ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS [1948 / 2020] [Warner Archive Collection] [Blu-ray] [USA Release] From the Atlantic to the Pacific, no Musical was ever so terrific! Warner Bros. New High Hilarity On This Naughty Nautical Musical Joy-Ride!
Bon voyage! Georgia Garrett [Doris Day] singing career may not be going anywhere, but she is. Georgia Garrett’s on a cruise, sailing under the name Mrs. Elvira Kent [Doris Day] while the real Mrs. Elvira Kent [Janis Paige] secretly stays home to spy on her presumably philandering hubby. Meanwhile, the husband hires a spy to snoop on his supposedly voyaging wife.
Doris Day makes her maiden film voyage, debuting as Georgia in a colourful bauble afloat on romantic seas. The studio surrounds the sunny overnight screen sensation with top talent: Michael Curtiz directs, the Epstein brothers provide the script, Busby Berkeley guides musical numbers, Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn create the tunes, and co-stars include Oscar Levant and Jack Carson. “It’s Magic” Doris Day sings. Yes, it is.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 1949 Academy Awards: Nominated: Best Music for an Original Song for Jule Styne (music) and Sammy Cahn (lyrics) for the song "It's Magic." Nominated: Best Music for Scoring of a Musical Picture for Ray Heindorf.
FILM FACT No.2: Originally conceived as a star vehicle for Betty Hutton, 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 persuaded to audition Doris Day, then known as a band vocalist, but hitherto not considered an actress. 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, Michael 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. Before meeting Betty Hutton's replacement, director Michael Curtiz's requirements were that she had to be beautiful, that she had to be able to sing and dance, and that, above all, she must have "sparkle." After dozens of young women failed to match Michael Curtiz's specifications, Doris Day was finally introduced to him. He immediately perked up and exclaimed, "This is it. This is the most everything dame I have ever seen."
Cast: Jack Carson, Janis Paige, Don DeFore, Doris Day, Oscar Levant, S.Z. Sakall, Fortunio Bonanova, Eric Blore, Franklin Pangborn, Leslie Brooks, William Bakewell, Johnny Berkes, Avon Long, Page Cavanaugh, Page Cavanaugh Trio, Sir Lancelot, The Samba Kings (Musical Ensemble), John Alvin (uncredited), Nestor Amaral (uncredited), John Arnold (uncredited), Carlos Barbe (uncredited), Barbara Bates (uncredited), Brandon Beach (uncredited), María Belmar (uncredited), Mary Benoit (uncredited), George Boyce (uncredited), Paul Bradley (uncredited), Chet Brandenburg (uncredited), Leonard Bremen (uncredited), Kenneth Britton (uncredited), Tex Brodus (uncredited), Norma Brown (uncredited), Robert Cabal (uncredited), James Carlisle (uncredited), Steve Carruthers (uncredited), Wheaton Chambers (uncredited), Tristram Coffin (uncredited), G. Pat Collins (uncredited), Gino Corrado (uncredited), Oliver Cross (uncredited), Frank Dae (uncredited), Jay Eaton (uncredited), Joe Evans (uncredited), Mary Field (uncredited), Bess Flowers (uncredited), Charles Fogel (uncredited), Phyllis Forbes (uncredited), Gerry Ganzer (uncredited), Joe Gilbert (uncredited), Fred Godoy (uncredited), Dick Gordon (uncredited), Sandra Gould (uncredited), Stuart Hall (uncredited), Sam Harris (uncredited), John Holland (uncredited), Stuart Holmes (uncredited), Emory Johnson (uncredited), Dick Johnstone (uncredited), Douglas Kennedy (uncredited), Kay Koury (uncredited), Otto Kruger (uncredited), Louise Lane (uncredited), Perk Lazelle (uncredited), Ruth Lewis (uncredited), King Lockwood (uncredited), Leota Lorraine (uncredited), Robert Locke Lorraine (uncredited), Wilbur Mack (uncredited), Thomas Martin (uncredited), Martin Mason (uncredited), Clyde McLeod (uncredited), Frank McLure (uncredited), Harold Miller (uncredited), Ray Montgomery (uncredited), George Moro (uncredited), Sol Murgi (uncredited), George Nardelli (uncredited), George N. Neise (uncredited), Maila Nurmi (uncredited), Eddie Parks (uncredited), Rosemary Pettit (uncredited), Paul Power (uncredited), Jean Ransome (uncredited), Frances Rey (uncredited), Larry Rio (uncredited), Ramon Ros (uncredited), Susanne Rosser (uncredited), Edith Russell (uncredited), Paul Russell (uncredited), Frank J. Scannell (uncredited), Scott Seaton (uncredited), Cyril Smith (uncredited), Owen Song (uncredited), Ted Stanhope (uncredited), Paul Stathes (uncredited), Grady Sutton (uncredited), George Suzanne (uncredited), Tyra Vaughn (uncredited), Janet Warren (uncredited), Martin Wilkins (uncredited) and Victor Zimmerman (uncredited)
Directors: Michael Curtiz and Busby Berkeley (musical scenes)
Producers: Alex Gottlieb and George Amy
Screenplay: Julius J. Epstein (screenplay), Philip G. Epstein (screenplay), I.A.L. Diamond (additional dialogue), Carlos A. Olivari (story "Romance in High C") and Sixto Pondal Ríos (story "Romance in High C")
Composers: Oscar Levant and Ray Heindorf
Musical Numbers Created and Director: Busby Berkeley
Cinematography: Elwood Bredell, A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio: 1.37:1
Audio: English: 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio
Subtitles: English SDH
Running Time: 99 minutes
Region: All Regions
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Warner Archive Collection
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: The great Doris Day became a movie star in the musical comedy ‘ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS’ [1948]. The Blu-ray has been 4K scanned from the original nitrate Technicolor negatives, and is truly a feast for the eyes and ears. And it's also quite a delightful Hollywood film musical!
