BALLAD IN BLUE is a star vehicle for famous musician Ray Charles, here playing himself in a story in which he becomes involved in the life of a put-upon blind boy in desperate need of an eye operation to restore his sight. This American production was filmed in Ireland by an American company with financial issues but looks reasonably good for its era.

It's a family drama with added music and it's safe to say that with a musician of Charles's calibre, the musical segments are great and very toe-tapping. The rest of the story isn't bad ever, showing how persistence and spirit can overcome adversity. Like a lot of mid-20th century movies, the backdrop alone is of interest, but child actor Piers Bishop deserves kudos for his deeply convincing turn as the blind child; he was equally good in the tense thriller TOMORROW AT TEN made the previous year.