Gale Storm was the brightest star that Monogram had - unfortunately, being Monogram, they didn't have the money or the power to promote her as she deserved. At 17 she won a "Gateway to Hollywood" radio contest and also a contract with RKO but by the early 1940s she was at Monogram and movies like "Campus Rhythm" (1943) and "Sunbonnet Sue" (1945) took advantage of her beauty and musical talents.
Unfortunately "Nearly Eighteen" was nearly bad in all departments. It's one memorable song "Feels Like I'm Walking On Air" was virtually thrown away - once in a "I've just written a song" way and another, at an audition when Jane had supposedly lost her confidence!! In spite of that it became a hit in it's day. Gale Storm was the one bright spot as Jane Stanton, a promising singer who after a melodious audition ("A Little Bell Rang"), the fact that she is "nearly eighteen" means she is too young to be hired at Gus's (Luis Alberni) club. After an employment mix-up where police are involved she is sent to Jack Leonard (William Henry) who runs a children's talent school where no one over 14 is admitted. It seems Jane is just an "inbetweener" but with the help of bows and bobbysox and a lot of imagination she manages to fool everyone but her audition of "Let Him Whistle" complete with wolf whistles from the young boys was definitely in poor taste.
There is some excellent tap dancing from some pretty talented youngsters, still Jack believes "little Jane" will be the school's shining star. Of course she can't stay a child forever and besides, Jack is beginning to fall for her and with his help and belief Jane finds the confidence to make a career as a night club singer!!
Storm is the only cast member of any note. Rick Vallin played sleazy Tony and his right hand man was George O'Hanlon who was better known as Joe McDoakes in Warner's short subject series "So You Want to .....".
Unfortunately "Nearly Eighteen" was nearly bad in all departments. It's one memorable song "Feels Like I'm Walking On Air" was virtually thrown away - once in a "I've just written a song" way and another, at an audition when Jane had supposedly lost her confidence!! In spite of that it became a hit in it's day. Gale Storm was the one bright spot as Jane Stanton, a promising singer who after a melodious audition ("A Little Bell Rang"), the fact that she is "nearly eighteen" means she is too young to be hired at Gus's (Luis Alberni) club. After an employment mix-up where police are involved she is sent to Jack Leonard (William Henry) who runs a children's talent school where no one over 14 is admitted. It seems Jane is just an "inbetweener" but with the help of bows and bobbysox and a lot of imagination she manages to fool everyone but her audition of "Let Him Whistle" complete with wolf whistles from the young boys was definitely in poor taste.
There is some excellent tap dancing from some pretty talented youngsters, still Jack believes "little Jane" will be the school's shining star. Of course she can't stay a child forever and besides, Jack is beginning to fall for her and with his help and belief Jane finds the confidence to make a career as a night club singer!!
Storm is the only cast member of any note. Rick Vallin played sleazy Tony and his right hand man was George O'Hanlon who was better known as Joe McDoakes in Warner's short subject series "So You Want to .....".