The Country Girl (1954)

Against the strong wishes of his producer (Anthony Ross), a theatre director (William Holden) insists on a washed up alcoholic actor (Bing Crosby) for the play's lead. The director and the actor's wife (Grace Kelly in her Oscar winning role) immediately clash with the director resenting the wife's influence on the actor which he feels is detrimental. Based on the play by Clifford Odets (GOLDEN BOY) and directed by George Seaton (AIRPORT). A straight drama in its original stage production, the film has been rewritten to accommodate Crosby's singing so instead of a dramatic actor, Crosby's character is a musical comedy star and recording artist thus allowing for several musical numbers. It's a pity because while Crosby's dramatic moments are very good, the musical sequences slow the movie down and we never see what makes Crosby's musical performer so special and why Holden's director is insistent on casting him. While I don't think it's a great film, it's a solid melodrama though its Oscar nominations for best picture, director and screenplay are dubious. With Gene Reynolds and Jacqueline Fontaine whose nightclub singer is a highpoint.