1938's "Garden of the Moon" is a night club – a pretend night club in L.A. In the confines of this swanky club, most of the movie is set. Mind you, I don't know how the proprietors manage to keep the doors open since the club is way, way mismanaged by super ego Pat O'Brien. Fortunately, dictatorial Pat has an able assistant who can run interference in the person of super-lovely Margaret Lindsay, and best of all, he can deal himself some lucky publicity breaks from none other than radio's number one entertainment commentator, Jimmie Fidler, here making a rare cinema appearance. In fact, Fidler's presence alone makes this movie a must-see. On the other hand, I'm not a fan of Jerry Colonna, but at least he makes no secret of the fact that Jerry's greatest fan is himself. Fortunately, despite strenuous efforts, he doesn't get on my nerves too much in this one, though director Busby Berkeley does give him plenty of leeway. Next to Jimmie Fidler, the movie's greatest asset is John Payne who capitalizes on the good work he did in "Hat's Off" (1936). Incidentally, if you're looking for great Busby Berkeley production numbers, look elsewhere. There are no elaborate routines, classy camera-work or attenuated chorus lines (or in fact any chorus cuties at all) in this "Garden of the Moon". But there is Pat and Payne, pace, laughs, music and merriment. Available on an excellent Warner Archive DVD.
Review of Garden of the Moon
