Romance on the High Seas
Encyclopedia
Romance on the High Seas (also known in the United Kingdom as It's Magic) is a 1948
Technicolor
musical
romantic comedy film
starring Jack Carson
, Janis Paige
, Don DeFore
, and Doris Day
in her film debut.
It was nominated for two Academy Awards
, for Original Song
for "It's Magic
" (music by Jule Styne
, lyrics by Sammy Cahn
), and Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture
(Ray Heindorf
).
) and her husband Michael (Don DeFore
) suspect each other of cheating. For their wedding anniversary, Elvira books an ocean cruise to Rio de Janeiro
but her husband claims that unexpected business will prevent him from going. Seeing an opportunity, Elvira pretends to take the trip alone, but in fact sends singer Georgia Garrett (Doris Day
), a woman she'd met at the travel agency, in her place and under her name. By secretly staying behind, Elvira hopes to find out if Michael is indeed sneaking around behind her back. Michael, however, is suspicious over Elvira's supposed willingness to go on the trip alone, an so hires private detective Peter Virgil (Jack Carson
) to see if she is sneaking around behind his back.
Peter joins the cruise and, as part of his job, becomes acquainted with Georgia. Georgia, following the instructions of the real Elvira, keeps up the ruse by pretending to be Elvira to everyone, including Peter. Georgia and Peter are attracted to each other and gradually fall in love, which causes conflict for both of them.
During one the cruise stops, Georgia friend, Oscar Farrar (Oscar Levant
), comes on board. Oscar is in love with Georgia despite Georgia's disinterest in him, and when Peter spots them together, he thinks he has discovered the identity of Elvira's lover.
the film had to be recast when Hutton became pregnant (and thus unavailable). Other established stars like Judy Garland
and Jane Powell
were briefly considered before Michael Curtiz was talked in to auditioning Doris Day, a well known vocalist, but hitherto not considered an actress (despite some early appearances in 1940–1941 in a number of soundies
). Her personal life was in some turmoil at the time, as her second marriage to musician George Weidler was ending, and this combined with her evident nervousness, led her to deliver a notably teary, emotive version of Embraceable You
at the audition. Impressed by her singing ability, and fresh-faced good looks Curtiz signed her to a film contract and cast her in the leading role of Georgia Garrett.
Despite the change in star and the late casting of Janis Paige
, the film was financially successful. However, much of the dialogue and pacing (as well as the costuming, and delivery of the songs) suggests the origins of the role as a Huttonesque style heroine. This type of heroine would be more in line with the roles that Day would play later in the 1960s than the "girl next door" roles that would follow shortly after and make her famous in the early 1950s.
1948 in film
The year 1948 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Laurence Olivier's Hamlet becomes the first British film to win the American Academy Award for Best Picture.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :...
Technicolor
Technicolor
Technicolor is a color motion picture process invented in 1916 and improved over several decades.It was the second major process, after Britain's Kinemacolor, and the most widely used color process in Hollywood from 1922 to 1952...
musical
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
romantic comedy film
Romantic comedy film
Romantic comedy films are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles. One dictionary definition is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily"...
starring Jack Carson
Jack Carson
John Elmer "Jack" Carson was a Canadian-born U.S.-based film actor.Jack Carson was one of the most popular character actors during the 'golden age of Hollywood', with a film career spanning the 1930s, '40s and '50s...
, Janis Paige
Janis Paige
Janis Paige is an American film, musical theatre and television actress. Born Donna Mae Tjaden in Tacoma, Washington, she began singing in public from the age of five in local amateur shows...
, Don DeFore
Don DeFore
Donald John DeFore was an American actor who played "the regular guy" and "the good, ol' boy next door" in many films in the 1940s and 1950s.-Life and career:...
, and Doris Day
Doris Day
Doris Day is an American actress, singer and, since her retirement from show business, an animal rights activist. With an entertainment career that spanned through almost 50 years, Day started her career as a big band singer in 1939, but only began to be noticed after her first hit recording,...
in her film debut.
It was nominated for two Academy Awards
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
, for Original Song
Academy Award for Best Original Song
The Academy Award for Best Original Song is one of the awards given annually to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . It is presented to the songwriters who have composed the best original song written specifically for a film...
for "It's Magic
It's Magic
"It's Magic" is a popular song.The music was written by Jule Styne, the lyrics by Sammy Cahn. The song was introduced by Doris Day in her film debut, Romance on the High Seas, and was published in 1947....
" (music by Jule Styne
Jule Styne
Jule Styne was a British-born American songwriter especially famous for a series of Broadway musicals, which included several very well known and frequently revived shows.-Early life:...
