This is an interesting film to watch with the closed captions turned on because the film features a lot of impersonations of famous radio stars at the very beginning--and very, very, very few viewers will be able to identify who the imitations are supposed to be! But, the person who did the captioning listed who the impersonation was of--making it a lot easier for viewers. While I recognized impersonations of Kate Smith and Amos 'n Andy, most of the rest were complete ciphers--thanks to captioning I could place them.
The plot involves a fast-talking agent (Part O'Brien) who is down and out and desperately looking for a star who will help him back on his feet. When he happens upon a singing waiter (Dick Powell), he thinks this guy might just be his salvation. Although Ginger Rogers has top billing along with O'Brien, she doesn't appear until about 15 minutes into the film. She plays a radio singer that Powell is smitten with and their first meeting makes little sense. She's singing on the radio yet she walks all around the recording booth--and is nowhere near the microphone as she sings! But, being a Hollywood film, they are soon head over heels.
As far as Powell's big break goes, O'Brien is actually able to finagle him a chance. However, O'Brien insisted that Powell sing a terrible old tune ("Man on the Flying Trapeze") and the opportunity is lost. Naturally, you know that despite this, eventually Powell will be recognized and everyone will have a "happily ever after". But, when this does occur, O'Brien nearly blows it again--as he is, apparently, a total idiot! When Powell does make it big, he's the idol of women across the country. However, the sponsor is now worried that if Powell marries his sweetie (Rogers) that women will be turned off! So, it's up to O'Brien to try to stop the marriage--and he does it in the most devious and nasty way possible.
Aside from the main plot, I really enjoyed the Mills Brothers and was happy they performed three times (including a nice number with Powell)--and I enjoyed their singing far more than the sappier tunes sung solo by Powell. Also, Allen Jenkins is entertaining as the host of a horribly saccharine kid's radio show--and as a result, he absolutely hates children! Overall, a pleasant little film but one where there simply is too much singing. Back in the 30s, a lot of Dick Powell and the rest went a long way. Today, it just seems to be too much--as it clearly gets in the way of the plot. A pleasant but not particularly great film.
The plot involves a fast-talking agent (Part O'Brien) who is down and out and desperately looking for a star who will help him back on his feet. When he happens upon a singing waiter (Dick Powell), he thinks this guy might just be his salvation. Although Ginger Rogers has top billing along with O'Brien, she doesn't appear until about 15 minutes into the film. She plays a radio singer that Powell is smitten with and their first meeting makes little sense. She's singing on the radio yet she walks all around the recording booth--and is nowhere near the microphone as she sings! But, being a Hollywood film, they are soon head over heels.
As far as Powell's big break goes, O'Brien is actually able to finagle him a chance. However, O'Brien insisted that Powell sing a terrible old tune ("Man on the Flying Trapeze") and the opportunity is lost. Naturally, you know that despite this, eventually Powell will be recognized and everyone will have a "happily ever after". But, when this does occur, O'Brien nearly blows it again--as he is, apparently, a total idiot! When Powell does make it big, he's the idol of women across the country. However, the sponsor is now worried that if Powell marries his sweetie (Rogers) that women will be turned off! So, it's up to O'Brien to try to stop the marriage--and he does it in the most devious and nasty way possible.
Aside from the main plot, I really enjoyed the Mills Brothers and was happy they performed three times (including a nice number with Powell)--and I enjoyed their singing far more than the sappier tunes sung solo by Powell. Also, Allen Jenkins is entertaining as the host of a horribly saccharine kid's radio show--and as a result, he absolutely hates children! Overall, a pleasant little film but one where there simply is too much singing. Back in the 30s, a lot of Dick Powell and the rest went a long way. Today, it just seems to be too much--as it clearly gets in the way of the plot. A pleasant but not particularly great film.