Customer Reviews

Billy Rose's Jumbo (1962 Film Soundtrack)

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The soundtrack to the film "Jumbo", also known as "Billy Roses's Jumbo" is a musical treat for lovers of good music, beautifully sung.

The film was MGM's big holiday release during the 1962-63 movie season and starred the world's number one box-office attraction, Doris Day. The grosses, however, did not quite measure up to the blockbuster comedies Miss Day was making during that time, the film being labeled old-fashioned and corny. That does not diminish in any way the outstanding musical score of the film and the soundtrack does full justice to that score.

Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart composed the score for "Jumbo" for it's stage debut at the Hippodrome in New York City in the 1930's. They were at their peak as a team and "Jumbo" contains some of their finest work. George Stoll and his MGM musicians bring out the best in those songs and the arrangements effectively capture the magic and wonder of the Big-Top, in which the story is set.

Among the most famous songs from the score are "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World", "My Romance", and "Little Girl Blue". For the film another Rodgers and Hart song was added from another score, "This Can't Be Love". It's a nice addition.

Doris Day has rarely sounded better, vocally. Her voice had taken on a maturity and depth, after twenty years of singing professionally, as well as a sensuality that is most affecting. From her exuberant "Over and Over Again" and "The Circus on Parade" to the poignant "My Romance" and the heartbreakingly real "Little Girl Blue", her phrasing, intonation and richness of tone as well as crystal clear diction are beyond reproach. She manages to brilliantly make the listener understand her character and the feelings swirling through her without the need to see even a frame of film.

Day's co-star Stephen Boyd did not do his own vocals in the film but his voice double renders a lusty version of "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" with Stoll's orchestrations taking the listener on a breathtaking merry-go-round ride. One might wish that Jimmy Durante was utilized more since his unmistakable voice during the reprise of "Most Beautiful..." is a joy to listen to. Martha Raye, too, is not given a great deal of airtime but she makes the most of it and her harmonizing with Day on the underrated "Why Can't I" is a musical highlight.

The finale, "Sawdust, Spangles and Dreams" is a rousing and memorable showstopper and the title is certainly apropos.

If you want to hear Day at her vocal peak and have a wonderful representation of Rodgers and Hart at their best, then you'll not find much that is better than "Jumbo".

Perhaps we've been spoiled by Rhino's superb TCM series, but since those mammoth issues we've expected more from soundtrack albums. Practically every reissue of golden-era music has been touched by their conscientiousness and completeness, from Film Score Monthly's discs to the magnificent "Magnificent Seven." Disappointing then that this comes straight from the Masterworks LP masters. There's probably twice this material in Time Warner's vaults; but evidently Sony BMG owns the musical rights thanks to Doris Day, so we're stuck with a truncated, unsatisfying album with a trebly hissy sound. That said, no album can be totally bad with that supercanary Doris, who positively radiates like the sun here; nor with Schnozz, whose brief but touching "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" led to his late-autumn career with Warner Bros. Records and some beautiful musicmaking; certainly not with its principal orchestrator the great Conrad Salinger -- tragically, his last work (he died shortly after, either of a heart attack or by suicide; the Internet record is unclear); the orchestra plays with a faintly somber cast, as though its members realize this is the end. Though "Billy Rose's 'Jumbo'" may not be top-drawer MGM it is still fine music; if only someone in Narberth or in Sony's licensing operations had cared enough to do this right.

This is one of the most beautiful musical scores I have ever heard. I have seen the film many times. Listening to the cd, brings back warm memories of watching, this enchanting movie. Doris Day has never been in better vocal form and is lovely to listen to. Stephen Boyd and Miss Day, have a wonderful chemistery. They are a treat to listen to, together. A note for Mr. Brogan who put a review on here. Stephen Boyd DID, do all of his own vocals His long time friend and publicist, was there to witness it. I have no idea where you got the idea, Mr. Brogan that it was not Mr. Boyd singing. He has a beautiful singing voice. This cd is a rare treat for all.
Anita H. Wisconsin

