(80 mins.) Released 1934-06-01
Director: Alexander Hall
Stars: Adolphe Menjou, Dorothy Dell, Charles Bickford, Shirley Temple
Comedy | Drama | Family | Musical
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025410/
(Out of sequence because I just acquired this and Now and Forever.)
Shirley's 9th film (skipping one where her scenes were deleted), and the 5th of 9 released in 1934, but only 5 list her in their Soundtracks (with 1 song each). Notice that this (and N&F) are from Paramount, not Fox.
Well, I wouldn't count this as a musical. A couple of nightclub songs by the female lead and one by ST with her. No dancing, However, satisfying performances by Runyonesque folks, and ST can switch easily between newly minted tough and sweetness personified. Plot has gruesome elements and too-quick turns.
Oh, my! Dorothy Dell, the female lead, died before she could make the next ST movie, Now and Forever. She was only 19 (road accident)! She looks much older here, and sings well enough to give Alice Faye a run for her money. Neither of her other 2 movies are available now, although clip(s) are on YouTube.
Paramount, dir. Hall; 6+
