7/10
a Jack Benny feature without Rochesterrrr
2 February 2009
Fun collection of stars! Jack Benny stars (without "Rochesterrrrr") in a love quadrangle, and right up to the end, we're not sure just who will end up with whom. Benny is Brewster, who handles the advertising for Alan Townsend (Richard Arlen). The lovely and talented women involved are Paula (Ida Lupino) and Cynthia (Gail Patrick). They sure got their money's worth out of Louis Armstrong and Martha Raye... they do a medley of songs and dance that just goes on and on....Martha Raye in blackface, which so many movies thought they had to do to be hip at the time. Look for Donald Meek as the doctor (worked with WC Fields and all the others) and Hedda Hopper as the rich society dame. Probably the best part of all this is Judy Canova, who sings a fun, lively, saucy number WHILE taking bubble bath. Too bad they didn't put her in more films. Look for a bit with Rube Goldberg. There's a cute bit with violins and orchestra instruments that play themselves. In several scenes, the audio is a little off from the video. Also, the ending is a little abrupt, but all the loose ends are neatly tied up. Lots of fun subtle jokes where Benny lets the costar tell the joke. Ongoing gag with the telephone, but you'll have to watch to hear it. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song "Whispers in the Dark".
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