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| “It’s Magic” | |
|---|---|
| Song by Doris Day | |
| Released | 1947 |
| Composer(s) | Jule Styne |
| Lyricist(s) | Sammy Cahn |
“It’s Magic” is a popular song written by Jule Styne, with lyrics by Sammy Cahn. The song was introduced by Doris Day in her film debut, Romance on the High Seas (known in the United Kingdom as It’s Magic after the song), and was published in 1947. Versions which made the Billboard magazine charts in 1948 were recorded by Doris Day, Tony Martin, Dick Haymes, Gordon MacRae, and Sarah Vaughan. It was nominated for a Best Song Oscar in 1948, losing to “Buttons and Bows.”
In 1952, Doris Day made the song the theme of The Doris Day Show, her Hollywood radio series.
The Doris Day recording was released by Columbia Records as catalog number 38188. The recording spent 21 weeks on the Billboard chart, peaking at position #2.
The Tony Martin recording was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-2862. The recording spent 13 weeks on the Billboard chart, peaking at position #11.
The Dick Haymes recording was released by Decca Records as catalog number 23826. The recording spent 18 weeks on the Billboard chart, peaking at position #9.
The Gordon MacRae recording was released by Capitol Records as catalog number 15072. The recording spent 17 weeks on the Billboard chart, peaking at position #9.
The Sarah Vaughan recording was released by Musicraft Records as catalog number 557. The recording spent two weeks on the Billboard chart, peaking at position #29. It appeared on the EP The Divine Sarah Sings (1954)
Beverly Kenney recorded the song in 1958 for her album Beverly Kenney Sings for Playboys.
Dinah Washington recorded the song in 1959 for her album What a Diff’rence a Day Makes!.
Keely Smith recorded it in 1959 for her Capital album, Swingin’ Pretty, arranged and conducted by Nelson Riddle.
Shirley Bassey recorded the song in 1963 for her EP In Other Words….
In 2010, Australian singer Melinda Schneider recorded the song for her Doris Day tribute album Melinda Does Doris.
Barbara Lewis recorded the song in 1965, and it was included in her album of the same name.
In 1962, The Platters, with Sonny Turner singing lead, released it as a single. It reached 95 on the Billboard chart. It was also featured on their 1961 album Song for the Lonely.
Eddi Reader recorded the song for her 2009 album Love Is the Way.
It’s also the title cut of the 2013 album It’s Magic – The songs of Sammy Cahn recorded by Steve Tyrell, featuring a saxophone solo by David Mann.
To celebrate the one hundredth birthday of Sammy Cahn, a 2013 album was released featuring an ensemble of vocalists and jazz combo for the CD, It’s Magic.
| Romance on the High Seas | |
|---|---|
| Theatrical release poster. | |
| Directed by | Michael Curtiz |
| Produced by | Alex Gottlieb |
| Screenplay by | Julius J. and Philip G. Epstein additional dialogue by I. A. L. Diamond |
| Based on | From a story by S. Pondal Rios and Carlos A. Olivari |
| Starring | Jack Carson Janis Paige Don DeFore Doris Day |
| Music by | Jule Styne Lyrics by Sammy Cahn Musical numbers orchestrated and conducted by Ray Heindorf |
| Cinematography | Elwood Bredell, A.S.C. |
| Edited by | Rudi Fehr |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. A Michael Curtiz Production |
| Release date | June 25, 1948 |
| Running time | 99 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2 million or $2,532,000 |
| Box office | $2.1 million (US rentals) or $3,225,000 |
Romance on the High Seas, known in the United Kingdom as It’s Magic, is a 1948 American Technicolor musical romantic comedy film directed by Michael Curtiz, and starred Jack Carson, Janis Paige, Don DeFore and Doris Day in her film debut. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, for Original Song for “It’s Magic” (music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Sammy Cahn), and Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture (Ray Heindorf).
Doris Day as Georgia Garrett, singing “I’m in Love”.
Songs
- “Put ’em in a Box, Tie ’em with a Ribbon, and Throw ’em in the Deep Blue Sea” – Doris Day and the Page Cavanaugh Trio
- “It’s Magic” – Doris Day
- “It’s You or No One” – Doris Day
- “I’m in Love” – Doris Day
- “The Tourist Trade” – Avon Long
- “Run, Run, Run” – Jack Carson
- “She’s a Latin from Manhattan” – Doris Day
- “Romance on the High Seas” – The Samba Kings
- “Brazilian Rhapsody” (aka Cuban Rhapsody) – Oscar Levant
Originally conceived as a star vehicle for Betty Hutton, the film had to be recast when Hutton became pregnant, and thus unavailable. Other established stars like Judy Garland and Jane Powell were briefly considered, before Michael Curtiz was persuaded to audition Doris Day, then known as a band vocalist, but hitherto not considered an actress. Her personal life was in some turmoil at the time, as her second marriage, to musician George Weidler, was ending, and this, combined with her evident nervousness, led her to deliver a notably teary, emotive version of Embraceable You at the audition. Impressed by her singing ability and fresh-faced good looks, Curtiz signed her to a film contract and cast her in the leading role of Georgia Garrett. Despite the change in star and the late casting of Janis Paige, the film was financially successful.
Before meeting Hutton’s replacement, director Curtiz’s requirements were that she had to be beautiful, that she had to be able to sing and dance, and that, above all, she must have “sparkle.” After dozens of young women failed to match Curtiz’s specifications, Doris Day was finally introduced to him. He immediately perked up and exclaimed, “This is it. This is the most everything dame I have ever seen.”
According to Warner Bros records the film earned $2,200,000 domestically and $1,025,000 foreign.
An anonymous review in a small-town Texas newspaper, The Kaufman Herald, published in late 1948, asserts that “seldom does a film musical come along which gives all of its stars a chance to shine so much…Miss Day impresses for her ease and command before the cameras. Her song delivery is neat, and she is able to wear costumes smartly.” Another rural Texas publication, The Hearne Democrat, called it “a rib-tickling musical that is full of laughs all the way.”
The film was nominated for the following American Film Institute lists:
- 2002: AFI’s 100 Years…100 Passions
- 2004: AFI’s 100 Years…100 Songs: “It’s Magic“
- 2006: AFI’s Greatest Movie Musicals
Watch the movie “Romance On The High Seas”
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