This is one of many films from the 30s which attempt to showcase a wide variety of radio stars. Its basically a revue of different comedy and musical acts strung together with the barest hint of a plot.
I generally like the genre, however, I found this one to be a bit unpleasant, due in large part to one of the plot mechanisms.
In the film, Bing Crosby is jilted by his fiancé, and he winds up befriending an oil-man in a speakeasy, who has been similarly jilted. The two wind up getting drunk. Bing is so depressed about his predicament that he decides to commit suicide, and forces his friend to commit suicide with him. The climax of this sub-plot consists of the two of them sitting on the floor in Bing's kitchen with the gas turned on, waiting to die. Then, someone lights a match and blows up the kitchen.
I am familiar with the comedy styles from the 30's, and I realize that you cannot always apply modern sensibilities to them, but no matter how you look at it, this was just not funny. It was a very long and drawn out sub-plot that did not have many jokes in it.
There are some great moments in the film, though. The interplays between George Burns and Gracie Allen are, as always wonderful. There is also a musical number with Cab Calloway which is great. Its just the "Bing tries to kill himself" storyline that brings the whole thing down.
I generally like the genre, however, I found this one to be a bit unpleasant, due in large part to one of the plot mechanisms.
In the film, Bing Crosby is jilted by his fiancé, and he winds up befriending an oil-man in a speakeasy, who has been similarly jilted. The two wind up getting drunk. Bing is so depressed about his predicament that he decides to commit suicide, and forces his friend to commit suicide with him. The climax of this sub-plot consists of the two of them sitting on the floor in Bing's kitchen with the gas turned on, waiting to die. Then, someone lights a match and blows up the kitchen.
I am familiar with the comedy styles from the 30's, and I realize that you cannot always apply modern sensibilities to them, but no matter how you look at it, this was just not funny. It was a very long and drawn out sub-plot that did not have many jokes in it.
There are some great moments in the film, though. The interplays between George Burns and Gracie Allen are, as always wonderful. There is also a musical number with Cab Calloway which is great. Its just the "Bing tries to kill himself" storyline that brings the whole thing down.