Supelice Dreadfully Boring

Micransix Crappy film

Ezmae Chang This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Aspen Orson There is definitely an excellent idea hidden in the background of the film. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find it.

mark.waltz So proclaimed the advertising for this college comedy which simply switched the sport from the usual football. However, it's the usual silly story, same as "Good News", "Pigskin Parade" and even "Horse Feathers". Betty Grable, who lead cheers in "Pigskin Parade", is a school reporter here, rude to new dean William Henry who resigns and re-enters as a freshman (!), putting up with continual put-downs from Grable. She even tells him, "You're a black cat, a stepladder, three on a match all rolled into one." Little does she realize that he took the summer off and took up basketball. Minus songs and dances, this is enjoyable but slight; unrealistic yet fun. Thurstan Hall plays Henry's university president father who opposes school athletics, just another aging square standing in the way of youthful jubilance like old fogies have for years. Grable is charming even when being rather snotty. Eleanor Whitley is Grable's pal, getting high up billing but having nothing to do. That famous lip smacker, Fritz Feld, plays a Shakespeare quoting tailor nicknamed Lady MacBeth, giving some interesting insinuations. Some popular college basketball players of the time appear as player extra's. I'll give this pleasing but instantly forgettable film credit for one thing: it shows that nothing has changed for the young...well, maybe fashion, technology and lingo, but at least these young people (who would be nearing 100 years old today) really knew how to have fun. Eighty years later, not so much.

ellaf For those used to Technicolor Betty Grable musical vehicles of the 40's, this film has nothing to do with them, yet it was her first feature length movie with top-billing. Unfortunately, top-billing doesn't mean she has plenty to do with her part, which is rather decorative in the thin plot line. But what she does, she does it with her usual zest and charm. Her presence is even more refreshing and welcomed as she is almost the only female character among this almost all-male cast. Though filmed in black and white, one can see that she was very, very pretty and had an expressive face and eyes. We only wish she would toss, at least once in the movie, all those athletes on one side, take the floor and do some tap dance and sing! That, perhaps, is the thing that would have made this film good instead of only enjoyable.Now, for the film itself, let's say it's very watchable. With its mere 65 minutes, which is more than enough in that case, it's rather fast-paced and that in itself contributes greatly to a certain joy one can feel to see that film if one doesn't have too much expectations.Though advertised as a basketball movie or a campus caper at the time of it's release, I'd say it is more a movie about friendship among youngsters whatever their activities. Of course, the story evolves around basketball, but you don't have to be a fan of that sport to enjoy the film. Just watch, though, the scene in which all friends do a barbecue; it is quite sympathetic.As for the other main actors, William Henry is good. It's a shame he's been confined to B pictures most of his career because he's a good actor. I'm sure that with more pushing, he would have been well-known. And about Hank Luisetti, what can be said? His tall presence in the film (his only one!) has it's charm but he was not an actor, rather a real professional athlete very famous in his days. He has more the handsome looks of the perfect leading man for Betty Grable than William Henry has and one thinks and wishes, while looking at the advertisement and posters of the time on which he appears bathing-suit clad with Betty Grable besides a pool that he'd be the leading man and that we'd see more of him in every sens of the word but he's NOT the leading man and, though pleasant to the eyes, he seems camera shy each time he appears before it, clothed or not! In fact, his part is not very important in the movie. Too bad! All in all, the film is worth watching if only to catch a glimpse of the very beautiful and talented Betty Grable only a few years before she became THE Betty Grable.Enjoy!