...quips Eugene Palette to William Powell in reference to a show that Powell's character is backing. That one statement really says it all. Despite its title, this is a rather pointless early talking musical drama with a large number of talented stars from the Paramount lot of 1929, but with nothing really for any of them to do.
It's the time honored tale of a beautiful chorus girl, Lora, (Faye Wray), in love with and marrying a rich young spoiled composer, Donald (Philip Holmes), with the desire to write his version of the great American novel - in this case a symphony. Unfortunately, mommy does not approve of Don's marriage and cuts off his allowance, which is his only means of income. Thus they must both live on Lora's small salary in a crowded apartment which becomes even more crowded whenever the wife's brother and sister-in-law come to visit, always with the constant digs about Donald sponging off Lora. Then there is the producer of the show in which Lora performs (William Powell) who is - of course - in love with Lora but doesn't want to do anything to disrupt her marriage and spoil her happiness.
The problem with this film is that the dramatic part never really does anything but land with a thud and the musical parts are abbreviated and unmemorable. I wouldn't even give it 5/10 if it wasn't for the historic value of seeing all of these performers so early in their careers, especially William Powell before he entered his Thin Man years and Eugene Palette before he was less of a thin man as well as one of the great character actors of the 30's and 40's.
This movie also did a good job of using Helen Kane in just the right dose and in just the right way. Skeets Gallagher and Helen Kane play Lora's feuding brother and sister-in-law who claim that the secret to their marital success is that they never stop arguing long enough to have a real fight.
It's the time honored tale of a beautiful chorus girl, Lora, (Faye Wray), in love with and marrying a rich young spoiled composer, Donald (Philip Holmes), with the desire to write his version of the great American novel - in this case a symphony. Unfortunately, mommy does not approve of Don's marriage and cuts off his allowance, which is his only means of income. Thus they must both live on Lora's small salary in a crowded apartment which becomes even more crowded whenever the wife's brother and sister-in-law come to visit, always with the constant digs about Donald sponging off Lora. Then there is the producer of the show in which Lora performs (William Powell) who is - of course - in love with Lora but doesn't want to do anything to disrupt her marriage and spoil her happiness.
The problem with this film is that the dramatic part never really does anything but land with a thud and the musical parts are abbreviated and unmemorable. I wouldn't even give it 5/10 if it wasn't for the historic value of seeing all of these performers so early in their careers, especially William Powell before he entered his Thin Man years and Eugene Palette before he was less of a thin man as well as one of the great character actors of the 30's and 40's.
This movie also did a good job of using Helen Kane in just the right dose and in just the right way. Skeets Gallagher and Helen Kane play Lora's feuding brother and sister-in-law who claim that the secret to their marital success is that they never stop arguing long enough to have a real fight.