Words and Music is a 1948 American biographical musical film loosely based on the creative partnership of the composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Lorenz Hart. The film stars Mickey Rooney as Hart and Tom Drake as Rodgers, along with Janet Leigh, Betty Garrett, Ann Sothern and numerous musical stars. It was the second in a series of MGM biopics about Broadway composers; it was preceded by Till the Clouds Roll By (Jerome Kern, 1946) and followed by Three Little Words (Kalmar and Ruby, 1950) and Deep in My Heart (Sigmund Romberg, 1954).
The film is best remembered for featuring the final screen pairing of Rooney and Judy Garland, and for the lavish showcasing of the Rodgers and Hart catalogue of songs. The story, as in many similar biopics of the era (such as Cole Porter’s depiction in Night and Day), was heavily fictionalized. The script sanitized Hart's complex psychological problems, alcoholism, and self-destructive behavior, which all contributed to the break-up of the writing partnership and Hart's early death, as well as changed his sexual orientation (Hart was gay).
The introduction to the film is staged as if composer Richard Rodgers were actually playing himself. Actor Tom Drake appears alone in character, identifies himself as Rodgers and tells the audience it is about to see the story of his collaboration with Lorenz Hart. (Contemporary posters from the film featured the faces of most major cast members, including Rooney, but did not show the face of Drake, and his name was in smaller type than those of the other main stars.)
Though the film performed very well at the box office, it proved to be quite an expensive production and, as a result, failed to recoup its cost in its first release. The film was issued on DVD in 2007 by Warner Bros. and extras included video and audio outtakes. Among these were two songs deleted from the film sung by Perry Como – "Lover" and "You're Nearer".
Plot
Aspiring lyricist Lorenz "Larry" Hart needs a composer for his music, so Herb Fields introduces him to Richard "Dick" Rodgers and a partnership is born in 1919. They struggle to achieve success, however, and Dick ultimately leaves the business to sell children's apparel.
Larry becomes impressed with singer Peggy Lorgan McNeil, personally and professionally. But when a show by him and Dick is finally bound for Broadway, his promise to Peggy to play the starring role is ruined because Joyce Harmon is hired to play the part. Dick is attracted to Joyce, but is judged too young to be involved with her, then too old for another woman he meets, Dorothy Feiner. Larry makes a marriage proposal to Peggy, who turns him down, and he falls into a depression. A string of hit songs and shows follow, but Larry seems unable to enjoy the success. Conflict within his partnership with Dick arises from Larry’s frequent absences.
After seeming to overcome his depression, things begin looking up for Larry as soon as Judy Garland agrees to do a movie with Rodgers and Hart music in it. Larry buys a home in California but falls back into melancholia, even after Dorothy marries Dick and invites Larry to share their home. Larry is hospitalized after collapsing at a party, but surreptitiously leaves his hospital bed one night to attend a revival of their show A Connecticut Yankee at the Martin Beck Theatre on Broadway; he stands at the back and watches the show for a moment, then abruptly exits the theater in distress and collapses again on the sidewalk. Afterwards, at a memorial benefit concert to honor Larry, Gene Kelly introduces Perry Como who then sings “With a Song in My Heart”.
Cast
Tom Drake as Richard Rodgers
Bill Lee provides Richard Rodgers' singing voice
Mickey Rooney as Lorenz Hart
Janet Leigh as Dorothy Feiner Rodgers
Marshall Thompson as Herbert Fields
Betty Garrett as Peggy Lorgan McNeil
Jeanette Nolan as Mrs. Hart
Ann Sothern as Joyce Harmon
Perry Como as Eddie Lorrison Anders / Himself, in Finale
Cyd Charisse as Margo Grant
Eileen Wilson provides Margo Grant's singing voice
Richard Quine as Ben Feiner Jr. Emory Parnell as Mr. Feiner
Guest appearances: June Allyson performs "Thou Swell" Lena Horne performs "Where or When" and "The Lady Is a Tramp" Judy Garland performs "I Wish I Were in Love Again" and "Johnny One Note" Mel Tormé performs "Blue Moon" Gene Kelly and Vera-Ellen dance "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue"