While the love triangle between Clark Gable and Franchot Tone for Joan Crawford is very routine, this film offers several pleasures. It is the first film of Fred Astaire, playing himself (or at least, a dancer called Fred Astaire). He dances with Joan Crawford and is as light as a feather and as smooth as silk, compared to Crawford's clunky style of dancing. He also sings in his inimitable style. It's also Eve Arden's first film, playing a would-be actress faking a southern accent in a very short scene. And, to top it off, it is the first film where the three stooges were actually billed as "stooges," and they come complete with their finger-poking and face-slapping antics. If these are not enough, it's also the second film of Nelson Eddy, who sings a Rogers and Hart tune, so there is lots of movie history connected with this film. Despite the talented song composers contributing to this musical, the only song that stuck with me was the lovely "Everything I Have is Yours" by Burton Lane and Harold Adamson. This is not a great film, but is certainly one to see.
For those interested in credits, about 82:30 minutes into the film, Franchot Tone opens his program guide to see what's next in the show he's watching, and the complete list of all the chorus girls used in the film is shown and is readable. It includes Lynn Bari (spelled Barri) in her first role, but I could not spot her. If you do, please let me know which scene she's in.
For those interested in credits, about 82:30 minutes into the film, Franchot Tone opens his program guide to see what's next in the show he's watching, and the complete list of all the chorus girls used in the film is shown and is readable. It includes Lynn Bari (spelled Barri) in her first role, but I could not spot her. If you do, please let me know which scene she's in.