ROSE OF WASHINGTON SQUARE is one of Alice Faye's most memorable and entertaining films.  She sings effectively many great standards plus a beautiful new ballad written for the picture.  Fannie Brice sued the studio and stars because it was obvious to her that some of the songs and the romantic interest presented in the film struck alarmingly close to home.  The studio, after much publicity, settled out of court.  Al Jolson fans will be pleased that he is prominently featured in this film and sings many of his big hits.  Tyrone Power plays a cad, but a charming one, and he and Alice Faye once again display their intense on-screen chemistry.  The film's transfer to DVD is clean and the sound is fine.  

HOLLYWOOD CAVALCADE is a delightful depiction of early Hollywood from the silents to the talkies.  After being discovered by Don Ameche in a stage production, Alice Faye is persuaded to accompany him to Hollywood to star under his direction in silent films.  Among the silent film luminaries you will see are Buster Keaton, Mack Sennett, Ben Turpin, Chester Conklin, and the Keystone Kops.  Alice seems right at home and proves that she would have been a delectable silent film star.  The last half of the film shifts emphasis once talkies become all the rage.  Don ignores Alice, so her attention is drawn to handsome leading man Alan Curtis, and they eventually marry.  They become top stars as Don's fortunes are fading.  Many problems ensue, but everything eventually works out.  A thoroughly engrossing look at early Hollywood.  Although Alice doesn't sing a note, she gives a sterling performance along with her co-star Don Ameche.  The color is beautiful and clear, and we could find no problem with the sound.  

THE GREAT AMERICAN BROADCAST is a fictional account of the invention of radio with some facts thrown in.  This is a thoroughly entertaining film containing some of Alice Faye's best singing and fine performances from all of the principals.  Many of the entertainment world's best specialty acts appear, including the Nicholas Brothers, the Four Ink Spots, and the Wiere Brothers.  Alice's beautiful rendering of the haunting Where You Are with the Four Ink Spots is a gem.  The insertion of the actual newsreel footage of the Willard-Dempsey fight in the regular footage of the film is expertly accomplished.  The transfer to DVD is crisp an clear, and the sound is good.  

HELLO, FRISCO, HELLO was the vehicle chosen to return Alice Faye to the screen after the birth of her first daughter.  Her studio and fans were eager for her return.  Dressed in beautiful period costumes, Alice is stunning, with a tiny waist never seen in her previous pictures.  She sings ten songs, including a heartfelt You'll Never Know, a song which took the country by storm and won the Academy Award.  John Payne plays an unsympathetic role but acquits himself well.  Jack Oakie, June Havoc, Lynn Bari, and Laird Cregar are all first-rate.   The story is an incidental one about love lost and regained, but it is a fast-paced, beautiful movie both to the eyes and ears, with opulent sets and outstanding musical numbers.  The color in this transfer is vivid and the sound is crisp and clear.  (Note:  We must register our disappointment that the theatrical trailer used in this package is in black and white.)  

FOUR JILLS IN A JEEP brings to film the adventures of four actresses who entertained the troops during World War 2.  Kay Francis, Carole Landis, Martha Raye, and Mitzi Mayfair all appear as themselves and are all splendid, especially Martha Raye, who is always delightful to watch.  Dick Haymes is introduced in this film, and he seems very relaxed in front of the camera and sings beautifully.  Fox evidently decided to bolster the box-office appeal of the picture by including cameo appearances by three of its top female stars:  Alice Faye, Betty Grable, and  Carmen Miranda.  Betty sings Cuddle Up A Little Closer, Carmen sings I, Yi, Yi, Yi, Yi, I Like You Very Much, while Alice sings her signature song You'll Never Know, which was so popular during the war years.  The film has been transferred with pristine results both in picture and sound.

When Jasmine Records released the first of these 2-CD sets of Alice Faye's musical performances on the screen, our website had not yet been created.  With the release of the second 2-CD set, we have decided to review them both at this time.

 JASCD-105/6  ALICE FAYE - - - GOT MY MIND ON MUSIC (released in 1997)
 JASCD-141-2  ALICE FAYE - - - I FEEL A SONG COMING ON (released in 2007)

 The combination of these two releases is the most comprehensive tribute ever accorded this wonderful singing star, with a total of 106 tracks. 

Almost a dozen of these songs were deleted from various Faye films.  The sound is bright and clear and is among the best released on CD of her screen performances. 

Both sets have been beautifully packaged and have extensive notes by Geoff Milne.
 We compliment Jasmine Records for a job well done.