Say One for Me (1959)

Where would we be without Bing and Christmas? Where might either be without the other? Well we might find out in this rather soporifically cheesy drama that sees him don the clerical lace as "Father Conroy". He is a decent sort of priest who is very concerned when one of his innocent parishioners - "Holly" (Debbie Reynolds) takes a job with entertainer "Tony" (Robert Wagner). Now this fella has a reputation as a bit of a rake and those who perform with him at his club are more famous for their scantily clad dance routines and saucy songs than for the kind of worthy stuff the father wants her to be associated with. Gradually, though, we realise that "Tony" isn't quite the rogue he initially appears to be and the film slips effortlessly into a fairly predicable set of tram lines. What passes for it's plot is livened up by a typically engaging Reynolds who does appear to be having some fun and by a Wagner who appears relaxed and confident with his own character. For me, it is actually Crosby whose lacklustre effort is what lets this down as otherwise it is quite a lively and colourful piece of cinematic sunshine with plenty of decent songs, dance routines and mischief aplenty.