The first third of the film presents a vivid portrait of the artist as a young boy, Juano Hernandez delivers a moving performance as the boy's mentor, and Curtiz directs with his usual elegance. But Doris Day and Hoagy Carmichael are a little too cute, Lauren Bacall just goes through the motions like a weary vampire, Kirk Douglas chews the scenery as usual, and the ending is abrupt and unconvincingly optimistic.

Surprising depth of insight and characterisation.