The title was so long it filled the CinemaScope screen and that was exactly what 20th Century-Fox intended, to show off its new (and then virtually exclusive) letterbox screen process. Fox also crammed this musical with as many stars as possible, adding zest to its hokey old "Broadway family" plot. The story rarely matters in this kind of film, though this one does take a dive when "Prince of Wails" Johnnie Ray, shows a serious inclination towards the priesthood. As the title suggests, this is the Irving Berlin songbook, and a fine one it is, though the censor interfered with Heat Wave by insisting on a change from "seat" to "feet" and, since it's sung by Marilyn Monroe, it simply doesn't make sense. Neither does Marilyn hanging out with Donald O'Connor for that matter, but it's that kind of movie. Ethel Merman, Dan Dailey and Mitzi Gaynor are all in good voice, and that garish Fox style is displayed to full effect.

Molly and Terry Donahue, plus their three children, are The Five Donahues. Youngest son Tim meets hat-check girl Vicky and the family act begins to fall apart.