Billy Rose's Jumbo with music and lyrics by the masterful Rodgers and Hart first appeared on Broadway in 1935 at the mammoth Hippodrome. The fine MGM film version stars the fabulous actress/singer Doris Day(Love Me Or Leave Me, the Pajama Game, etc) knock-em dead comedienne Martha Raye, vaudevillian Jimmy Durante and heartthrob Stephen Boyd. The score contains many beautiful standards: "Why Can't I", "The Most Beautiful Girl In The World", "My Romance", "Little Girl Blue" and the interpolated "This Can't Be Love" from Rodgers and Hart's Boys From Syracuse. We are all familiar with Day's talents, but comedy aside, Raye is no slouch either! She is, in fact, a brilliant songtress. Durante performs in his own delightful way, while Boyd is obviously dubbed in his singing portions. Marvelously orchestrated and conducted by George Stoll. Would someone please release the recordings from the original Broadway production?!?

I saw "Jumbo" when I was in college, back in the 60's. I loved musicals; I loved "Jumbo." I have always enjoyed the music of Doris Day, especially that she recorded in the 60's. Her voice, her music, holds up well all of these years later. As someone put across in a recent bio, she may be the best of the girl singers. I'm ordering a new copy of the "Jumbo" soundtrack because, though it was included on an 8-CD set I bought in the late 90's as a gift to myself...eight discs of my favorite Doris Day music...the final cut, "Sawdust, Spangles, and Dreams," is damaged...and I just have to have that number. Doris was in fine voice, very mature and lovely voice, from l960 until most of her recording ended in the later 60's. She has left us this lovely legacy of some of the best music ever written. What more can one ask for. See the movie, if you haven't; it's schmaltzy, but it's pretty. Then relive the loveliness of the film over and over again on CD. You won't be disappointed.

Don't believe everything you hear... especially if it comes from a man's publicist. Stephen Boyd did NOT do his own singing in "Jumbo." His voice is heard only in the spoken verse to "Sawdust, Spangles and Dreams." The remainder of his vocals are performed -- magnificently -- by voice double James Joyce.

JUMBO was one of Rodgers and Hart's biggest Broadway hits of the 1930's when it played for several months at the Hippodrome. Over 20 years later, MGM producer Joe Pasternak brought it to the screen in a lavish movie version, re-titled BILLY ROSE'S JUMBO.

The score (which was significantly reduced for the film) interpolates the song "This Can't Be Love" from THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE, and adds brassy new orchestrations.

The film starred Doris Day (in her last major musical role) as Kitty Wonder, the bareback-riding queen of the Wonder Circus which is owned by her well-meaning father (Jimmy Durante, who also played in the Hippodrome production). The circus profits are dwindling thanks to Pop's gambling habits and the Noble family want to buy them out. Sam Rawlins (Stephen Boyd), who is the son of the Noble Circus' founder, goes into the circus as the new high-wire performer and ends up stealing Kitty's heart, but the inevitable break-up occurs when the Noble family get their way...

The film also features the delightful Martha Raye as Pop's on-again, off-again squeeze Lulu. The score is performed beautifully - my favorite numbers include "Over and Over Again", "Why Can't I?" (a perfect duet for the lovelorn Kitty and Lulu), "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" and a perfectly-rendered "Little Girl Blue".

Highly-recommended.

This was a favourite LP of mine, and it's been a while making it to CD. It hints at a wonderful score by Rodgers and Hart. It's just a pity there isn't more of it. I'm sure the original score must have been longer. So in typical Hollywood fashion we only get a sampling. DD has to be one of the greatest singers, up there with Ella and Frank. The others compliment her wonderfully. "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World" is another great waltz from Rodgers. Maybe his best. Other favourites are "Over and Over Again" and the wonderful "My Romance". Now to have the movie on DVD!

A pleasant, if forgettable little soundtrack. Just like the movie. Light, fluffy. As intended.

Doris Day is at her best here.

And the best thing here is the joy (really!) in hearing the personable Durante (as "Pop Warner") singing (and that IS his singing voice!) on a few tracks. You'll smile in spite of yourself.

A great 35 minutes of happiness and contentment from an age long ago . . .