Doris Day and Danny Thomas star in “I’ll See You in My Dreams,” the dramatized true story of lyricist Gus Kahn, who penned such classics as “It Had to Be You,” “Too-too-Tootsie, Goodbye,” “My Buddy,” and “I’ll See You in My Dreams.” I was glad to see this film—I’ve heard these songs my whole life and never knew who wrote them.
Gus is the son of poor German immigrants and he wants a better life for himself. He’s written several song lyrics and poems and hopes to sell them to a sheet music company, but when he takes his work in, he’s told by Grace Le Boy (Day) that today’s audience wants love songs. He’s frustrated—he’s spent four years writing patriotically uplifting songs and doesn’t know how to write anything else. But he shows up on her doorstep that night with a love song in his hand. At first put off by his brusque ways but now charmed by them, Grace sets his words to music and they hit the pavement, creating a hit. After working together for a few more years, half their songs are good and half aren’t quite so good, and she encourages him to work with a new composer who will really put his words on the map. He declines, saying that he only wants to work with her, but she tricks him into thinking the new melody is hers. When Gus finds out another composer wrote it, he’s furious, but he proposes, which she’s been waiting a long time for him to do.
Over the years of their marriage, they have many ups and downs, but Grace is there through all of it, helping make decisions and doing what’s best for Gus’s career. But this proves to be too much for him after the stock market crash of 1929—he feels like less of a man and doesn’t appreciate her taking the reins. He leaves her for a time and only a breakdown on his part brings them back together again.
This movie is filled with great music and good acting, and I loved putting the face of the lyricist on these songs I’ve loved for years.
This film was not rated.
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