(89 mins.) Released 1935-04-20
Director: Archie L. Mayo
Stars: Al Jolson, Ruby Keeler, Glenda Farrell, Barton MacLane
Bobby Connolly ... dances created and staged by; Oscar nom'd, see below
crime, drama, musical, romance
originally posted 26 Oct 2017 20:19
The song that lingers with me is About a Quarter to Nine, which AJ sings twice, RK dances to it, and they use it as dance music and background music. Clearly they're selling it, and I buy it.
Ruby's dancing is better than usual; they gave her something to do with her hands and/or choreographed them.
This is a backstager, but it's the established star who's fallen and struggles to rise again. Glenda Farrell is AJ's strong, smart sister. Helen Morgan sings The Little Things You Used to Do atop a piano; when dancing with AJ she's taller; she plays trouble in a skirt. RK eventually pairs up with AJ, and gets shot for her efforts. Arthur Treacher is onscreen briefly toward the beginning, playing with Glenda.
Near-BB spectacle created by Bobby Connolly, especially in the She's a Latin from Manhattan number with a large globe onstage. Aha! Bobby Connolly is Oscar nominated, Best Dance Direction for "Latin from Manhattan". Dave Gould won; nominees.
First National (WB), dir. Mayo, (Curtiz & Florey); 7-
My post on Oscar, Best Dance Direction, 1936-38
My post on Oscar, Best Dance Direction, 1936-38
