Many of the Warner's gang is here in this slight
but charming musical comedy. Dick Powell, Ruby Keeler and Joan Blondell had
been the backbone of the Busby Berkeley musicals in the first half of the
decade. Powell and Keeler had both struck stardom in 42nd Street out of nowhere
and continued to co-star in six more films - Gold Diggers of 1933, Footlight
Parade, Dames, Flirtation Walk, Shipmates Forever and this their last film
together. They made an adorable couple - Powell with his puppy dog enthusiasm
and Keeler as the innocent virgin. She had actually been married to Al Jolson
since she was 19 (he was 41) while Powell was to marry Blondell in this same
year. Powell and Blondell only have a couple of scenes together, but their
chemistry is palpable as she flashes those eye lashes over her saucer eyes.
This isn't rated up there with the best Warner musicals - primarily I expect
because Busby was nowhere to be seen. Instead, the musical numbers are choreographed
and staged by Billy Connolly. There are two large musical numbers with the
final one ending the film at about 10-minutes long and they are fine but
not Busby fine.
Along with those three are a few other Warner
sidemen - Hugh Herbert doing his nonsensical eccentric routine and Jack Oakie
doing his bull in a china shop bit. The film brings on Paul Draper to do
two dance numbers with Keeler. It was his only film appearance, but he was
famous on the stage for his performances combining tap and classical dance.
He was to get caught up in the Blacklisting of the 1950s and had to move
to Europe. There is also a funny number done by Blondell with Oakie in which
she sings "I'm suspicious your kiss may be vicious". Whenever Blondell is
on the screen, the energy level and sexual tension rises.
This film is your basic Depression light
comedy with romances, misunderstandings and a millionaire. You might not
even realize it is a musical as it plays out as a silly comedy until the
30th minute when Powell gets close to Keeler and out of the blue begins to
sing to her and then this leads into a big musical number with about 30 models
on a massive runway. Herbert is the millionaire and a gibbering kook with
an eye for pretty ladies. Powell just tries to keep him busy and out of trouble
as he runs the business. Oakie though is a grifter and gets Herbert interested
in Blondell who has a job manually putting nuts on chocolate. Herbert sets
her up in a high-end clothing shop where Keeler is the accountant. Then he
decides to adopt Blondell which is fine with her and Oakie. When he changes
his mind, Powell tells her "My uncle has come to his senses", to which she
replies, "We both know he has no senses to return to". 90-minutes directed
by Alfred Greene.