Doris Day plays nightclub singer Georgia Garrett, who lucks into the job of a lifetime when wealthy Mrs. Elvira Kent [Janis Paige] hires Georgia Garrett to take a South American cruise under her name. While Georgia Garrett is pretending to be Mrs. Elvira Kent, the actual Mrs. Elvira Kent is secretly staying home to spy on her hardworking hubby Mr. Michael Kent [Don DeFore] and make sure he's faithful.
Michael is worried about the same issue and hires a private detective, Peter Virgil [Jack Carson], to take the cruise and spy on Elvira Kent. When Peter Virgil and Elvira Kent aka Doris Day fall in love, all manner of complications ensue, especially when Oscar Farrar [Oscar Levant], who wants to marry Georgia Garrett, shows up.
It all builds to a riotous climax in a Rio hotel, with Michael repeatedly visiting his wife's room, only to find a different person in bed each time he enters and more people inexplicably hiding in the closet... it's laugh out loud funny no matter how many times you view the film.
Those hilarious scenes segue into the wonderful final sequence, which has to be one of my favourite scenes of all time; when Doris Day takes the stage to reprise "It's Magic," it's so, well, magical that it never fails to make me cry. The swelling of the music, the way Jack Carson looks at Doris, and wow, the pullback shot with all those multi-coloured balloons, which are absolutely eye-popping on the Blu-ray... I could watch that scene on an endless loop.
The film ‘ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS’ is a "Technicolor fantasyland," and the production design is such that the movie would be worth seeing simply for the visual "eye candy," including sumptuous sets and costumes. That's truer now than ever thanks to this Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray disc release.
Doris Day said that from the beginning of her film career she "felt a nice exhilaration" when she stepped in front of a camera and heard "Action!" Despite this being her first film, she's a completely confident and natural big screen performer. Georgia is more brash than a typical Doris role, but when she launches into song the true Doris warmth and honesty breaks through; songs like "Put 'Em in a Box" and "It's You or No One" are great, along with, of course, "It's Magic."
Doris Day is well supported every step of the way by Jack Carson n as the confused detective, Oscar Levant as the love-struck, witty pianist, Janis Paige as the glamorous socialite, and Don DeFore as the befuddled husband. The cast is rounded out by S.Z. Sakall, Fortunio Bonanova, Grady Sutton, Leslie Brooks, Eric Blore, and Franklin Pangborn. Sutton and Pangborn, in particular, have a couple very funny lines. Additional music is provided by the Page Cavanaugh Trio, Sir Lancelot, Avon Long, and The Samba Kings.
‘ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS’ was directed by Michael Curtiz and filmed by Elwood Bredell. The entertaining screenplay was written by Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein of ‘Casablanca’ fame, with additional dialogue by I.A.L. Diamond. ‘ROMANCE ON THE SEAS’ is upbeat, delightful entertainment, which we can all use now more than ever. Add to that the stunning visuals, and this Warner Archive Collection Blu-ray disc is a "must buy," one of the best releases of the year, especially if you are a Doris Day fan like me.
ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS MUSIC TRACK LIST
SHE’S A LATIN FROM MANHATTAN (uncredited) (Music by Harry Warren) (Lyrics by Al Dubin) [Sung briefly by Doris Day in the travel agency]
I’M IN LOVE (uncredited) (Music by Jule Styne) (Lyrics by Sammy Cahn) [Sung by Doris Day]
IT’S YOU OR NO ONE (uncredited) (Music by Jule Styne) (Lyrics by Sammy Cahn) [Sung by Doris Day]
THE TOURIST TRADE (uncredited) (Music by Jule Styne) (Lyrics by Sammy Cahn) [Sung by Avon Long]
IT’S MAGIC (uncredited) (Music by Jule Styne) (Lyrics by Sammy Cahn) [Sung by Doris Day]
PUT ‘EM IN A BOX TIE ‘EM WITH A RIBBON (and Throw 'em in the Deep Blue Sea) (uncredited) (Music by Jule Styne) (Lyrics by Sammy Cahn) [Sung by Doris Day and the Page Cavanaugh Trio]
IT’S YOU OR NO ONE (Reprise) (uncredited) (Music by Jule Styne) (Lyrics by Sammy Cahn) [Sung by Doris Day]
RUN, RUN, RUN (uncredited) (Music by Jule Styne) (Lyrics by Sammy Cahn) [Sung by Jack Carson]
IT’S MAGIC (Reprise) (uncredited) (Music by Jule Styne) (Lyrics by Sammy Cahn) [Sung by Doris Day]
ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS aka "In Trinidad" (uncredited) (Music by Jule Styne) (Lyrics by Sammy Cahn) [Sung by the Samba Kings]
BRAZILIAN MELODY aka "Cuban Rhapsody" (uncredited) (Music by Jule Styne, Ray Heindorf and Oscar Levant) [Performed by Oscar Levant]
IT’S MAGIC (Finale) (uncredited) (Music by Jule Styne) (Lyrics by Sammy Cahn) [Sung by Doris Day]
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Blu-ray Image Quality – Warner Archive Collection presents us ‘ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS’ with a brand new 1080p beautiful remastered outstanding image that Warner Archive Collection has outdone themselves once again and was sourced from a recent 4K scan of the original nitrate negative. ‘ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS’ absolutely sparkles with clarity and especially the colours are another star of the show, ranging from tightly coordinated interiors to the vivid rainbow hues of balloons, open markets, and tropical fruits. It also showcases its terrific production design in ways that make the overall viewing experience so much more enjoyable. Fine detail and textures are perfectly resolved, from crisp double-breasted suits to stylish furniture and other props, while the silvery sheen of its nitrate stock also contributes to the film's extremely pleasing appearance. So all in all, Warner Archive Collection definitely gets a five star rating from me.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Warner Archive Collection brings us the film in a newly remastered 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio experience and definitely represents a very strong effort that likely surpasses original theatrical showings. Dialogue and background effects are clear and well balanced, occasionally mixed with sound effects and the music that sounds perfectly well-balanced. Of course the sporadic song breaks sound excellent as well, even if it's obvious when someone's lip-syncing. No obvious defects could be detected including sync issues, drop-outs, volume fluctuations, hissing, or pops, just pure, unfiltered audio that reliably gets the job done.
* * * * *
Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: M-G-M Vintange Cartoon: Hare Splitter [1948] [480i] [1.37:1] [7:09] When Bugs Bunny arrives for his date with Daisy Lou and finds her out shopping, Bugs Bunny dresses up like Daisy Lou and has a little success at first, completely fooling the dummy Casbah and getting some shots at him that the foolish one thinks are merely a part of Daisy Lou's explosive personality. This is your typical Bugs Bunny cartoon, complete with enemy, explosive carrots and enough slapstick to keep Bugs Bunny fans happy. Voice Cast: Mel Blanc (Bugs Bunny / Casbah), Sara Berner (Various) (uncredited) and June Foray (Daisy Lou) (uncredited). Director: Friz Freleng. Producer: Edward Selzer (uncredited). Screenplay: Tedd Pierce (story). Composer: Carl W. Stalling (uncredited).
Special Feature: Let's Sing A Song From The Movies [1948] [480i] [1.37:1] [10:43] Warner Bros. Presents the Black-and-White “Memories From Melody Lane with the Melody Makers or the Sing-alongs and the lyrics are projected on the screen and is narrated by Art Gilmore. What we get to view samples from the Warner Bros. and offers a brief look at classic songs featured in early Warner Bros. sound films, and a plethora of film clips and what we to view are ‘On With The Show’ [1929[ including Billie Holliday's "Am I Blue?" and performed by Ethel Waters. Then we get a clip from ‘Footlight Parade’ [1933] and the outstanding song "By A Waterfall." Then finally we get to view a clip from ‘The Time, the Place and the Girl’ [1946] and the song “A Gal in Calico” that is sung by Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson).
Theatrical Trailer [1948] [1080p] [1.37:1] [2:21] This is the original Theatrical Trailer for the film ‘ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS.’ This fun promotional piece has been wonderfully remastered, so enjoy! This is a very unusual trailer that features Doris Day and Janis Paige singing special lyrics that provide a bouncy preview of what the film is about. Janis Paige’s brief duet makes us wonder why Janis Paige wasn’t given at least one number in the film. This is followed by the usual coming attractions and an announcer’s ballyhooing.
BONUS: Song Selection: You have the chance to gain immediate access to all 12 of the main outstanding songs featured in the film ‘ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS.’
Finally, ‘ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS’ is a fun, entertaining and sometimes charming romantic-comedy-musical with a star-making performance from Doris Day in her feature film debut. The Blu-ray from Warner Archive Collection offers up excellent video and audio transfers making this a worthwhile pick up for fans of these types of Hollywood musical films. The film is said to be shot on location in Colombia and Brazil, but mostly appears to be filmed at Stage 28, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios in California. There’s no genuine sense of location, but that’s all right. ‘ROMANCE ON THE HIGH SEAS’ is more fantasy than reality. Described as a “pastel pleasure cruise,” and originally entitled “Romance in High C,” is a blast of high octane laughter. Doris Day shows off what will become her trademark gifts; an ability to create great chemistry with co-stars, a talent for delivering laughs and charm, and her winning singing voice. Everyone in the film looks like they’re having a great time. Chances are, you will, too. Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
