The Vitaphone division of Warner Brothers was mostly devoted to producing sound shorts--both BEFORE "The Jazz Singer" debuted and through much of the 1930s. The acts in these shorts mostly consisted of night club acts, vaudeville entertainers and a few were soon to be stars being given their chance in these shorts (such as June Allyson). In "Rooftops of Manhattan" you have a nightclub supposedly set atop a huge skyscraper and act after act come and go on the screen...mostly of the nightclub quality. Most of the acts are pleasant enough but not especially memorable or super-talented. And, because of this, you've probably never heard of any of the acts. If you are curious, check the IMDb page for this film.
So is it worth seeing? Well, if you are a nut about Vitaphone, of course. For the average viewer, however, it's very hit or miss. The comedy of Bob Burns and his 'bazooka' (a homemade trombone sort of contraption) is nice and I enjoyed his mother-in-law jokes. The rest...well they were fine...but nothing special.
So is it worth seeing? Well, if you are a nut about Vitaphone, of course. For the average viewer, however, it's very hit or miss. The comedy of Bob Burns and his 'bazooka' (a homemade trombone sort of contraption) is nice and I enjoyed his mother-in-law jokes. The rest...well they were fine...but nothing special.