Annoying intro bit with bookish Kaye and the dopey song opening is VERY similar to "Ball of Fire"--and with subpoenaed boyfriend--awfully soon for a remake. strong focus on black musical acts of the day--including Louis Armstrong and Lionel Hampton is that Mayo singing? If so, nice voice liked the music but it did make the film meander a lot--which is bad, as the original film was about the same length WITHOUT the music very multi ethnic"Ball of Fire" is a fantastic classic film. In my review, I gave this one a 9--but nearly gave it a 10 because it was THAT good. The film is a very clever reworking of the Snow White story--set today and with gangsters!! It is an adorable film from start to finish. "A Song is Born" is a remake, and, like too many remakes during this era, it came out not all that long after the original. Now considering that the original was just about perfect and starred Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck, what sane person thought this Danny Kaye remake was a good idea?! Sure, it's pleasant enough--but not nearly as good as the real thing.Both films have plots that are just about identical. A gangster's moll (Virginia Mayo) is hiding out from the police because they are trying to make her testify against her scum-bag boyfriend (Steve Cochran). On a lark, she moves in with a group of professors. In the original, they were working on an encyclopedia--here they are music professors cataloging music. One of them, the youngest (Danny Kaye) eventually falls for this lady--which is a severe problem since her boyfriend is a nut! How does it all work out--see the film.Because this film is less a comedy and more a musical, the film has guest appearances by some pretty amazing musical talent--such as Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton and Benny Goodman! It was also impressive because this was a very multiracial cast who interacted like old friends--something unheard of in 1948. The problem with this, however, is that because there is so much music, there is far less time with comedy--and the adorable old professors were far less adorable and lovable here. The only major plus of this ensemble cast of professors was Danny Kaye. While he was not nearly as good as Cooper, it was sure nice to see Kaye in a MUCH more understated and subtle role than usual. Overall, I'd give this one a 6 (which might be a bit generous--my wife thinks it only earns a 3). It is entertaining but is so unoriginal and unfunny that I say just watch the original and be done with it.

A decent Danny Kaye vehicle. The humor is delicate and the music is memorable. Kaye isn't as funny as Gary Cooper was in the original -- "Ball of Fire", also directed by Howard Hawks. I know that's hard to believe but the character of Professor Hobart Frisbee is supposed to be pawky, professionally precise, and socially clumsy. Kaye is his usual stuttering self, whereas Cooper WAS the character. And Virginia Mayo, delicious as she is, doesn't have the sassy talent of Barbara Stanwyk, who could throw away laugh lines and still get smiles. Mayo seems earnest as all get out.Still, nice technicolor photography, almost lurid. And the musicians do their thing, which is pretty good, in fact. How could they not? Tommy Dorsey, Satchmo, Lionel Hampton, Charlie Barnet, Mel Powell, and a supporting role for Benny Goodman. I don't know if you have to realize what a musical technician Goodman was to appreciate the scene in which, as a fuddy-duddy musicologist, he is invited to take a crack at playing swing music. I think there's a recording of his playing Mozart's clarinet quintet too. Many of those once-household names, I imagine, have already disappeared from popular consciousness. A good thing they didn't hire Charlie Parker or somebody. It wouldn't have a prayer of striking a resonant chord.

Danny Kaye is funny in this as he always is. The plot is mediocre, even trite. The relationship between Danny Kaye and Virginia Mayo is pretty much what we have seen before.What makes this movie a ten is that it has some of the best ever big band/jazz musicians of its era. Every musical number is unique and entertaining. For that alone this film is well worth your time.This may be a spoiler. Usually the practice for musical movies is to prerecord the musical numbers and then synchronize the action to the movie when filming. I think with this movie the performances were filmed and recorded at the same time. How could you keep Louis Armstrong from improvising? If you like big band/jazz you will want to see this film.

I have seen "Ball of Fire", and I disagree with the previous comment. Even if you HAVE seen the "original", Danny Kaye and Virginia Mayo make this one enjoyable movie! There are quite a few hilarious moments, and the music is just great.While I did see "Ball of Fire", I'd have to say I enjoyed "A Song Is Born" much much more. I'm not a huge fan of Barbara Stanwyck, who was the gangster girlfriend in "..Fire", and I think Virginia Mayo was a great leading lady for Danny Kaye. Even thought her acting was a tad, tiny bit on the wooden side. She's a great "straight man" for Danny's antics.My favorite scene in the movie is when the gangsters have all the professors and musicians captive and they are playing music to effect an escape to rescue Miss Honey from being forced to marry Tony Crow. Great use of "The Anvil Chorus"!! If you've never seen a Danny Kaye movie, this is a good one to start with.