphan kids, but the Immigration Service tells him they must return to France unless Bing is married within five days. Childhood sweetheart Jane is the obvious choice, but she's gone and gotten herself engaged to Tone. After several underhanded attempts to break up the engagement, Bing and Franchot have a little chat and openly declare war to see who will end up at the altar on Saturday! Wonderful treachery is about to begin! Really fun film with loads of laughs.

Produced and Directed by: Frank Capra
Associate Producer: Irving Asher
Assistant Director: Arthur S. Black
Screenplay: Virginia Van Upp, Liam O'Brien, Myles Connolly
Story by: Robert Riskin and Liam O'Brien
New Songs by: Jay Livingston and Ray Evans
"In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening" by Johnny Mercer and Hoagy Carmichael
Music Direction: Joseph J. Lilley
Special Orchestral Arrangements: Van Cleave
Dance Direction: Charles O'Curran
Art Direction: Hal Pereira and Earl Hedrick
Set Decoration: Emile Kuri
Costumes: Edith Head
Makeup Supervision: Wally Westmore
Sound Recording by: Harry Mills and John Cope
Director of Photography: George Barnes
Special Effects: Gordon Jennings and Paul Lerpae
Process Photography: Farciot Edouart
Edited by: Ellsworth Hoagland

Awards: Academy Award for Best Song ("In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening"); Academy Award nomination for Best Motion Picture Story

Cast: Bing Crosby [Pete Garvey], Jane Wyman [Emmadel Jones], Alexis Smith [Winifred Stanley], Franchot Tone [Wilbur Stanley], James Barton [Pa Jones], Connie Gilchrist [Ma Jones], Robert Keith [George Degnan], Jacques Gencel [Bobby], Beverly Washburn [Suzi], Walter Catlett [McGonigle], Alan Reed [Mr. Godfrey], Minna Gombell [Mrs. Godfrey], Howard Freeman [Governor], Maidel Turner [Aunt Abby], H.B. Warner [Uncle Elihu], Nicholas Joy [Uncle Prentise], Ian Wolfe [Uncle Adam], Ellen Corby [Mrs. McGonigle], James Burke [Policeman], Irving Bacon [Baines], Ted Thorpe [Paul Pippitt], Art Baker [Radio Announcer], Anna Maria Alberghetti [Theresa], Laura Elliot [Maid], Christofer Appel [Marcel], Odette Myrtil [Gray Lady], Charles Halton [Cusick], Rev. Neal Dodd [Priest], Charles Lane [Burchard], Adeline De Walt Reynolds [Aunt Amy], Charles E. Evans [Mayor], Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer [Messenger], Walter McGrail [Newsreel Director], Howard Joslin [Newsreel Cameraman], Dorothy Lamour [Herself], Frank Fontaine [Himself], Louis Armstrong [Himself], Phil Harris [Himself], Cass Daley [Herself]

Musical Program: [0:00] Overture ("In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening" played by Orchestra behind titles); [0:07] Caro Nome (from the opera RIGOLETTO, sung by Anna Maria Alberghetti - wonderful!); [0:14] Your Own Little House (sung by Bing Crosby); [0:18] In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening (sung by Bing Crosby and Jacques Gencel; reprised many times throughout the film); [0:29] Misto Christofo Columbo (sung by Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour, Louis Armstrong, Cass Daley, Phil Harris, Frank Fontaine and Chorus - great number!); [0:36] What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor (short excerpt sung by James Barton and friends); [0:51] In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening (sung and danced by Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman); [1:32] In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening (reprised by Alexis Smith); [1:43] Bonne Nuit (Good Night) (Bing Crosby)