The ultra-sentimental
I'll See You in My Dreams
is based on the life and work of composer
Gus Kahn
. The story is told from the point of view of Kahn' wife Grace, who was still alive when the film was made (Kahn died some ten years earlier).
Danny Thomas
stars as the prolific tunesmith, whose fortunes take an upswing in 1908 when he meets and falls in love with Grace LeBoy (
Doris Day
, who receives top billing, not to mention most of the best musical numbers). Kahn's career ascends to spectacular heights via such hits as "Pretty Baby," "My Buddy," "Toot Toot Tootsie" and "Making Whoopee," only to go into eclipse when he loses his savings in the 1929 stock-market crash. Convinced that he's lost his touch and that he's sacrificed true happiness to the evil goddess success, Kahn is ultimately gratified by the love and recognition of his peers. Among the famous personages imitated in
I'll See You In My Dreams
are Kahn's writing partner
Walter Donaldson
(
Frank Lovejoy
) and producers
Sam Harris
Jim Backus
) and Flo Ziegfeld (
William Forrest
).