The plot of the history of a nightclub is the excuse to present a bunch of musical numbers. The music is really nice. If you're a fan of the Big Bands of the 30's and 40's and/or swing, you'll enjoy it.
A couple of the unique perks are wonderful brief appearances by Dave Fleischer and Ida James. Dave, along with brother Max, did the classic Betty Boop, Koko the Clown, and Popeye cartoons. Here he draws a cute little cartoon character named Skimpy who becomes animated. Ida James is a beautiful and terrific black singer/actress from the period who sings her hit song "Shoo, Shoo, Baby."
Another perk is the appearance of the incomparable Sheldon Leonard. He is the ultimate Brooklyn gangster. Here, he is gentle as lamb. He continued acting regularly for another 40 years after this, but is best known, perhaps, for producing a series of hit television shows in the 1950's and 1960's, including "The Danny Thomas Show," The Andy Griffith Show," and "I Spy".
The main attraction of the movie for me is Rosemary Lane. I've seen her in a couple of movies where she was good, but overshadowed by her bundle of energy sister, Priscilla Lane. Here, she is the main attraction, and she handles her role as one of the nightclub owners with charm, cool and intelligence. She looks great in the stylish dresses and sings delightfully. This was sadly her penultimate movie out of about 20 that she made in a short 10 year acting career. I knew her sisters Priscilla and Lola could carry a movie, but this showed me that Rosemary was able to carry one on her own.
There is one interesting scene that she plays in complete profile. I've never seen an actress do that. At first, I thought it was a mistake, because you can't really see her reaction, but at the end of the scene she turns so that we can she her full face. It is quite effective. It was probably the director's decision, but only a very confident actress would have played the scene as well as she did.
Anyways, if you are a 30's/40's music fan or a Lane sister fan, this is a fun ride.
A couple of the unique perks are wonderful brief appearances by Dave Fleischer and Ida James. Dave, along with brother Max, did the classic Betty Boop, Koko the Clown, and Popeye cartoons. Here he draws a cute little cartoon character named Skimpy who becomes animated. Ida James is a beautiful and terrific black singer/actress from the period who sings her hit song "Shoo, Shoo, Baby."
Another perk is the appearance of the incomparable Sheldon Leonard. He is the ultimate Brooklyn gangster. Here, he is gentle as lamb. He continued acting regularly for another 40 years after this, but is best known, perhaps, for producing a series of hit television shows in the 1950's and 1960's, including "The Danny Thomas Show," The Andy Griffith Show," and "I Spy".
The main attraction of the movie for me is Rosemary Lane. I've seen her in a couple of movies where she was good, but overshadowed by her bundle of energy sister, Priscilla Lane. Here, she is the main attraction, and she handles her role as one of the nightclub owners with charm, cool and intelligence. She looks great in the stylish dresses and sings delightfully. This was sadly her penultimate movie out of about 20 that she made in a short 10 year acting career. I knew her sisters Priscilla and Lola could carry a movie, but this showed me that Rosemary was able to carry one on her own.
There is one interesting scene that she plays in complete profile. I've never seen an actress do that. At first, I thought it was a mistake, because you can't really see her reaction, but at the end of the scene she turns so that we can she her full face. It is quite effective. It was probably the director's decision, but only a very confident actress would have played the scene as well as she did.
Anyways, if you are a 30's/40's music fan or a Lane sister fan, this is a fun ride.