, lyrics by Sammy Cahn
Sammy Cahn
Sammy Cahn was an American lyricist, songwriter and musician. He is best known for his romantic lyrics to films and Broadway songs, as well as stand-alone songs premiered by recording companies in the Greater Los Angeles Area...
), and Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture
Academy Award for Best Original Score
The Academy Award for Original Score is presented to the best substantial body of music in the form of dramatic underscoring written specifically for the film by the submitting composer.-Superlatives:...
(Ray Heindorf
Ray Heindorf
Ray Heindorf was an American songwriter, composer, conductor, and arranger.-Early life:Born in Haverstraw, New York, Heindorf worked as a pianist in a movie house in Mechanicville in his early teens. In 1928, he moved to New York City, where he worked as a musical arranger before heading to...
).
Plot summary
Elvira Kent (Janis PaigeJanis Paige
Janis Paige is an American film, musical theatre and television actress. Born Donna Mae Tjaden in Tacoma, Washington, she began singing in public from the age of five in local amateur shows...
) and her husband Michael (Don DeFore
Don DeFore
Donald John DeFore was an American actor who played "the regular guy" and "the good, ol' boy next door" in many films in the 1940s and 1950s.-Life and career:...
) suspect each other of cheating. For their wedding anniversary, Elvira books an ocean cruise to Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
but her husband claims that unexpected business will prevent him from going. Seeing an opportunity, Elvira pretends to take the trip alone, but in fact sends singer Georgia Garrett (Doris Day
Doris Day
Doris Day is an American actress, singer and, since her retirement from show business, an animal rights activist. With an entertainment career that spanned through almost 50 years, Day started her career as a big band singer in 1939, but only began to be noticed after her first hit recording,...
), a woman she'd met at the travel agency, in her place and under her name. By secretly staying behind, Elvira hopes to find out if Michael is indeed sneaking around behind her back. Michael, however, is suspicious over Elvira's supposed willingness to go on the trip alone, an so hires private detective Peter Virgil (Jack Carson
Jack Carson
John Elmer "Jack" Carson was a Canadian-born U.S.-based film actor.Jack Carson was one of the most popular character actors during the 'golden age of Hollywood', with a film career spanning the 1930s, '40s and '50s...
) to see if she is sneaking around behind his back.
Peter joins the cruise and, as part of his job, becomes acquainted with Georgia. Georgia, following the instructions of the real Elvira, keeps up the ruse by pretending to be Elvira to everyone, including Peter. Georgia and Peter are attracted to each other and gradually fall in love, which causes conflict for both of them.
During one the cruise stops, Georgia friend, Oscar Farrar (Oscar Levant
Oscar Levant
Oscar Levant was an American pianist, composer, author, comedian, and actor. He was more famous for his mordant character and witticisms, on the radio and in movies and television, than for his music.-Life and career:...
), comes on board. Oscar is in love with Georgia despite Georgia's disinterest in him, and when Peter spots them together, he thinks he has discovered the identity of Elvira's lover.
Cast
- Doris DayDoris DayDoris Day is an American actress, singer and, since her retirement from show business, an animal rights activist. With an entertainment career that spanned through almost 50 years, Day started her career as a big band singer in 1939, but only began to be noticed after her first hit recording,...
as Georgia Garrett - Jack CarsonJack CarsonJohn Elmer "Jack" Carson was a Canadian-born U.S.-based film actor.Jack Carson was one of the most popular character actors during the 'golden age of Hollywood', with a film career spanning the 1930s, '40s and '50s...
as Peter Virgil - Janis PaigeJanis PaigeJanis Paige is an American film, musical theatre and television actress. Born Donna Mae Tjaden in Tacoma, Washington, she began singing in public from the age of five in local amateur shows...
as Elvira Kent - Don DeForeDon DeForeDonald John DeFore was an American actor who played "the regular guy" and "the good, ol' boy next door" in many films in the 1940s and 1950s.-Life and career:...
as Michael Kent - Oscar LevantOscar LevantOscar Levant was an American pianist, composer, author, comedian, and actor. He was more famous for his mordant character and witticisms, on the radio and in movies and television, than for his music.-Life and career:...
as Oscar Fararr - S. Z. Sakall as Lazlo Lazlo, Elvira's uncle and Michael's employer
- Fortunio BonanovaFortunio BonanovaFortunio Bonanova is the pseudonym of Josep Lluís Moll , who was a baritone singer and a film, theater, and television actor...
