Rose of Washington Square (1939)

Set in the colorful Prohibition era, this "genuinely captivating" (Los Angeles Times) musical stars Alice Faye as a rising Ziegfeld star who is faithful to her crooked scheming husband (Tyrone Power) even after his showdown with the law. Co-star Al Jolson performs many of his legendary songs.

Behind the Scenes "Rose of Washington Square" is one of Alice Faye's most popular screen roles and marks her final teaming with Tyrone Power. The film also features some of her most memorable songs, including "My Man."

Jolson uber alles

Fanny Brice sued (and won big money) over the clear references to her own life, and Alice Faye is not the person to do justice to the song "My Man" (see Barbra Streisand in "Funny Girl" if you want real emotion) but this is still an engrossing film with Al Jolson performing some of his signature somgs.

Faye adds little to the role of a Ziegfeld star who marries poorly, but her likeability is all that is needed. Tyrone Power is all charm and attempts to add some substance to his role as a neer-do-well gambler. There's also Bill Frawley of I Love Lucy fame in a small role, but for me the film is an unequalled chance to see Al Jolson at his very best. Jolson avoids the over-acting of his earlier starring films (near the end of his film career, he accepted third billing here) but then no one watches Jolson in films for the acting.

I guess something has to be said about blackface here. For anyone under 50 it's use must seem offensive at best and racist at worst. For people (white people) of Jolson's generation and earlier, it was an established and generally unquestioned theatrical convention. Jolson himself was not racist or even slightly predjudiced, which makes it ironic that the use of blackface which so enhanced his performances during his lifetime should cause his films and his legacy to be almost totally erased from the consciousness of later generations.

See the film. The story is compelling if a bit treacly and Alice Faye sings several songs sweetly (try saying that seven times quickly.) And if you like Jolson, he is at his very best. November 16, 2008

Jolson is the Whole Show

Fox again restores to pristine quality one of its 1930s musicals and proves once more that they really don't make them like they used to - and they can't. ROSE OF WASHINGTON SQUARE is an entertaining piece of show biz hokum but it seemed something of a jinxed production - a planned two hour extravaganza that came in at 85 minutes with tell-tale plot disruptions. The bonus materials include deleted musical scenes (always a mystery to me why a musical would delete musical sequences) but for all of the knowledgeable talking heads speaking forth nobody could shed light on what the productions problems were or why the studio changed directors. Post-production, Fanny Brice sued but that doesn't explain the apparent meltdown while filming.

Alice Faye and Tyrone Power are again teamed and their star chemistry works well in what would be (I believe) their last film together. Al Jolson is added in somewhat nominally as the third star but it really seems as though his scenes are spliced in from another movie. Indeed, although we are told that Faye and Jolson are a team we never see them perform any numbers together. He brings an undeniable energy and charisma to the film but he seems shoehorned into the proceedings. Of course, the blackface sequences are reprehensible when viewed today but it might be well to remember that this is 1939 when the term "racism" wasn't even coined yet. By then Jolson himself was sick of blacking up and made his displeasure very apparent to cast and crew. Yes, we've come a long way thank goodness. Fox wisely doctored the cover photo of Jolie on the dvd jacket by superimposing a whiteface photo of him.

The story is vaguely set in the 1920s, which even in 1939 seemed like a long time ago. For whatever reason, a number of films released that year looked back nostalgically on the 20s. A couple of footnotes: William Frawley (Fred Mertz of I Love Lucy fame)plays Jolson's manager. In real life, Frawley first introduced the song, "My Mammy," in 1920 but it flopped. Then Jolson was shown the song and the rest as they say is history. Finally, the Dutch comedy act that Jolson and Frawley are watching near the beginning of the film is NOT Weber and Fields. You can see the real Weber and Fields in another Alice Faye Fox musical on dvd, 1940's LILLIAN RUSSELL - and they are very funny. November 11, 2008

bull#@&#

i submitted a review for an item once before, and i thought it was informative and well written.even tho the item had few reviews mine was never printed.so don't waste my time and yours. November 11, 2008

Highly Enjoyable Musical

Rose of Washington Square is set in the twenties although it doesn't blatantly say so in the beginning of the film. However, the music is jazz, the law is prohibition, and the zenith of a career is being a Ziegfeld star. The film starts out with Ted (Al Jolson) and Rose (Alice Faye) who work together in vaudeville struggling to make it. On a whim, Rose leaves the group and meets Bart (Tyrone Power), a charismatic man involved in shady business. She devotes herself to him no matter what happens, and he takes it for granted as he self-destructs. Ted is in love with Rose, but he loves her so much that he will do anything for her, including help her with her romance with Bart.

Alice Faye is amazing in this film, beautiful and talented. Her voice is smooth and professional and her dancing is natural and entertaining. Tyrone Power is great in his role; he brings arrogance, charm, and youth to the screen. Al Jolson is always a delight to see. His acting scenes are very good, but it is sad to say that in his old age, his performing dwindled. His dancing seemed almost pathetic and uninspired, but his singing was on the mark everytime.

Because the VHS featured deleted songs, I can only assume that this DVD will too. It will be sold both separately and as part of the second Alice Faye collection. May 17, 2008

ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THIS MOVIE !!!!!!

Its simple..its not on DVD!!!! This was last released 10 years ago isn't it about time the DVD version came out? The studios put so much time , energy and effort in making these musicals and we arent being allowed to view them in the best possible way!!! Get With it Fox! Murdoch spend some of those billions and re-master these old films so they can be enjoyed the way they were meant to be enjoyed!!! July 19, 2007

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