Bert Wheeler (Andy Williams), Robert Woolsey (Bob Dudley), Ruth Etting (herself), Thelma Todd (Miss Frisbie), Dorothy Lee (Daisy), George Meeker (Beauchamp), James Burtis (Epstein), Matt Briggs (Sweeney), Spencer Charters (Mr Clark), Marion Byron (Clark's secretary), Stanley Blystone (cop), Dave Gould (dance director), Phyllis Barry (announcer).
Director: MARK SANDRICH. Screenplay: Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby, Edward Kaufman. Story: Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby. Photography: David Abel. Film editor: Basil Wrangell. Songs: "Keep Romance Alive" (Etting), "Keep On Doin' What You're Doin"' (Wheeler, Woolsey, Todd, Lee), "Tired Of It All", music by Harry Ruby, lyrics by Bert Kalmar. Music director: Roy Webb. Dance director: Dave Gould. Art directors: Van Nest Polglase, Carroll Clark. Costumes: Walter Plunkett. Sound editor: George Marsh. Special photographic effects: Vernon L. Walker. Sound recording: P.J. Faulkner, Jr. RCA Sound System. Associate producer: H.N. Swanson. Executive producer: Merian C. Cooper.
Copyright 2 February 1934 by RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Roxy: 23 February 1934. U.K. release: 29 September 1934. 7 reels. 68 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: A couple of fast-talking lipstick salesman parlay themselves into the high fashion beauty racket.
VIEWER'S GUIDE: Unsuitable for children on at least three counts (sex, confidence men, anarchy).
COMMENT: Aside from the too knockabout, too elementary slapstick of its fantastic auto race chase finale, this is a delightfully sophisticated effort from one of our favorite comedy teams.
Perhaps the script is too racy, too risqué for modern audiences, though some fans would say that the dialogue's cynicism adds to the picture's appeal.
Woolsey is given some wonderful comebacks and makes the most of every opportunity for abrasive, anarchic humor. Wheeler, as usual, is the perfect straight man. This time the romantic interest is provided by the winsomely pert Dorothy Lee who is joined by the legendary Thelma Todd. This quartet share a marvelous surreal production number in which they dance around Spencer Charters' office.
Another highlight of the movie of course is the appearance of Ruth Etting. She is given a big introduction, sings "Keep Romance Alive" for rather more than it's worth, and then is ushered off-camera without saying a single word. We keep waiting for her to come back, but unfortunately she does not.
Nonetheless, this is amusingly bright and breezy entertainment for lovers of vintage comedy. Sandrich's fast-paced and occasionally fluid direction adds to the fun, and other credits are equally adept.
Director: MARK SANDRICH. Screenplay: Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby, Edward Kaufman. Story: Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby. Photography: David Abel. Film editor: Basil Wrangell. Songs: "Keep Romance Alive" (Etting), "Keep On Doin' What You're Doin"' (Wheeler, Woolsey, Todd, Lee), "Tired Of It All", music by Harry Ruby, lyrics by Bert Kalmar. Music director: Roy Webb. Dance director: Dave Gould. Art directors: Van Nest Polglase, Carroll Clark. Costumes: Walter Plunkett. Sound editor: George Marsh. Special photographic effects: Vernon L. Walker. Sound recording: P.J. Faulkner, Jr. RCA Sound System. Associate producer: H.N. Swanson. Executive producer: Merian C. Cooper.
Copyright 2 February 1934 by RKO Radio Pictures, Inc. New York opening at the Roxy: 23 February 1934. U.K. release: 29 September 1934. 7 reels. 68 minutes.
SYNOPSIS: A couple of fast-talking lipstick salesman parlay themselves into the high fashion beauty racket.
VIEWER'S GUIDE: Unsuitable for children on at least three counts (sex, confidence men, anarchy).
COMMENT: Aside from the too knockabout, too elementary slapstick of its fantastic auto race chase finale, this is a delightfully sophisticated effort from one of our favorite comedy teams.
Perhaps the script is too racy, too risqué for modern audiences, though some fans would say that the dialogue's cynicism adds to the picture's appeal.
Woolsey is given some wonderful comebacks and makes the most of every opportunity for abrasive, anarchic humor. Wheeler, as usual, is the perfect straight man. This time the romantic interest is provided by the winsomely pert Dorothy Lee who is joined by the legendary Thelma Todd. This quartet share a marvelous surreal production number in which they dance around Spencer Charters' office.
Another highlight of the movie of course is the appearance of Ruth Etting. She is given a big introduction, sings "Keep Romance Alive" for rather more than it's worth, and then is ushered off-camera without saying a single word. We keep waiting for her to come back, but unfortunately she does not.
Nonetheless, this is amusingly bright and breezy entertainment for lovers of vintage comedy. Sandrich's fast-paced and occasionally fluid direction adds to the fun, and other credits are equally adept.