Buster Keaton directed this short subject which offers a glimpse of Hollywood's elite at Santa Anita racetrack in 1938. The plot has a group of black stable-boys who also form a sing band on the spot because they've hocked their instruments. Hocked it so they can buy a horse and race him in the prestigious Hollywood Handicap.
There are a host of movie luminaries in the clubhouse and the biggest laugh I got was Warner Baxter being described as a 'horseman'. According to Frank Capra's memoirs, he describes Baxter as being deathly afraid of horses which is why he remade Broadway Bill as Riding High with Bing Crosby in the lead. Noted racing fan and race horse owner Bing is also in the crowd and he's got an entry in the handicap. Oliver Hardy who was also in Riding High was looking a bit shrewder than the goof who got taken by William Demarest and Raymond Walburn in that film.
A 'sing band' and their were a few back in the day is one where the members of the group could do imitations of musical instruments. Speaking of Bing Crosby he featured one in Double Or Nothing and the Mills Brothers were also known for doing that as well as providing some of the best close harmony around.
A most enjoyable short subject from MGM.
There are a host of movie luminaries in the clubhouse and the biggest laugh I got was Warner Baxter being described as a 'horseman'. According to Frank Capra's memoirs, he describes Baxter as being deathly afraid of horses which is why he remade Broadway Bill as Riding High with Bing Crosby in the lead. Noted racing fan and race horse owner Bing is also in the crowd and he's got an entry in the handicap. Oliver Hardy who was also in Riding High was looking a bit shrewder than the goof who got taken by William Demarest and Raymond Walburn in that film.
A 'sing band' and their were a few back in the day is one where the members of the group could do imitations of musical instruments. Speaking of Bing Crosby he featured one in Double Or Nothing and the Mills Brothers were also known for doing that as well as providing some of the best close harmony around.
A most enjoyable short subject from MGM.