That's Right, You're Wrong
                
Director: David Butler
Year: 1939
Rating: 6.0
Kay Kyser had one of the most popular radio shows in the 1930s and 40s. It was a combination of music with his topnotch band, comedy and quizzes. The final 20 minutes of this film is basically his radio show being filmed and it's terrific. He was the main lead in seven films which was quite unusual for a band leader. They had their place in movies but usually just as supporting players or leading the band in musicals. He is the main tamale in his films. It is affable entertainment. A little of this, a little of that. His band at this time had Ginny Simms as the female vocalist, Harry Babbitt as the male crooner, Sully Mason on sax and vocals and Ish Kabibble on trumpet and comedy relief. In Yiddish it means "What? Me worry?" Sims is a favorite of mine. Attractive with a mouthful of pearly white teeth and a cool jazz voice.

 

This is Kyser's first film. I hope to watch them all if I can find them. Good music and good character actors brought on. Here a film studio is running behind its competitors and they come up with the idea to sign Kyser and his band to a contract to make a movie. The snake in the grass producer is played by Adolphe Menjou - every time I see him I think of his name coming up in the Bill Maher Show and him saying what the hell is a Menjou. Idiot. He has sent two writers off to the Catskills to come up with a script about a band leader. They - Hobart Cavanaugh and the truly wonderful Edward Everett Horton  - assume the band leader is good looking and write a story of him being a gondolier in Naples and falling in love with a Princess (Lucille Ball). Once they see Kyser they know they are in trouble. Other complications ensue.

 

Like I said affable. His grandmother is played by May Robson and his agent by Dennis O'Keefe. Kyser is easy on the brain. He projects absolute niceness. No idea if this was how he really was. Two standout bits. His film test with Ball is hilarious and that final part that is his radio show. Maybe they just ran out of script and decided to simply film his show but that is how most people knew him and its so good. And every time the camera moves to Horton and his expressions it is sublime. Five songs and bits of a few others during the quiz. Also he holds a press conference and Sheilah Graham, Hedda Hopper and Jimmy Starr are present. Famous gossip reporters at the time.