You Can't Love Them All Musical comedy Frank Tashlin "Say only one thing for me" (1959) is an example of a film that could have become another masterpiece of the genre musical film, but, unfortunately, it did not become one - although, as it may seem at first glance, he had everything for this, starting from the plot, the cast and ending with the of the picture.b>
The plot of the film is as follows: In the center of the theater district of new York is the parish of father Conroy (Bing Crosby), which is often visited by artists and for which charity performances are often organized. Among the parishioners is a girl named Holly LeMaze (Debbie Reynolds), whose father (Forest Tremaine) once performed on stage.
A girl is about to go to college, but suddenly her father becomes seriously ill and Holly is forced to get a job as a dancer in a nightclub to pay the bills for treatment. In the same club, playboy Tony Vincent (Robert Wagner), who tries to hit on Holly, but at first unsuccessfully, although later they begin a romantic relationship.
But Tony is annoyed by Holly's friendship with Father Conroy as he believes the priest is interfering with his relationship with Holly. The priest himself (at the request of Holly) meets former composer Phil Stanley (Ray Wollston), whose career ended his alcoholism and now he is forced to work as a pianist in the same nightclub. The priest is trying to help Phil. Meanwhile, Tony is offered a job at a hotel in Miami, and he tries to convince Holly to leave with him. .
The script of this picture would not be so bad if its authors worked on it more. The film, albeit at times, looks like a remake of Crosby’s earlier film, “Going My Way” (1944), mainly because Bing plays a priest here.
But the plot inconsistencies do not end there. For example, according to the plot of the film, the character Robert Wagner is written here so "black colors" that one does not believe in his correction (which the last quarter of the picture insists on).
The cast in the film is selected with varying success. Bing Crosby, as always, sings, and, once again, tries on the image of a priest, but it does not look as interesting as in the 40s. Debbie Reynolds turns out to be the strongest link in the film and perfectly performs his role, not to mention the musical numbers.
Robert Wagner is perhaps the most important disadvantage of the film in the role of entertainer nightclub. He sings, frankly, so himself - as well as dancing - that is clearly visible in his joint numbers with Debbie Reynolds. The candidacy of Frank Sinatra (refused the role), who was invited to the film, would be very useful here - after all, he brilliantly performed a similar role two years earlier in the musical "Friend Joey" (1957).
Among the other performers in the film can be distinguished Ray Wollston in the role of a drunken pianist, Connie Gilchrist in the role of the apartment hostess of the hero Crosby and debutante Stella Stevens in the role of a dancer.
The soundtrack of the film, although not a masterpiece, but quite worthy of attention, I personally remember from the songs sounding in the film 'Say One for Me', 'You Can't Love Them All', 'The Secret of Christmas' and 'I Couldn't Care Less'.
In general, this creation, alas, very much resembles some of the early paintings of Bing Crosby, but still quite suitable for a one-time viewing. However, we should not expect more from the film - the use of the formula of the 40s does not work fully in the late 50s . Thank you very much.
6 out of 10