Just how camp can a Hollywood film be? Eddie Cantor & Busby Berkely at the helm, what do you expect? Lol. This opening sequence is brilliant. And a lesbian gym teacher too eh? Ha !
It's a shame these movies did not receive the recognition that Berkeley's later work for WB did. One reason might be that some of Cantor's bits would be considered un-PC in this day and age. But those chorus girls were something to behold!
@oldbob1951 I've always thought that Berkeley's early work was pretty underrated, too. He seemed to know exactly what he wanted to do from the moment he first picked up a camera on the set of "Whoopee!." Cantor's films are still funny, but for some reason his star has faded.
I've worked in cookie making factories.And like the people in this movie,the women are assigned the assembly line work.the men,heavy lifting and machine operator jobs.
It should have been colour, Whoppee was, and The Kid From Spain was scheduled for colour by Technicolor, but the Wall Street crash finished colour film for a while. Musicals feel out of favour, with Sam Goldwyn one of the few studio bosses that still made them, mainly on the strength of Eddie Cantor's popularity. Warners shut down musicals for a period even converting them into comedies, as with Winnie Lightners film's. They continued with colour longer though, and went back to it first
The Pansies joke would never have got through the Hayes Code, and those skimpy costumes were definitely Pre-Code. The Guy's sly smile as he orders the cake is priceless.
Not often mentioned is the part played by Busby Berkeley, as the fortune tellers assistant, and of course it's "Ming the Merciless", one Charles Middleton, playing the fake medium. Fascinating character actor, who was an amateur actor, he was wealthy and just loved acting!!
Great film and what pace and quick introduction to the plot and action. Modern directors should take lessons from the crisp direction, pure entertainment.
Just about says it all, the very best early Busby Berkeley number, quite outrageous, over the top, and gorgeous to look at ..and I am not talking about the bread!!!!
This is a really cute movie! Can anyone confirm if the man who orders the cake is Billy De Wolfe? I've checked IMDB and there is no listing for him in the cast...but sure looks like him to me! Although this is much earlier than anything else listed in his credits by about 10 years.
Just how camp can a Hollywood film be? Eddie Cantor & Busby Berkely at the helm, what do you expect? Lol. This opening sequence is brilliant. And a lesbian gym teacher too eh? Ha !
bootsamou 2 months ago
It's a shame these movies did not receive the recognition that Berkeley's later work for WB did. One reason might be that some of Cantor's bits would be considered un-PC in this day and age. But those chorus girls were something to behold!
oldbob1951 3 months ago
@oldbob1951 I've always thought that Berkeley's early work was pretty underrated, too. He seemed to know exactly what he wanted to do from the moment he first picked up a camera on the set of "Whoopee!." Cantor's films are still funny, but for some reason his star has faded.
BusbyRocks1 2 months ago
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Betty Grable looked great in this movie.
oldbob1951 3 months ago
Comment removed
SophyLaughing 5 months ago
I've worked in cookie making factories.And like the people in this movie,the women are assigned the assembly line work.the men,heavy lifting and machine operator jobs.
2020Bookworm 5 months ago
An exersice class inside of a factory?
2020Bookworm 9 months ago
Grab a pickle instead of a pie.Good one.Are you sure she really meant to say that?
2020Bookworm 10 months ago
Betty Grable was actually only 14 when she made this movie. Charlotte Greenwood is great!
stlgtrace 10 months ago
It should have been colour, Whoppee was, and The Kid From Spain was scheduled for colour by Technicolor, but the Wall Street crash finished colour film for a while. Musicals feel out of favour, with Sam Goldwyn one of the few studio bosses that still made them, mainly on the strength of Eddie Cantor's popularity. Warners shut down musicals for a period even converting them into comedies, as with Winnie Lightners film's. They continued with colour longer though, and went back to it first
swallin19 10 months ago
It's too bad it's not in colour.
2020Bookworm 10 months ago
Miss Martin and the guy that wants panseys on his cake would be good in a arranged marriage.
2020Bookworm 10 months ago
@2020Bookworm
The Pansies joke would never have got through the Hayes Code, and those skimpy costumes were definitely Pre-Code. The Guy's sly smile as he orders the cake is priceless.
swallin19 10 months ago
Not often mentioned is the part played by Busby Berkeley, as the fortune tellers assistant, and of course it's "Ming the Merciless", one Charles Middleton, playing the fake medium. Fascinating character actor, who was an amateur actor, he was wealthy and just loved acting!!
Great film and what pace and quick introduction to the plot and action. Modern directors should take lessons from the crisp direction, pure entertainment.
swallin19 10 months ago
Brilliant routine.
Good old Buzz.
bootsamou 1 year ago
I want to work at that bakery.
Charles787980 1 year ago 4
@Charles787980
Just about says it all, the very best early Busby Berkeley number, quite outrageous, over the top, and gorgeous to look at ..and I am not talking about the bread!!!!
swallin19 10 months ago
This is a really cute movie! Can anyone confirm if the man who orders the cake is Billy De Wolfe? I've checked IMDB and there is no listing for him in the cast...but sure looks like him to me! Although this is much earlier than anything else listed in his credits by about 10 years.
adalb137 1 year ago
@adalb137
Not Billy De Wolfe, he was far taller for a start! and too young to have been in this really, despite the issue of Betty Grable's age!!
swallin19 10 months ago
@swallin19
Amazing resemblance though, right? Even sounds similar vocally. They could be brothers at least! lol
adalb137 10 months ago