1h 12min | Comedy, Musical, Romance | 18 July 1941
Director: Irving Pichel
Stars: Carole Landis, Cesar Romero, William Henry
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0033507/
Watched online; ok video, bad audio.
I have to keep reminding myself that public domain does not mean bad movie. This, however, would not be an example to prove that.
Instead of the trite synopsis someone decided to post, it's more like this: dance hall manager CR is a womanizer. Singer CL is strong-minded and competent living her life. But when they first meet, he doesn't know she's been hired to sing at his joint; she's unimpressed by him, but knows he's about to be her boss. The pianist/band leader at the joint also is an aspiring composer.
The flirtations/clashes between CL & CR escalate so that CR points out how their iron-clad contract binds her there indefinitely. She's not willing to marry the well-off guy who tries to help her, but decides to help the pianist get to NYC and success, thereby ruining the joint and releasing her from the contract.
The pianist gets sent to NYC, but we don't actually see the club go under. I forget if CR & CL get together at the end.
CR displays very little of his usual charm, and we only see him social dance (at which he was excellent) for a few moments. CL sings 3 songs as the chanteuse. No dancing other than what the customers do without a choreographer. Irritating characters and plot.
Fox, dir. Pichel; 5
