With a Song in My Heart Reviews

This fairly accurate film biography stars Susan Hayward as singer Jane Froman, whose story is told in flashback. In 1936 she gets her first break on a Cincinnati radio station, and from there it's on to personal appearances at Radio City Music Hall and across the country. Although she's somewhat ambivalent about the match, Jane eventually marries her mentor, Don Ross (David Wayne). Problems arise, however, as Don becomes jealous of his wife's success. When Jane goes off to entertain the troops during WWII, her plane crashes off the Portuguese coast. Rescued by pilot John Burn (Rory Calhoun), the badly injured singer undergoes a difficult recuperation in a Lisbon hospital, becoming fast friends with her nurse, Clancy (Thelma Ritter, whose character is fictional). John, meanwhile, falls in love with Jane, who stifles her own feelings because she is married. She returns to the US, undergoes a series of painful operations (with faithful Clancy by her side), and works with Don's help to get her career back on track. There are setbacks along the way, including a serious argument with Don, but eventually Jane makes a triumphant comeback and Don frees her to marry John. Froman provides Hayward's singing voice, to glorious effect, in a host of standards from various writers (with uncredited background vocals provided by the Skylarks, Modernaires, Melody Men, King's Men, Starlighters, and Four Girlfriends). Five-time Oscar nominee Hayward, as always, gives her best, making WITH A SONG IN MY HEART a satisfying film on all levels.