In 1962, Doris Day was the top box office star (male or female) in the world. "Billy Rose's Jumbo" opened in New York at Radio City Music Hall during a newspaper strike and a snow storm which made the film suffer at the box office.
It is a wonderful film with great music, good acting and some exciting circus acts.
The story is secondary to the rest of the film. Simply, Doris' father, Jimmy Durante, owner of the Wonder Circus, was in deep financial trouble and about to lose his business. Boyd played the son of the owner of a rival circus who wants to take over the Durante organization including the main attraction, Jumbo, the wonder elephant.
Day, of course, falls in love with Boyd and the rest is music. Doris Day had some wonderful moments. She showed her mettle as a comedienne in a scene where she takes over a crap game from her father to win back the money he has lost.
Although the film was suffered for both box ranking and criticism, the song "My Romance" could help things getting very much better. Doris Day's singing was so sweet. It's still sweet even in these todays' world.
My Romance
Words & Music by Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart, 1935
Recorded by Doris Day, 1962, in the movie "Billy Rose's Jumbo"
D9 A7 D DM7
My ro - mance
D6 Bm7 G Em7 A7 D A7
Doesn't have to have a moon in the sky,
G G9 D DM7
My ro - mance
D6 Bm7 G Em7 A7 Bm Bm/E
Doesn't need a blue lagoon standing by;
A7 D G A7 Edim D G A7
No month of may, no twink - ling stars,
Edim Bm Bm7 G A7
No hide away, no soft guitars.
D9 A7 D DM7
My ro - mance
D6 Bm7 G Em7 A7 D A7
Doesn't need a castle ri - sing in Spain,
G G9 D DM7
Nor a dance
D6 Bm7 G Em7 A7 D
To a cons - tant - ly sur - pri - sing re - frain.
A7 D DM7 D6 D9
Wide awake, I can make my most
F# F#7 Bm G
Fantastic dreams come true --
Em7 Edim D B7
My ro - mance
G E7 A Gdim D B7 E7 Edim D6
Doesn't need a thing but you.
