Supelice Dreadfully Boring

ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Voxitype Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

Darin One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

mark.waltz In the 1952 comedy "Monkey Business", Charles Coburn told secretary Marilyn Monroe, "Go find somebody to type this!". Ginger Rogers played the wife of Cary Grant in that, but only 22 years before, she played a "stenog" even dumber than Monroe in one of her very first films, hired by uncle Frank Morgan in this comedy with songs that makes it seem like an overlong short. It reeks of bad office politics gone rancid as Rogers is made a pawn between partners Morgan and Charlie Ruggles who can't stand each other while finding romance with a songwriter she met on the subway.This was made around the same time that Rogers got a big Broadway break in "Girl Crazy", but like that show, she was second fiddle (even as the leading lady) thanks to a newcomer named Ethel Merman. Rogers isn't at fault here. She is directed as if in Helen Kane's shoes (who was also at Paramount and a bigger star), but unfortunately, what works for one poop-poop-de-doop song stylist doesn't work with Rogers. Even as one of the biggest gold diggers of 1933, she didn't make your skin crawl, but that is exactly what happens here, making it obvious that her future success in movie musicals wasn't instantly assured.Some old movies do score highly with Gracie Allen type dumbbells being smarter than their leading men, but Rogers is over the top and unbelievable in her idiocy. A few musical numbers thrown in for good measure prove to be bad inches. After only 35 minutes, I was ready to cash it in. A huge fan of Rogers, Morgan and Ruggles, I found this totally tedious. Wheeler and Woolsey did much better with virtually the same plot in one of their lesser movies ("On Again, Off Again") than the Morgan/Ruggles feud here. Ruggles did better as a boss with a dumbbell secretary, asking Jane Wyman in "The Doughgirls" (of all people) if she took dictation verbatim, only to have her respond, "No I do it word for word!".According to her autobiography, Ginger Rogers once reached out to Judy Garland in an effort to help her get through some hard times, but sadly in this movie, even the future "Wizard of Oz" couldn't help this turkey.

kidboots When Broadway patrons came out of "Queen High" (1926, 378 performances) they were chuckling at the genial folksy comedy of Charlie Ruggles, so in 1930 when Paramount decided to film the musical it was a "no brainer" that Ruggles would be cast in the role that made him a star. So even though the movie would be remembered as an early feature of Ginger Rogers, it was the rapid fire back and forth patter of Ruggles and Frank Morgan (not from the original stage cast) that gave the film popularity. Ruggles stars as T. Boggs Johns who is in partnership with George Nettleton (Morgan) in a garter and novelty business and their heated bickering sees them agree to a winner take all poker game - the winner gaining control of the business for a year, the loser having to become a butler in the winner's household!! In the meantime Ginger (who because of the film's being made at Paramount's New York Astoria Studio allowed her to continue her stage role in "Top Speed") - she plays Polly Nettleton and is in a secret romance (was there any other kind in a 1930 movie??) with Johns' nephew Dick (Stanley Smith who more than earned his salary at Paramount in 1930 !!) Polly is given the job of stenographer in her uncle's firm. Dick also has a job there and at first they think none too highly of each other - "flirty, half baked flapper" is how she is described by Dick!! Of course that is before they meet and when they do, in a crowded subway, it is love at first sight!! There is a terrific number to start things off - "Brother Just Laugh It Off" - there's Ginger in her cute "baby talk" voice, a harmony group and plenty of dancers demonstrating the Charleston!! The poker game is played, with Johns the loser but definitely not in the comedy stakes as Ruggles milks the demeaning demotion of butler for all the comedy it is worth. He also gets to perform "I Love a Girl in My Own Peculiar Way", hoping to discourage a very amorous parlour maid!! Meanwhile Polly and Dick continue their romance. "I'm Afraid of You" is sung as a duet at a restaurant but unfortunately, the hit song of the film "Seems to Me" was only given to Smith, it looked like Rogers was going to have a chorus but - nothing happened!! The real stars are Morgan and Ruggles - Johns' decides to try to romance Nettleton's nervous wife then realizes that Nettleton is making a shambles of the business. Then they both realize the bet isn't legal - it was all thought up by their lawyer to teach them a lesson!!Ginger was such a cutie in this but with two over the top comedy stars vying for top honours she would have to wait a couple more years for roles that would put her in the spotlight!!

perfectjazz78 This is a great comedy with a few songs, which pop up at just the right moment. Unlike many 1929-1930 musicals, the songs usually pertain to the action and fit right in. None of the melodies are intrusive: they fit right in and are played in the score.... which is better than most 1929-1930 films. Music is used for effect in several key comedy scenes. Also, this should be labeled one of the earliest screwball comedies. Ruggels and Morgan are great in their roles, and a VERY young Ginger Rogers is great as a cute flapper. You can also catch Elanor Powell dancing in one scene very briefly.It is a shame that this movie is not widely available, as I enjoyed it more than most musicals of the 1929-1930 cycle.

robluvthebeach The Stanford Theatre in Palo Alto showed this as their kick-off film in a Ginger Rogers Retrospective. A fun, fast-paced film with Ginger Rogers in a cute role as the female lead. Charles Ruggles and Frank Morgan play well off each other as rivals in work and romance. Betty Garde is a little over the top as a harassed maid. Her mugging and blank expressions are definitely from the old vaudeville school of acting. However, Ginger Rogers definitely shines as the female lead, playfully acting opposite Ruggles and Morgan. Also look for Nina Olivette (Mother of Dean Stockwell) in a saucy bit. Watch quickly for a bit by Eleanor Powell. This film will also be shown at Cinefest 2008.