A Song Is Born

A Song Is Born
Theatrical release poster
Directed byHoward Hawks
Adaptation byHarry Tugend (uncredited)
Based on"From A to Z"
by Billy Wilder and Thomas Monroe
Produced bySamuel Goldwyn
Starring
CinematographyGregg Toland
Edited byDaniel Mandell
Production
company
Distributed byRKO Radio Pictures
Release dates
  • October 19, 1948 (1948-10-19) (New York City)
  • November 6, 1948 (1948-11-06) (United States)
Running time
113 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$2.3 million
Box office$2.4 million (US and Canada rentals)

A Song Is Born is a 1948 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Howard Hawks and starring Danny Kaye and Virginia Mayo. It is a musical remake of Hawks' 1941 screwball comedy film Ball of Fire, starring Gary Cooper and Barbara Stanwyck. The film is based on the short story "From A to Z" by Billy Wilder and Thomas Monroe, adapted by Harry Tugend (uncredited), produced by Samuel Goldwyn, and released by RKO Radio Pictures.

Filmed in Technicolor, the film features a supporting cast of musicians including Benny Goodman (with Al Hendrickson as cameo), Tommy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, and Benny Carter. Other notable musicians playing themselves in the cast include Charlie Barnet (with Harry Babasin as cameo), Mel Powell, Louis Bellson, The Golden Gate Quartet, Russo and the Samba Kings, the Page Cavanaugh Trio, and Buck and Bubbles. Other actors include Hugh Herbert and Steve Cochran. Mary Field reprises her role as Miss Totten from Ball of Fire.