In Hollywood

This compilation brings together many of the most well remembered film musical performances of Dick Haymes and quite a few lesser-known ones too. Over the years the release of soundtrack excerpts from his films has been at the top of the 'wants' list for his fans. We have had to wait but that wait was well worth it. Of course, some tracks just could not be edited out of their film context e.g. 'Moonlight Propaganda' and 'Do You Love Me' but the bonus is the inclusion of songs from a wider range of musicals dating from 1943 to 1953. "Let The Rest of the World Go By" was adopted by Haymes as his theme tune for many years, became a million seller and because "Irish Eyes are Smiling" had had a major release it was the film that most of this fans saw first and remembered so well. Possibly his greatest romantic moment came when he serenaded Betty Grable on a riverboat in "Diamond Horseshoe" singing "The More I See You" which was another million seller. Again with Grable but this time with the added bonus of a Gershwin score "For You, For Me, For Evermore" is a pairing the likes of which we never got again. The romance is there, the song is beautifully constructed and it was a personal favourite of both artistes. The fast moving production number "Costa Rica" which has him in a duet with Celeste Holm demonstrates how at ease Haymes was with faster tempo material but it is songs like "'Mi Vida" and their slower and more romantic pace that made him so popular. "Close as Pages in a Book" didn't even get into the film "Up in Central Park" as it suffered from cutting room syndrome. It would have been the saving grace of an otherwise disappointing film, which makes its exclusion even more puzzling. The duet between Deanna Durbin and Haymes was the only number in the film that he really rated simply dismissing the rest of the score! The set closes with "Cruisin' Down the River" which includes one of the finest performances of Haymes film musical career, his rendition of "Swing Low Sweet Chario"' not only is his phrasing perfection but he sings the song with such sincerity. This may well be a trip down memory lane but it demonstrates how consistently Dick Haymes was able to create a magical moment in film that now transfers in sound alone so perfectly. The running time is approx 79 minutes and the original mono sound is crisp and clear throughout. The excellent and well-researched liner notes are by Geoff Milne and this is a must for both Haymes and film musical collectors.