5.3
Satire on radio, built around the supposed feud between bandleader Ben Bernie and journalist Walter Winchell.
Walter Winchell
Walter Winchell
Ben Bernie
Ben Bernie and His Orchestra
Alice Faye
Alice Huntley
Patsy Kelly
Patsy Kane
Ned Sparks
Steve Cluskey
Jack Haley
Edward 'Eddie" Kane
Walter Catlett
Gus Avery
Grace Bradley
Jean Roberts
Joan Davis
Comic Spanish Dancer
Leah Ray
Cafe Singer
Miles Mander
James Stratton
Douglas Fowley
Herman
Etienne Girardot
Waldo Peebles
Barnett Parker
Foster
Paul Hurst
McCabe
Warren Hymer
Poker-Playing Thug
William Demarest
Radio Center Tour Guide
Harry Tyler
Flat Tire Motorist
Charles Williams
Charlie Alberts, Agent
Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson
Elevator Operator
George Chandler
Janitor
Wanda Perry
Chorus Girl (uncredited)
Director
Sidney Lanfield
Novel
Dorothea Brande
Story
Curtis Kenyon
Writer
Harry Tugend
Writer
Jack Yellen
April 4, 2022
5
Legend has it that wireless gossiper Walter Winchell and band leader Ben Bernie really did have a running feud. This film somewhat puts that myth to rest, but is does so in quite a quickly paced and amusing fashion. It all centres around "Eddie Kane" (Jack Haley) whom "Alice" (Alice Faye) tricks into singing for Bernie's band. Winchell sees a chance to show up his rival as the would-be singer won't pick up a live microphone so is monikered "The Phantom". Can she get him to fulfil his true potential and, of course, can he get the gal? Winchell, especially, is on good form here with some solid one-liners (though it is very easy to see why he was a radio star; he has virtually no facial expression at all) and the musical numbers are entertaining as the film progresses. The plot is entirely predictable, and the film far too long - but it does take a engaging swipe at radio in the 1930s, with everything sponsored by a soap, or a body lotion - all at the behest of the all powerful Hooper ratings that demonstrated just how powerful radio was as a medium for marketing then. The film is largely forgettable fayre, but at times it does raise a smile.
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00