Young Man with a Horn

1950 - 112 mins - Director: Michael Curtiz - Cast: Kirk Douglas, Doris Day, Lauren Bacall - b&w - DCP

Star-crossed jazzman Rick Martin (Kirk Douglas) lives for his music, but arrogance (and alcohol) threaten to ruin him. Doris Day is the loyal singer whose love is unrequited, and Lauren Bacall is the woman he craves but can’t comprehend. 

Carl Foreman’s script takes a few daring turns for a musical drama of the era, bolstered by Michael Curtiz’s dazzling direction and stunning camerawork by Ted McCord, Especially memorable are Rick’s horn solos provided by musical advisor Harry James - not to mention Doris Day’s enchanting vocal turns. And for 1950s Hollywood, Bacall’s character is as “out” as a lesbian could be. Dorothy Baker’s novel, inspired by the life of cornetist Bix Beiderbecke, gets the full-blown Hollywood treatment here. Adding depth and soul are the fantastic supporting performances by Hoagy Carmichael (an actual compadre of Beiderbecke) and Juano Hernandez as Rick’s mentor. 

CREDITS
Director: Michael Curtiz
Cast: Kirk Douglas, Doris Day, Lauren Bacall, Hoagy Carmichael, Juano Hernández
Screenplay: Carl Foreman, Edmund H. North
Cinematographer: Ted D. McCord
Music: Ray Heindorf
Studio: Warner Brothers
Presentation: DCP / b&w / 1.37:1