Length: 96 minutes
Director: Mervyn LeRoy
Cast: Warren William, Joan Blondell, Aline MacMahon, Ruby Keeler, Dick Powell, Guy Kibbee, Ned Sparks, Ginger Rogers
Eric's Impressions: Like the last film reviewed, here we ago again with another story behind the story of a theater production. This one does dig a little deeper with a statement on how true love doesn't know a price tag. The Warner Brothers regulars are all here including Joan Blondell, Dick Powell, Ginger Rogers (still playing minor roles at this point) and my personal favorite, Guy Kibbee. The scenes of Mr. Kibbee posing in the mirror with a puppy that eerily looks just like him and falling drunkenly in love with a showgirl will have you in stitches. I also like the message of "Remember My Forgotten Man" and the other Depression-era numbers that serve as tributes to the those most hurt by the economic times of the late '20s and early 1930's.
Natalie's Impressions: Of the last few musicals from this period that I have seen, this one is the more complex and thematically mature. There is more to it than just a love story or just a movie about making movies. It has a couple of different twists to it. It is not just one of those films Warner Brothers just churned out that fit the cookie cutter musical mold. It is an introspective look at the pyschological effects of the Depression on all classes, especially in light of the fact that it occurred not long after World War I. For those of the Lost Generation that survived, life didn't get much easier. This film is partly in recognition of those men. But lets not forget that this is a comedy! While I didn't laugh nearly as hard watching this film as Footlight Parade, for instance, there were some comedic gem moments with Guy Kibbee.
COUNTDOWN: Just 950 movies to go!
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