as Plinio - Eric BloreEric BloreEric Blore was an English comic actor. Blore was born in Finchley , England.Aged eighteeen, he worked as an insurance agent for two years. He gained theatre experience while touring Australia. Originally enlisting into the Artists Rifles he was commissioned in the South Wales Borderers in World...
as the ship's doctor - Franklin PangbornFranklin PangbornFranklin Pangborn was an American comedic character actor. Pangborn was famous for small, but memorable roles, with a comic flair. He appeared in many Preston Sturges movies as well as the W.C. Fields films International House, The Bank Dick, and Never Give a Sucker an Even Break...
as Rio hotel clerk - Leslie BrooksLeslie BrooksLeslie Brooks , born Virginia Leslie Gettman, was an American film actress.At the beginning of her career she appeared as "Lorraine Gettman". As Leslie Brooks, she began appearing in movie bit roles in 1941...
as Miss Medwick, Michael's attractive new secretary - William Blakewell as Dudley, the travel agent
- John Berkes as The Drunk (as Johnny Berkes)
- Avon LongAvon LongAvon Long was an American Broadway actor and singer.-Life:Long was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He performed in a number of Broadway shows, including Black Rhythm , Porgy and Bess , and Beggar's Holiday...
as Specialty Singer - Page CavanaughPage CavanaughPage Cavanaugh was an American jazz and pop pianist, vocalist, and arranger....
as Himself - Sir LancelotSir Lancelot (singer)Lancelot Victor Edward Pinard was a calypso singer and actor who used the name Sir Lancelot. Sir Lancelot played a major role in popularizing calypso in North America, and Harry Belafonte has acknowledged him as an inspiration and major influence.-Early life:Pinard was born in Cumuto, Trinidad...
as Specialty Singer
Songs
- "Put 'em in a Box, Tie 'em with a Ribbon and Throw 'em in the Deep Blue Sea" – Doris Day and the Page Cavanaugh Trio
- "It's Magic" – Doris Day
- "It's You or No One" – Doris Day
- "I'm in Love" – Doris Day
- "The Tourist Trade" – Avon Long
- "Run, Run, Run" – Jack Carson
- "She's a Latin from Manhattan" – Doris Day
- "Romance on the High Seas" – The Samba Kings
- "Brazilian Rhapsody" (aka Cuban Rhapsody) – Oscar Levant
Background
Originally conceived as a star vehicle for Betty HuttonBetty Hutton
Betty Hutton was an American stage, film, and television actress, comedienne and singer.-Early life:Hutton was born Elizabeth June Thornburg, daughter of a railroad foreman, Percy E. Thornburg and his wife, the former Mabel Lum . While she was very young, her father abandoned the family for...
the film had to be recast when Hutton became pregnant (and thus unavailable). Other established stars like Judy Garland
Judy Garland
Judy Garland was an American actress and singer. Through a career that spanned 45 of her 47 years and for her renowned contralto voice, she attained international stardom as an actress in musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist and on the concert stage...
and Jane Powell
Jane Powell
Jane Powell is an American singer, dancer and actress.After rising to fame as a singer in her home state of Oregon, Powell was signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer while still in her teens...
were briefly considered before Michael Curtiz was talked in to auditioning Doris Day, a well known vocalist, but hitherto not considered an actress (despite some early appearances in 1940–1941 in a number of soundies
Soundies
Soundies were an early version of the music video: three-minute musical films, produced in New York City, Chicago, and Hollywood between 1940 and 1946, often including short dance sequences. The completed Soundies were generally released within a few months of their filming; the last group was...
). Her personal life was in some turmoil at the time, as her second marriage to musician George Weidler was ending, and this combined with her evident nervousness, led her to deliver a notably teary, emotive version of Embraceable You
Embraceable You
"Embraceable You" is a popular song, with music by George Gershwin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin. The song was originally written in 1928 for an unpublished operetta named East is West. It was eventually published in 1930 and included in the Broadway musical Girl Crazy. where it was performed by...
at the audition. Impressed by her singing ability, and fresh-faced good looks Curtiz signed her to a film contract and cast her in the leading role of Georgia Garrett.
Despite the change in star and the late casting of Janis Paige
Janis Paige
Janis Paige is an American film, musical theatre and television actress. Born Donna Mae Tjaden in Tacoma, Washington, she began singing in public from the age of five in local amateur shows...
, the film was financially successful. However, much of the dialogue and pacing (as well as the costuming, and delivery of the songs) suggests the origins of the role as a Huttonesque style heroine. This type of heroine would be more in line with the roles that Day would play later in the 1960s than the "girl next door" roles that would follow shortly after and make her famous in the early 1950s.