'Top o the morning' barely entertained me. I'd not seen it for years when someone lent me a copy a year ago and I was very disapointed in it. Ann Blyth wasan  accomplished perfcormer, like Bing, but even tjhey could do little with that material.

Connected only by the thread of the Blarney Stone, (the stolen object in the storyline of the film), at Blarney Castle, there is by coincidence a news report about a court case involving the owners, here-
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2307230/Former-lady-Blarney-Castle-wins-damages-called-psycho-blog-daughter-husbands-lover.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
and here
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/9985544/Former-lady-of-Blarney-Castle-wins-damages-after-being-branded-psycho.html

One of the more memorable musical scenes, to my mind at least, is ''The Donovans''




But then the complete movie is here 



 

At first I was lukewarm to this film, but have grown to love it.   Bing's acting is perfection here.  He's wonderful and funny, and sexy.  The chemistry between Ann Blyth and Bing is unmistakeable.  I asked Ms. Blyth about her friendship with Bing at Dolores Hope's 100th birthday party.  She didn't say anything more than they used to go out dancing.  She didn't mention whether this was during the time of filming or later on.  The love scenes and duet she does with Bing are very cozy, very warm and believable.  The film does take an unexpected turn when Hume Cronyn's secret is revealed.  The romance is very well-developed and seems to grow naturally, unlike many films.  We also have the pleasure of seeing Bing do a little big of a jig during the Donovan number.  He's like a welcome breath of Spring when he appears in the doorway of the house during the party.  The scene where Blyth is trying to figure out where the green pocket is in his jacket is very 'well-handled.'   An enjoyable film from Bing's last remaining years as a romantic lead........M

Perhaps the title was just a bit of an overstatement.  Maybe initial expectations for the film would have been more reasonable had it been titled "Middle of the Morning."

IT is on again on this w/E on TCM. Check your guide for showing in your area.

Archiefit wrote:

My cable set up only allows me to record one show at a time (I don't use a DVR) unless I want to shell out for 2 cable boxes, one's bad enough.   Just to be safe since this movie seems to only be shown once every 20 years I recorded it twice.  I really like all of Bing's movies from the '50's including Top O' The Morning and really don't understand why Paramount has yet to release it and colorize it, be great to see all the greens!

I also like this movie and I guess I must be the only one around who really likes (not loves) Say One For Me.   It's one of 3 movies I watch almost every Christmas along with Holiday Inn & White Christmas.  I dislike intensely the sickening conceited act that Robert Wagner goes into during this movie but ignoring Wagner and Debbie Reynolds weird vibrating eyeballs when she's supposed to be in love I like this movie, especially Bing's "Secret of Christmas" that alone is worth watching the movie.  I also really like Ray Walston and Joe Besser, so I have several reasons to watch each year (or mostly every year).   Here's a movie that really needs a widescreen DVD release.

Interesting post as always! Probably my favorite Bing movie of the 1950s...leaving the popular The Country Girl, White Christmas, and High Society, would be Mr. Music. Bing was in fine voice, I loved the songs, and this movie needs to be re-released and colorized as well. 

I can't get past Robert Wagner or Debbie Reynolds in Say One For Me, but I'll have to give it another chance just for you Lee. The soundtrack is great though!