Till the Clouds Roll By (1946)
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100% of critics liked it
(6 reviews) -
42% of users liked it
(885 ratings)
MGM's Till the Clouds Roll By is the musicalized, and highly fictionalized, life story of beloved composer Jerome Kern, who gave his blessing to the production shortly before his death in 1946. As played by a gray-templed Robert Walker, Kern is a likeable but none too exciting sort who expresses… More MGM's Till the Clouds Roll By is the musicalized, and highly fictionalized, life story of beloved composer Jerome Kern, who gave his blessing to the production shortly before his death in 1946. As played by a gray-templed Robert Walker, Kern is a likeable but none too exciting sort who expresses his emotions through his music. Constructed in the form of an extended flashback, the story proper begins at the turn of the century, as Kern tries to peddle his ditties to disinterested Broadway producers. His efforts to interest impresario Charles Frohman (Harry Hayden) go nowhere because Frohman is convinced that the only good music comes from Europe. Obligingly, Kern moves to London, where he meets and falls in love with his future wife Eva (Dorothy Patrick). On the verge of securing work with Frohman, Kern's hopes are dashed when the producer goes down with the Lusitania in 1915. Fortunately, Kern has developed such powerful U.S. contacts as Victor Herbert (Paul Maxey) and Oscar Hammerstein (Paul Langton), enabling him to find success as the composer of several "intimate" musicals for New York's Princess Theater. The film ends where it begins, with Kern's triumph as composer of the Broadway blockbuster Show Boat. Van Heflin weaves in and out of the proceedings as the obligatory best friend/severest critic, a musical arranger named Jim Hessler (purportedly based on longtime Kern associate Paul Sadler). No one in 1946 really cared about the dramatic passages of Till the Clouds Roll By; the film's biggest drawing card was its lineup of all-star MGM talent, performing Kern's most famous numbers. Judy Garland (as Marilyn Miller) sings "Look for the Silver Lining"; Dinah Shore performs "The Last Time I Saw Paris" before a back-projected "Gay Paree"; Kathryn Grayson does a Rita Hayworth imitation with "Long Ago and Far Away"; Virginia O'Brien deadpans "A Fine Romance"; Tony Martin warbles "All the Things You Are"; June Allyson and Ray McDonald team up for the title number; and Frank Sinatra, incongruously dressed in white tuxedo, runs through "Ol' Man River." In addition, other musical contributions are made by Van Johnson, Angela Lansbury, Cyd Charisse, Gower Champion, and Lucille Bremer (cast as Van Heflin's daughter). The film's high point comes at the very beginning with a Reader's Digest edition of Show Boat, featuring Lena Horne, as Julie (the role she was born to play, but never did again on screen), delivering a powerhouse rendition of "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man." Since lapsing into public domain in 1974, Till the Clouds Roll By has, along with Royal Wedding, become the most readily accessible of all MGM musicals. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- George Sidney (I), Richard Whorf
- Written By
- Myles Connolly, Jean Holloway
- Genres
- Documentary, Musical & Performing Arts, Classics
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1947 Wide
- Studio
- MGM Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
OK Jerome Kern musical, with some well done Vincente Minnelli musical numbers added to the mix.
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Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Star-packed MGM musical is more about Jerome Kern's music than Kern himself.
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Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
MGM's bland musical biopics about Kern distorts basic facts, and lacks energy and imagination; the only good sequences feature Judy Garland and are staged by then husband Vincente Minnelli.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Flat biopic of Jerome Kern salvaged by some production numbers.
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Cast
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June Allyson
as Guest Performer
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Robert Walker
as Jerome Kern
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Judy Garland
as Marilyn Miller
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Lucille Bremer
as Sally
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Gower Champion
as Dance Specialty
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Cyd Charisse
as Dance Specialty
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Joan Wells
as Sally as a girl
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Van Heflin
as James I. Hessler
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Bruce Cowling
as Steve
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Dorothy Patrick
as Mrs. Jerome Kern
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Rex Evans
as Cecil Keller
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Paul Langton
as Oscar Hammerstein II
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Byron Foulger
as Frohman's Secretary
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William Halligan
as Capt. Andy
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Harry Hayden
as Charles Frohman
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Lena Horne
as Julie
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Johnny Johnston
as Finale
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Van Johnson
as Band Leader
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Maurice Kelly
as Dance Specialties
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Angela Lansbury
as Guest
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Tony Martin
as Revenal
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Paul Maxey
as Victor Herbert
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Ray McDonald
as Guest Performer
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Mary Nash
as Mrs. Muller
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Virginia O'Brien
as Ellie
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Caleb Peterson
as Joe
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William 'Bill' Phillips
as Hennessey
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Dinah Shore
as Julie Sanderson
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Frank Sinatra
as Finale
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Ray Teal
as Orchestra Conductor
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Jean Andren
as Secretary
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Stanley Andrews
as Doctor
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Lee Bennett Sobel
as Stage Door Johnnies
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Margaret Bert
as Maid
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Ann Codee
as Miss Laroche
- Elspeth Dudgeon
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Ralph Dunn
as Moving Man
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James Finlayson
as Candy Vendor
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William Forrest
as Motion Picture Director
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Kathryn Grayson
as Magnolia
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Mary Hatcher
as Chorus Girl
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Herbert Heywood
as Stagehand
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Russell Hicks
as Motion Picture Producer
- Reed Howes
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Lilyan Irene
as Barmaid
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Thomas Louden
as Rural Postman
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Howard Mitchell
as Detective
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Robert E. O'Connor
as Clerk
- Lee Phelps
- Larry Steers
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Tom Stevenson
as Genius
- Irene Vernon
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Wilde Twins
as Specialty
- Larry Williams
- Sally Forrest
- Fr. George Murray
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John Albright
as Call Boy
- Alma Carroll
- Lucille Casey
- Harry Denny
- Tony Merlo
- John Alban
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Wesley Brent
as Showgirl
- Darrell James Roodt
- Dick Earle
- Mary Jane French
- Herschel Graham
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Charles Griffin
as Opening Night Critic
- Fred Hueston
- Mickey Malloy
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Louis Manley
as Swivel Chair Lady
- Frank McClure
- Beryl McCutcheon
- Bob McLean
- Alice Wallace
- Don Wayson
- George Peters
- Lee Smith
- Esther Williams
