Hallelujah I'm a Bum (1933)
*** (out of 4)
Charming musical has Al Jolson playing a New York tramp who is more than happy to live, play and act the role of a bum. He begins to have second thoughts when he saves a girl (Madge Evans) from suicide and then learns she belongs to his Mayor (Frank Morgan) friend. There's no secret that I'm not a fan of Jolson's THE JAZZ SINGER and this here is only the second film of his that I've seen and it was certainly good enough to make me want to seek out more. This is a rather strange mix of politics, music, comedy, romance and all of it set during the Great Depression. This was a pretty surreal film because it mixes so many genres and I really can't put my finger on what worked so well but the entire film has a certain glow to it that makes it rather irresistible for fans of Hollywood's Golden Age. The star here is without a doubt Jolson who really fits the role of the bum quite well. His happy-go-lucky attitude and walk really jumps off the screen and can make one appreciate the film's rather strange message that unemployment is a good thing. The movie certainly takes some dark thoughts and turns them around for a warmth and for this the movie really can't be appreciated even more. Jolson is what sells the material but Evans is just as charming and Morgan makes for a good semi-villain. Co-star Harry Langdon nearly steals the film as the sad-faced Egghead. I wouldn't say any of the songs were true masterpieces but they're all quite catchy with "Hallelujah, I'm a Bum" and "Bumper Found a Grand" really sticking out as the best. I think the love triangle is the weakest aspect of the film and I would have preferred more music over kisses but this is still an enjoyable little gem that certainly shows Jolson off in a very good light.
*** (out of 4)
Charming musical has Al Jolson playing a New York tramp who is more than happy to live, play and act the role of a bum. He begins to have second thoughts when he saves a girl (Madge Evans) from suicide and then learns she belongs to his Mayor (Frank Morgan) friend. There's no secret that I'm not a fan of Jolson's THE JAZZ SINGER and this here is only the second film of his that I've seen and it was certainly good enough to make me want to seek out more. This is a rather strange mix of politics, music, comedy, romance and all of it set during the Great Depression. This was a pretty surreal film because it mixes so many genres and I really can't put my finger on what worked so well but the entire film has a certain glow to it that makes it rather irresistible for fans of Hollywood's Golden Age. The star here is without a doubt Jolson who really fits the role of the bum quite well. His happy-go-lucky attitude and walk really jumps off the screen and can make one appreciate the film's rather strange message that unemployment is a good thing. The movie certainly takes some dark thoughts and turns them around for a warmth and for this the movie really can't be appreciated even more. Jolson is what sells the material but Evans is just as charming and Morgan makes for a good semi-villain. Co-star Harry Langdon nearly steals the film as the sad-faced Egghead. I wouldn't say any of the songs were true masterpieces but they're all quite catchy with "Hallelujah, I'm a Bum" and "Bumper Found a Grand" really sticking out as the best. I think the love triangle is the weakest aspect of the film and I would have preferred more music over kisses but this is still an enjoyable little gem that certainly shows Jolson off in a very good light.